activemirror @ The New Colossus Festival 2026
Photo Credit: Liz McCarthy
activemirror is the electrifying post-punk act from the Caribbean island of Aruba. The four-piece band is Liam Sean Kelly on vocals, Me'Shaq Richardson on guitar, Elias Janssen on bass and Marco Henriquez Alva on drums. Last year, the band self-released their debut album Though The Night Is Not Over. Kelly’s sharp observations are delivered with a real charisma. The instrumentation underlines his every word, their sound a blend of post-punk pioneers Joy Division and revivalists Interpol. Their set at The New Colossus was so good, we had to catch it twice!
We caught up with activemirror after their set to talk ice skating, songwriting, the meaning of music and more.
activemirror (@active_mirror)
Homebase: Aruba, Caribbean
What does music mean to you?
Liam: A means to express what I cannot in everyday life
Me'Shaq: A way to communicate my emotions.
Elias: A way to project thoughts.
Marco: Music transcends time. That’s why it’s important to create music that is everlasting.
What’s your songwriting process?
Liam: The process starts with consuming other forms of media (movies, books, songs, poems) and making a story out of your own experience.
Me'Shaq: It varies, sometimes i listen to an album and i get inspired or sometimes i hear background music in an ad or a TV show and i get an idea from it.
Elias: Bring whatever ideas to life.
Marco: A magician never reveals his secrets.
What’s one thing you always take with you when you head out on tour?
Liam: Something with nicotine.
Me'Shaq: My hair locking gel.
Elias: My bass.
Marco: It has to be my chipped 22” ride cymbal. I’ve had it since I was 15. That’s my ol’ reliable.
How do you approach translating your recorded music for your live shows?
Liam: By allowing the song to take different forms. It is a bit boring I find to play the same thing note for note, that’s just a 9-5.
Me'Shaq: By experimenting at live shows and making it a bit more of a theatrical performance instead of just playing the songs as they are.
Elias: Try to replicate the sound to our liking, and just have fun.
Marco: By bringing as much energy as I can.
Outside of the festival, what was the best moment you had visiting New York?
Liam: Visiting Bua Bar, which was at one point the Sin-é, where Jeff Buckley used to play. Pretty haunting.
Me'Shaq: Me and Eli went ice skating. Fell down a few times, but it was very fun
Elias: Ice skating.
Marco: Seeing my parents again after a long time. They came out to see us at Pianos Upstairs so I dedicated my performance to them.
You can listen to activemirror’s latest single Akkadian Love on all streaming services. Follow the band on Instagram. If you’re in Canada, go see activemirror on tour this spring! Dates are below:
4/10 - Edmonton, AB, CA @ Dive Bar / Hi-Light Festival
5/9 - Toronto, ON, CA @ The Sound Garage / Departure Festival
6/10-14 - Toronto, ON, CA @ NXNE Festival