Taking Back Sunday. Easily one of the greatest and most revolutionary bands of the current alt scene. I grew up with them, they've shaped a lot of who and what I am. Tell All Your Friends came out in 2002, and I still remember buying it circa 2006. I even own it on vinyl. I've seen the band countless times, but never like this.
The 'Tell All Your Friends' Tour was the greatest show I have ever been to.
TBS never disappoints. I've seen 'em at Warped Tour, big open venues, and small enclosed spaces. However, the large theatre-shaped venue was an interesting opportunity. The crowd pushed forward, anxious and powerful and intense; the roaring of the crowd caused more ringing in my ears than what was coming out of the speakers.
They opened with "What's It Feel Like To Be A Ghost?", and everyone just went mental. Adam was swinging his mic about and the band was all smiles. I've never been to a show with as much crowd participation in my entire life. It was stunning. I think the band was a bit taken aback, too. An overwhelming amount of noise and motion and excitement ensued.
People online were being sassy about the band opening up with a couple songs not from 'TAYF' saying "they don't understand the concept of an album tour", but I thought it was really cool. Instead of playing ten songs and leaving, they played a few new and old tunes, including "MakeDamnSure" and "El Paso".
When the band went into "You Know How I Do", the first song on 'TAYF', I thought everyone was just going to explode. If it was loud before, that was silence compared to now. I was right up there with the rest of the crowd- this was the song that introduced the record. THIS was the song that was so iconic. I remember putting this CD in my walkman for the first time, turning it up, and hearing the opening riff to this tune. It brought tears to my eyes because I was feeling so nostalgic. It was everything I wanted and more.
The coolest part of the show was during "Timberwolves At New Jersey", my personal favourite song on the album. Adam was off the stage, and suddenly, he was on the balcony! (See video attached). I couldn't help but dance and sing and it was the highlight of the evening. It was so cool to see Adam right in the crowd, interacting and letting others sing into the mic. It was one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time.
No amount of words can express what this band, this show, has done for me and countless others. The band was impeccable; every note, every beat, every moment was spot on, locked in, polished and precise. Adam's voice sounded like he was ill, but that didn't stop him. I walked away so impressed and deeply satisfied.
Check out Adam in the below video as he rocks out on the balcony.
"We won't stand for hazy eyes anymore."
Setlist:
What's It Feel Like To Be A Ghost?
A Decade Under The Influence
Faith (When I Let You Down)
Liar (It Takes One To Know One)
One-Eighty By Summer
El Paso
Error: Operator
MakeDamnSure
You Know How I Do
Bike Scene
Cute Without The 'E' (Cut From The Team)
There's No 'I' In Team
Great Romances of the 20th Century
Ghost Man On Third
Timberwolves At New Jersey
The Blue Channel
You're So Last Summer
Head Club
Your Own Disaster
The Ballad of Sal Villanueva