Taking Back Sunday Celebrated 20 Years of “Louder Now” in Royal Oak wsg Bayside

Jun 16

Taking Back Sunday celebrated 20 years of their hit-filled album “Louder Now” on Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Music Theater in a career-spanning show.

Opening the night was Bayside, fellow veterans of the punk/emo scene. They performed with confidence that only decades of experience can bring. The crowd was instantly engaged;singing, dancing, and head banging along to the anthemic punk rock tunes with guitar riffs and solos worthy of arenas.

“Montauk” was a highlight of the set with the entire crowd singing along. Even when the group slowed things down with an acoustic guitar fronted “Don’t Call Me Mr. Peanut” the crowd stayed fully locked in. Finishing up with “Blame it on Bad Luck” and “Devotion and Desire” left the crowd roaring for more and completely geared up for the headlining act, Taking Back Sunday.

”I’ve been in this city with Fred Mascherino on guitar, and I’ve been in this city with John Nolan on guitar… but I’ve never been in this city with Fred Mascherino AND John Nolan on guitar!” Fans of Taking Back Sunday will know just how big of a deal that statement from frontman Adam Lazzara is. It’s no secret that the band has had its share of lineup changes, but with Mascherino and Nolan being responsible for many of the bands biggest hits, having them perform together feels like the ultimate version of Taking Back Sunday.

The set list touches on Taking Back Sunday’s entire history, playing iconic tracks from their oldest albums to their latest, really putting on display just how pivotal the group is to the music scene. The emphasis was placed on Louder Now with the band pulling out tracks that were not often played up until now, such as “Up Against” and “Brooklyn”. They of course played the songs that the crowd anticipates hearing, “Liar”, “MakeDamnSure”, “Cute without the ‘E’” and “You’re So Last Summer” send the crowd into a singing and dancing frenzy.

The band perform with so much energy, both sonically and physically. Lazzara dances around stage with his signature groove, and thought was clearly put in to the choreography and staging in order to match the intricate light show. The music itself is so dynamic, with the band able to pick up the pace or slow it down to equal effect.

Approaching nearly 30 years in the game, Taking Back Sunday prove that they’ve earned every bit of recognition on this tour, and continue to bring energy, hunger and enthusiasm of a band fresh on the scene. On this Summer tour, there isn’t much more that a fan of Taking Back Sunday could ask for.

Taking Back Sunday