Bayside returned to Philly this past week for a two night stand celebrating their music both old and new. i99Radio was on the scene to capture night one of two. For the first night, Bayside brought songs from their early years, 2004 to 2008. For many of us, it takes us back instantly to the songs of our childhood, middle and high school years, and the audience spanning Gen X to Gen Alpha came ready to rock.

Long Island, NY’s The Sleeping started the night off and brought their unique blend of post-hardcore and raw energy to the stage that really got the audience going. People thrashed around and sang along, and even a toddler hopping up on his dad’s shoulders to get a better view of frontman Doug Robinson, who climbed up to the barrier, putting his microphone up to fans to sing along with them, and eventually even crowdsurfing above their heads at one point. The band has been experiencing a revival since their reunion in 2022 and their fantastic newest album, “I Feel Like I’m Becoming a Ghost”, dropping in 2023.

Bayside then took the stage, kicking off their set with the classic track, “Montauk”, from their second self-titled album. Frontman Anthony Ranieri commented how their idea for the “Errors Tour” came about when they wanted to play 44 songs in each city, instead of just 22. He talked about how the band has so many songs that fans love from all across their career, but not enough time to play them all, so they thought, “why not just play 2 nights in every city?”

The night of classic nostalgia continued on, with the band delivering high-energy versions of much loved tracks from their third album, 2007’s “The Walking Wounded”, like “Duality”, “I and I”, and the ballad “Landing Feet First” (of which started a massive audience singalong). The band also reached far back in their discography, playing tracks from their first years as a band, like “Masterpiece”, “Guardrail” and “Kellum”, off of the first album, 2004’s “Sirens and Condolences.” The audience was audibly excited by this, as these tracks are very rarely played live. The audience cheered loudly and unleashed a constant stream of crowd-surfers to the front of stage as they ripped through these classic tracks. The “newest” songs they played for night 1 were tracks from 2008’s classic album, “Shudder”, like “Boy”, “No One Understands” and “The Ghost of St. Valentine”. Again, many of these tracks haven’t been played since the Shudder Tour in 2008 so hearing these songs was certainly a treat for the audience.

Bayside’s show at Brooklyn Bowl was a testament to how the songs we grew up with are forever engrained in our DNA, the music grows with us and becomes a part of us as we grow older, but we never forget the songs that influenced us almost two decades ago. The 1,000 people in the audience who turned up to sing every word of these songs that are almost 20 years old now proves this to be true and Bayside to be a band close to so many people’s hearts.

Photos by Dave Avidan

Last night, Dashboard Confessional delivered a heartfelt and nostalgic performance at The Met in Philadelphia, reminding everyone why they’ve been a staple in the emo and alternative rock scene for over two decades. Frontman Chris Carrabba, with his raw vocals and emotional intensity, captivated a crowd of dedicated fans who knew every lyric by heart.

The night began on an intimate note as Carrabba took the stage solo for the opening song, The Best Deceptions, setting the emotional tone for what was to follow. From there, the energy built as the full band joined for fan-favorites like Again I Go Unnoticed and Don’t Wait. Carrabba’s ability to seamlessly blend vulnerability with anthemic power was on full display, especially in tracks like The Sharp Hint of New Tears and Remember to Breathe, which struck a chord with longtime fans.

Dashboard Confessional

The setlist was a perfect mix of early classics and more recent hits. The middle section, featuring songs like Carry This Picture and Saints and Sailors, showcased the band’s versatility, moving from soft, acoustic-driven melodies to more full-band, dynamic arrangements. One of the night’s highlights came during Stolen, a song that had the entire venue singing along, creating a memorable and unified moment.

As the set progressed, the intensity only grew. Screaming Infidelities and Vindicated were crowd-pleasers, with Carrabba’s impassioned delivery igniting a sense of shared catharsis among the audience. After a brief exit, the band returned for an encore, closing the night with the iconic Hands Down. The song’s triumphant chorus echoed throughout the venue, leaving the crowd with an undeniable sense of satisfaction and a shared connection.

Throughout the night, the passion and sincerity of both Carrabba and the audience were palpable. The Met, with its beautiful acoustics and historic atmosphere, was the perfect setting for such an emotional and intimate show.

Photos of the night, which capture the raw emotion and electric energy of the performance, will be posted throughout this article, with a full gallery at the end.

Setlist:

  1. The Best Deceptions (solo)
  2. Again I Go Unnoticed
  3. Don’t Wait
  4. The Sharp Hint of New Tears
  5. The Good Fight
  6. Southbound and Sinking
  7. Turpentine Chaser
  8. Carry This Picture
  9. Saints and Sailors
  10. Remember to Breathe
  11. Stolen
  12. The Swiss Army Romance
  13. Watch the Fire
  14. Screaming Infidelities
  15. Vindicated
    Encore:
  16. Hands Down

Carrabba’s connection with the crowd, the nostalgic setlist, and the emotional intensity made this a night to remember for all in attendance. Dashboard Confessional continues to prove why they remain a defining voice in the emo and alternative rock genres.

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