Cool
by Grungybastard on 4/9/25Jannus Live - St PetersburgRating: 5 out of 5I liked it. My ears are still ringing. Fun high energy.
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Lineup
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The Norva
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Toads Place - CT
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Add-Ons
Add-Ons
Special Entry
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Add-Ons
For more than two decades, Anberlin have remained a formidable force in the alt-rock world, boasting a wildly devoted fanbase who've come to rely on the raw cathartic power of their music. On the massively anticipated Vega--the first album in ten years from vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young--the Florida-bred band deliver a body of work forged with an explosive new energy, thanks in part to the addition of singer Matty Mullins (the Memphis May Fire frontman who's stepped in as live vocalist for Anberlin, following Christian's announcement that he'll no longer tour full-time). The latest triumph in an extraordinary career that's included selling over 1.5 million albums in the U.S. alone and turning out hits like the No. 1 Alternative Radio smash "Feel Good Drag," Vega reveals a band whose creative passion and one-of-a-kind vision have only grown stronger over time.
Arriving on the heels of two back-to-back EPs--2022's Silverline and 2023's Convinced--Vega emerged from a period of unbridled creativity for Anberlin, who parted ways soon after 2014's Lowborn and reunited for a series of lockdown-era livestreams. In bringing their new album to life, the band embraced a deliberately free-flowing and DIY approach, building up songs in McAlhaney's garage before self-producing the LP at Tampa's Feral Sound Studios. "In the past we'd sometimes limit our sound to some preconceived idea of what Anberlin is supposed to be," says McAlhaney. "This time the mantra was, 'If it feels good, let's try it.' Because at the end of the day, Anberlin is whatever we say it is." As a result, Vega encompasses everything from the shout-along-ready pop perfection of "Walk Alone" to the brutally heavy intensity of "Seven" (a shapeshifting and strangely enthralling epic featuring a savage vocal performance from Mullins). "I think after spending time apart we came back with a new perspective, where we were all just excited to work together and create the best songs we can," says Young. "No one was precious about their ideas; it was all about making something that feels new and risky and like nothing we've ever done before."
As they get set to embark on the 20 Years of Tears amphitheater tour with Thursday, Hawthorne Heights, and Saosin--a 56-date run that marks their most extensive tour in a decade--Anberlin look forward to the pure thrill of performing their new material for their longtime legion of fans. "We've had so many people tell us things like, 'Your songs got me through a really difficult time in my life,' or 'You guys are what made me pick up a guitar and start my own band,'" says Rexroat. "It's an incredible feeling to know that we've impacted other people on that level--the amount of love we've felt is undeniable, and it's one of the main reasons we've kept going for as long we have."
Never Take Friendship Personal
Encore
Never Take Friendship Personal
Encore
Encore
Encore
I liked it. My ears are still ringing. Fun high energy.
Matty brings the energy to Anberlin. Fun show, great album. Wish the set was a little longer.
Great show. Knew exactly when Anberlin went on so we did not have to stand through 2 bad opening acts. Great surprise when Stephen Christian came out to sing unwinding cable car.
Tickets were cheap and easy to buy. Parking was a hassle but that's the loop in general, venue was nice and small, good for a more intimate time, merch was cheap, and the bands all sounded great and put on a great show. What more could ask for? (Anberlin was the best though)
With the integration of a new singer, can make a life long fan apprehensive. We have an expectation that’s developed over the years. Well, at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, MN, expectations were crushed! Every thing was on point. It was great to hear Copeland’s lead singer joke around about the 20 of aging. However, as expected, Anberlin stole the spotlight as a headliner should. It was hit after hit and the new lead singer was amazing. My only complaint is that it didn’t last longer.
Anberlin was awesome and Matty Mullins singing killed it! left a star off cause I wish it had been at First Ave or the Armory as those venue sound quality is WAY WAY higher.
The energy was good. The sound at The Varsity was ok. Muddy and needing more high end. But the set felt very short. It felt like a missed opportunity to revisit a classic album and then play more songs with the new lead singer. Many people travelled hundreds of miles for the show only to feel a little disappointed.
We purchase upgraded premium balcony. And we got there early enough to have enough space. The opening bands were really great, but Anberlin brought the energy for the night. I have never missed an Anberlin concert when they have come to SLC and I don't ever plan to. The server was really attentive and kept asking if we needed anything.
I went to see the opening band and they were fantastic. I see Spitalfield every time they come to Colorado!
Great show! Easy entry to the venue and lots of nostalgic energy!