If things seemed quiet over the summer here at Collections, it's because they were; aside from the wonderful Underoath/Ghost Inside tour at the end of the July, my concertgoing schedule was fairly light. That will be changing rather quickly, as later this week I'll be attending my first post-Labor Day concert, with over a dozen more lined up behind it. A packed fall concert schedule is always a good thing, as long as you're not looking at your bank account balance with any regularity. Or maybe you are, and you're just trying to experience as much greatness as possible like I am. Either way, here's the key shows happening in and around New Jersey, New York City, and eastern Pennsylvania between now and the end of the year. Meet me in the mosh pit.
WHO/WHAT: Sleep Token
WHEN: Saturday, September 9
WHERE: Union Transfer, Philadelphia PA
WHY: The fastest-rising metal act of the year is crossing the pond for its first-ever US headlining tour, which will feature festival appearances at Riot Fest and Blue Ridge Rock Festival. Don't bother looking for tickets through the typical means for these shows, as Sleep Token's entire run of dates sold out within hours of general onsale. Given the fervor the band's fans have acted with at every turn since the band surprise-released "Chokehold" in January, it's likely that the energy at these shows will be unforgettable. Philadelphia seems to have an advantage, though, because they'll be flocking to Union Transfer, the nicest venue in the city, and a perfect setting for Sleep Token's atmospheric metal.
WHO/WHAT: All Time Low
WHEN: Saturday, September 16
WHERE: Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ
WHY: All Time Low's new album Modern Love certainly bolstered the band's discography, and they'll be unleashing some of those new tracks at their self-proclaimed favorite venue across two nights. Starland Ballroom crowds and All Time Low are perfect for one another, as the Jersey fans and the band themselves always make for a great evening. It'll also be really nice to see Gym Class Heroes back onstage again, as they're returning from a long hibernation.
WHO/WHAT: Scranton Apocalypse Festival featuring Motionless in White
WHEN: Saturday, September 16 (note: this is a direct conflict with the All Time Low concert mentioned earlier.)
WHERE: The Pavillion at Montage Mountain, Scranton PA
WHY: Seeing a band play a show in their hometown can be a very special endeavor, and Motionless in White, who are enjoying their biggest crowds in their decade-plus-long career, have upped the stakes this time around. In addition to playing with the rest of the bands on their Touring the End of the World Tour (Knocked Loose, After the Burial, and Alpha Wolf), they'll also be joined by each band on the Montsers of OZ tour, featuring such Australian Metalcore giants as The Amity Affliction and Parkway Drive. It's a festival that's sure to be a day full of headbanging, and should leave attendees feeling like they've traveled back in time for on final summer at the Warped Tour.
WHO/WHAT: The Band CAMINO
WHEN: Tuesday, September 19
WHERE: Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ
WHY: After releasing another excellent collection of pop-rock anthems (this one was called The Dark, and came out in August), The Band CAMINO are playing Starland for the second time in as many years. This year's crowd will have stiff competition if they're going to outdo last year's, but with new tracks like "Told You So" and "What Am I Missing?" getting added to the setlist, there will be plenty of opportunities to build on the momentum already established. One thing that this year's show has a distinct advantage is in CAMINO's direct support, as fellow pop-rock hitmakers Bad Suns will also be taking the stage. It'll be a night full of anthems, and that should be more than enough reason to get people to Sayreville on a school night.
WHO/WHAT: Movements
WHEN: Saturday, September 23
WHERE: The Fillmore, Philadelphia PA
WHY: Movements have fully realized their potential on their new album RUCKUS!, and that makes their first headlining tour in support of it a must-see. You know songs like "Daylily" and "Tunnel Vision" will send crowds into a frenzy, but I'm most excited to see what the responses to "Lead Pipe" and "Fail You" will look like. Support from Mannequin Pussy, softcult, and Heart To Gold is yet another reason that the crown princes of emo should be fit into your fall schedule at any cost.
WHO/WHAT: The Metalcore Dropouts Tour
WHEN: Friday, September 29
WHERE: Playstation Theater, New York City
WHY: Featuring coheadliners Fit for a King and The Devil Wears Prada, the Metalcore Dropouts Tour has a chance to stand up to the Touring the End of the World Tour or the Monsters of OZ Tour for most people headbanging per capita. The presence of Counterparts and LVNDMVRKS only adds to the brutality, so you'll need to make sure you're in the venue as soon as the music starts when the Dropouts roll in. Plus, you're going to get your money's worth from each of the headliners: Fit for a King's bassist has been known to swing his bass across his body (sometimes a dozen times in a row!), and I've been saying for years that no band plays a single song better at a live show than TDWP plays "Sacrifice." Missing this one is simply not an option for me.
WHO/WHAT: Thursday
WHEN: Saturday, September 30
WHERE: Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ
WHY: After reading through Dan Ozzi's Sellout and Chris Payne's Where Are Your Boys Tonight? this summer, it has become abundantly apparent to me that I haven't given Thursday the attention they deserved. To hear so many fellow legends of emo throw flowers at the New Jersey-based post-hardcore band's feet was inspiring, and I've now decided that I need to make up for lost time. September provides a great opportunity to do so, as the band plays Starland alongside Sparta and the punk/hardcore outfit Koyo, who will have just released their debut full-length earlier in the month. A stacked bill at a legendary NJ venue for a legendary NJ band? If only every other part of life was so simple to schedule.
WHO/WHAT: Dance Gavin Dance
WHEN: Saturday, September 30 (note: this show is in direct conflict with the Thursday show that was previously mentioned)
WHERE: Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park NJ
WHY: While I did just mention that I'm trying to get into Thursday a bit more, Dance Gavin Dance seems to be hellbent on preventing that from happening. After a tumultuous 2022, the band are on the road again to support their newest release Jackpot Juicer, and an eclectic lineup featuring the Japanese band SIM, Rain City Drive (formerly known as Slaves), and Within Destruction. While I haven't been as tuned into DGD in recent months, the opportunity to see them at the Stone Pony Summer Stage, New Jersey's greatest concert venue, is going to be difficult to pass up. I should note as well that the band will be hosting their annual Swanfest in Philadelphia the following day, but I chose to highlight this one because it adheres to my schedule better.
WHO/WHAT: The Aces
WHEN: Wednesday, October 11
WHERE: Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn NY
WHY: The Aces have leveled up their sound with I've Loved You for so Long, which is also their most vulnerable and revealing songwriting to date, and they're going to be playing intimate venues across the US to celebrate. Based on footage I've seen from the band's recent UK tour, it appears that the new songs have resonated deeply with the band's fans, so there's a good chance that this will be a very cathartic evening, and a great excuse to head to Brooklyn for a show, something I've yet to accomplish. If you can't make this one, The Aces will also be playing in Philadelphia on 10/13.
WHO/WHAT: Thrice's The Artist in the Ambulance 20-Year Anniversary Tour
WHEN: Thursday, October 12
WHERE: Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ
WHY: Thrice begain 2023 by playing to sold-out venues in support of their landmark release The Artist in the Ambulance. Now, similarly to Taylor Swift adding more dates to her Eras Tour, Thrice are hitting up spots they missed along the first one, and chose Starland Ballroom as the New Jersey venue to best suit the playthrough of the post-hardocre classic. While spring tour openers Holy Fawn will be missed, the NJ crowd will be treated to '68, a wonderfully energetic band who will have a new album out by the time they take Starland by storm. I was able to attend the first leg of the tour (review of the Philly show here!), and I'm strongly considering running it back.
WHO/WHAT: Holy Fawn
WHEN: Friday, October 13
WHERE: First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia PA
WHY: A band who have a flair occult imagery and atmospheric doom-meets-shoegaze music playing a show on Friday the 13th in the basement of a church. Do you really need anything else to convince you to go to this show? Okay, fine: Caracara is opening the show, and they've got one of the greatest emo songs ever written ("Better") in their arsenal. See you there.
WHO/WHAT: Tigers Jaw
WHEN: Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14
WHERE: Crossroads, Garwood NJ
WHY: I was able to attend a Tigers Jaw show at Crossroads already this year, and I also caught them at the same venue last year. There may not be a better combination of band and venue in the scene right now, due to the simple fact that Tigers Jaw seems to make each and every show they play at Crossroads special. Earlier this year, the band played on St. Partick's day, and surprised the crowd by playing their self-titled album front-to-back. Will we get another album playthrough this time around? No matter what the answer is, you'll wish you were there if you don't get your tickets soon.
WHO/WHAT: The Wonder Years's The Greatest Generation 10-Year Anniversary Tour
WHEN: Sunday, October 22
WHERE: Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ
WHY: The Wonder Years are perhaps the greatest export of the pop-punk renaissance in the early 2010s, and they're touring behind the greatest album of their career. What else could you ask for? Besides three promising up-and-comers in Sweet Pill, Anxious, and Action/Adventure, because TWY already thought of that.
WHO/WHAT: Have Mercy's The Earth Pushed Back 10-Year Anniversary Tour
WHEN: Saturday, November 4
WHERE: Sultan Room, Brooklyn NY
WHY: Have Mercy's career has taken one of the most winding paths of any band in the scene, but they've been able to steady themselves enough to play two separate strings of dates to celebrate their landmark effort The Earth Pushed Back. We got some new music from the band last year, and they've also stated that they've completed work on their next full-length, so it's possible that this is simply the ground level of the band's second-act ascension.
WHO/WHAT: The Menzingers
WHEN: Sunday, November 12
WHERE: Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia PA
WHY: The Menzingers are one of the most active touring bands in punk over the last 10 years, and I'll take any opportunity I can get to see them. In this case, they'll be touring fresh off the release of their new album Some of it Was True in October, and they're bringing along Microwave, Cloud Nothings, and Rodeo Boys. It's sure to be a night of great rock music even before the Menzos take the stage, and once they do, it's sure to be a night to remember. I should also note that the band is also playing the day before in Queens, NY at the Knockdown Center, but this date works a little better with my schedule.
WHO/WHAT: The Hotelier/Foxing's Home, Like Noplace is There/The Albatross 10-Year Anniversary Tour
WHEN: Friday, November 17
WHERE: Racket NYC, New York City
WHY: The two albums perhaps most responsible with the term "emo revival" becoming part of the zeitgeist turn 10 this year, and somehow, the bands are touring together and playing each album front to back. There are a lot of great tours this fall, but this one feels like it's a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Be aware, however, that there hasn't been a supporting band announced for this tour, so it's possible that one of the co-headliners takes the stage first.
WHO/WHAT: Citizen
WHEN: Sunday, November 19
WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl Philly, Philadelphia PA
WHY: After a string of dates to celebrate Youth's 10-year anniversary, Citizen are now more focused on their present than their past, touring this fall in support of their new album Calling the Dogs, which is expected to be released in October. True to their fashion, they're taking two bands that they haven't toured with before, Narrow Head and Modern Color, once again providing their fans with an opportunity to discover new music. If these new songs pop off the way the songs on Youth did earlier in the year, Citizen will be firing on all cylinders this fall.
WHO/WHAT: Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
WHEN: Friday, November 24
WHERE: Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ
WHY: This is likely due to my reading of his memoir Three Pianos earlier this year, but I'm all in on Andy Mac these days. I've yet to see him live, and a Black Friday date in New Jersey feels like the perfect time to see him. Plus, direct supporting act Michigander is a fantastic live act, so it should be a night of great music throughout to help you sweat out that Thanksgiving meal.
WHO/WHAT: Deafheaven's Sunbather 10-Year Anniversary Tour
WHEN: Tuesday, November 29
WHERE: Theater of the Living Arts, Philadelphia PA
WHY: What I believe to be the final anniversary tour of the year is perhaps the most powerful of them all. I don't know that they ever actually attempted to, but when they released Sunbather, Deafheaven changed what metal could sound like for a lot of people. They've since made their entire career about expanding their sound, but for this tour, now that the Infinite Granite cycle is winding down, they're returning to the album that jettisoned them to the band critics and fans alike adore now. With support from Touche Amore, the crowds will be well-prepared for Deafheaven to pulverize them with one of the most anticipated sets of the season.
WHO/WHAT: Knuckle Puck/Real Friends Co-Headlining Tour
WHEN: Friday, December 8
WHERE: Theater of the Living Arts, Philadelphia PA
WHY: Take off work, skip class, abandon your loved ones (if they don't want to come with you), do whatever you need to do to get to these shows as early as possible. You simply cannot afford to miss Arm's Length, the world's best young emo band, opening up the evening on this tour. Their album Never Before Seen, Never Again Found was an instant-classic, and the reactions I've seen from crowds they've played to since have shown me that they're going to be headlining their own tours very soon. If you're able to catch their set, you'll be rewarded with a night full of pop-punk anthems from One Step Closer, another great young band, and Real Friends and Knuckle Puck, who have each turned in careers to be proud of. A mix of bands young and old always makes for a great crowd in Philly, and I'm excited to see how it all mixes together on this tour.
WHO/WHAT: The Maine's Sweet 16 Tour
WHEN: Saturday, December 9
WHERE: Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia PA
WHY: 16 years as a band is certainly an accomplishment, but The Maine's 16 years have been quite a ride in particular. Almost washed away in the neon era, they've reinvented themselves countless times, and are now established as one of the most consistent acts in emo. It seems like each album will get its own chance to shine throughout the band's set, so whenever you checked into the band's career, there's a great chance you get to hear a lot of your favorites. That said, the band's self-titled album has grown more and more on me with each listen, so I'll be most excited to see how those songs flow into their set, even if I'm secretly pumped to see "Girls Do What They Want." That said, we are seeing them in December... is there a chance we get some songs from the Ho Ho Hopefully EP?
While I must give myself some credit for the amount of research I did to make this preview as comprehensive as possible. That being said, I'm sure the first thing I hear in response to this post is going to be that I missed out on a great show, so if you think that I did, you are more than welcome to let me know on Twitter/X. Hope to see you at a show soon!
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