Taking Back Sunday is and continues to be a staple of the emo band generation. A quick stop before they begin their summer tour with Bayside and wrapping back around to NY this fall, I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to see them do a one-off show here in Waterloo. Celebrating 20 years of Louder Now, I knew that the sold-out crowd was in for a treat.
Starting with hits “What’s It Feel Like To Be A Ghost” and “Liar (It Takes One To Know One)”, the crowd continued to flow in and packed The Vine. Adam Lazzara sang and danced along with his signature microphone swings. We all remembered why we fell in love with their discography, song after song. With summer on our horizon, “You’re So Last Summer” hit a little harder this time. The crowd engaged the band as they went along, knowing fans were solely there to see them, and them alone. The band made us laugh between songs, and reminded us of the long drives we’d blast their summer anthems.
Fans surged with excitement when they started the notes to “Brooklyn (if You See Something, Say Something)” with this being its first performance in over 10 years. TBS had saved this little surprise, and fans were not disappointed as they sang in tune. Nostalgia nipped my ear with my personal favorite “Cute Without the E(Cut From The Team)” opening notes rang through the room. It’s incredible how this band has continued to grow as musicians over the years and yet still hold their space as way makers for the millennial generation’s emo music.
Taking Back Sunday made damn sure we didn’t forget who they were, and that they plan to stay. They will always remain an OG for me, as I’ve listened to this band since I was 12 and I have enjoyed the few times I have been able to see this band live. If you missed this show, they’re circling back around to Buffalo to continue their Louder Now celebration with Thrice and Saves the Day on Sept 29th. Do not miss this leg of their tour because I have a feeling it’s going to be monumental, especially with that lineup. I hope to see you there!
Amanda Miller
Concert Reviewer and Photographer for Good News York
*Special thanks to Becky at Big Picture Media for the accreditations.
