Words and photos covered for New Noise Magazine. Original posting can be seen here complete photo gallery below.

Not a lot of emo/pop-punk/punk bands come through North West Arkansas, usually, Arkansas is a state that is skipped entirely. However, whenever a show does happen in the area, fans come out in droves, and that is what happened at the Taking Back Sunday show in Fayetteville, AR at JJ’s Live. The place was packed way before doors opened and surprisingly this wasn’t Taking Back Sunday’s first time in the area, they played in the area in 2018 with Coheed & Cambria. It’s been 6 years, but as I said, tours like this don’t always come around this area often.

The opener for this tour is Citizen who has been a staple in the scene for quite some time and still making waves. When singer Mat Kerekes asked if there were any fans in the audience, a good number of hands went up and when the song “The Night I Drove Alone” played it was clear there were a lot more fans in the room. Citizen’s set was mostly focused on their latest album Calling The Dogs, where at least 5 out of the 10 songs played were from that album. Even though Calling The Dogs is worlds away from their first album Youth, hearing songs from Calling The Dogs live is a different experience. These songs still bring that incredible energy to a live setting that Citizen is known for.

It is safe to say that Taking Back Sunday is a band that will be here for years to come. They are constantly putting out albums that resonate with fans and their live shows are always something to witness. Their newest album 152, may also be their best work. A 10-song album just over a half hour that showcases not only who Taking Back Sunday is, but also what they are becoming. There are some things on the album that they have never done before, but it fits their style perfectly.

As for their current live show, this show was a greatest hits sort of setlist that touched on all the fan favorites, but also showcased that the newer songs fit nicely next to “A Decade Under The Influence” and “Flicker, Fade”. Their stage show has steps that when you watch Adam Lazzara go up and down them wearing his maroon-colored blazer while dancing, you immediately have that scene from Todd Phillips’ Joker flash in your mind. It is the scene where Joaquin Phoenix is dancing up and down the stairs in the Bronx with a smile on his face. Not sure if this was Adam’s intention, but when you think about it, with his stage demeanor, he could make a good Joker.

With all that said, 152 is an album that came out seven years after their last album and it was worth the wait to hear these songs live. This tour in support of the album is not short either, for it goes on from now until August just in North America alone. This show was only the second date of the tour and you’d be remorseful if you missed it. Taking Back Sunday is the best they’ve ever been, and this tour is a must-see.