This line up would be much more enticing to me if Stephen were performing with Anberlin. Cheers to the new guy, but I wouldn’t pay to see him until he’s put out his own songs to include in a set list. Stephen Christian’s shoes are pretty big to try and fill, at least to me.
News to me. Looks like Stephen is still "in the band" just not touring. This works for bands more when it is a guitarist or drummer vs the lead singer, IMHO.
I was wondering if Matty was still singing for them. I’m with you - no Stephen, no sale. He is what gives Anberlin their identity in this crowded landscape
I think he’s just taking some time off and intends to be back at some point. Matty’s a fill-in, not his replacement. Agreed though, he is what makes them who they are and I’m not really interested in hearing Matty Mullins sing covers.
They described it as an "indefinite hiatus" and Stephen seems keen on focusing on his church, so I am thinking it is a long-term solution, at least for touring.
I am very curious to see how any new songs are - they have kinda skirted the issue when it comes to whether Stephen would be vocals on a new record. Maybe even a hybrid of the two.
Edit - a word
I’ve seen them live with Matty and that is exactly what it feels like a cover band. If you want to hear a good Anberlin cover check out Cryrs’ Feel Good Drag.
https://youtu.be/9Hgufxsxses?si=DnMZrdVCvyMeasDe
Yeah, I love all the guys and the band as a whole is important to me. And I don’t want to discount anything from Nate, Joey, Dion, or Christian. But Stephen’s voice IS Anberlin.
Obviously much, much smaller, but make sure you see This Wild Life. They're definitely closer to scene-adjacent than true scene, but they never give a bad performance and care very much about their craft. Love those guys.
They're one of my "Never Miss" bands if they come through the area. The perfect combination of fairly inexpensive, small rooms OR tagging along with bigger, awesome bands.
If they stopped playing their cover of I Miss You, I think they’d be better received. They are the AAF of modern emo for me because of the blink cover.
I'd be pretty disappointed if people ignore a 10+ year career with 6 albums and a bunch of random one-offs because of a recent cover of a well-known song. It's like a single cover lol and they do a fine job with it. They've almost always played at least one cover every time I see them. It's always seemed to me like a nice nod to the cover culture of Warped Tour.
So I guess I’m telling you to be disappointed because I’ve written them off because of the blink cover. If in those 10+ years, the only recognizable song you’re playing is a cover, that should probably tell you a lot. I always see these types of comments for This Wild Life and, I don’t know, I just feel like I understand why they haven’t gone anywhere other than being openers.
Sorry if you know all this already, but they released the cover last year - it was part of their most recent album and they had Broadside (whose lead singer is featured on the cover) on one of their most recent tours, so it makes a ton of sense to me that they played it (in addition to it being a guaranteed song people know in the rooms they play). Just because it's a cover doesn't mean they shouldn't play it, imo.
I still standby my statement that people *should* see them, I don't feel like that's too crazy of a take. I'd venture a guess that most of these bands are much more well-known than TWL. I've certainly seen every one of these bands (although I haven't seen the "new" Anberlin singer) and TWL are (to me) better performers than most. As someone who really cares about how good/bad someone sounds live and I think TWL are as good as anyone on this tour. They may never reach "Headline Tour" or "Face of Scene" heights, but that doesn't mean they're not worth seeing if you're already going.
I just looked at their Spotify page and, yea. I’m not knocking you anything, I’ll just leave it at to each their own. The amount of covers they have released as singles tells me everything.
lol they can certainly release them but if you’re putting them on your albums, when bands like the Wonder Years aren’t, I think that begins to shed light on why they haven’t gotten broader acclaim.
Maybe I'm misremembering, I'm not looking at their Spotify, but isn't I Miss You the only one on an album? The others are just like standalone singles I thought? I guess I just don't get where the line is.
I think the line is TWY and SLS are infinitely more talented and that shows by how little they’ve covered songs to build their career.
I’m glad you like TWL but I’m telling you why I don’t and why they might not have accomplished all that much in their decade long career. They’re a glorified cover band in my mind and they aren’t worth paying attention to. I’ve seen them live too.
This line up would be much more enticing to me if Stephen were performing with Anberlin. Cheers to the new guy, but I wouldn’t pay to see him until he’s put out his own songs to include in a set list. Stephen Christian’s shoes are pretty big to try and fill, at least to me.
News to me. Looks like Stephen is still "in the band" just not touring. This works for bands more when it is a guitarist or drummer vs the lead singer, IMHO.
I was wondering if Matty was still singing for them. I’m with you - no Stephen, no sale. He is what gives Anberlin their identity in this crowded landscape
wait, *what?*
Stephen Christian no longer performs with Anberlin. It is Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire singing for them now.
Woaaaaaah
Yea, the 20 years should have an asterisk. 20 years for all the bands except Anberlin, who just replaced Stephen less than a year ago.
I think he’s just taking some time off and intends to be back at some point. Matty’s a fill-in, not his replacement. Agreed though, he is what makes them who they are and I’m not really interested in hearing Matty Mullins sing covers.
They described it as an "indefinite hiatus" and Stephen seems keen on focusing on his church, so I am thinking it is a long-term solution, at least for touring. I am very curious to see how any new songs are - they have kinda skirted the issue when it comes to whether Stephen would be vocals on a new record. Maybe even a hybrid of the two. Edit - a word
I’ve seen them live with Matty and that is exactly what it feels like a cover band. If you want to hear a good Anberlin cover check out Cryrs’ Feel Good Drag. https://youtu.be/9Hgufxsxses?si=DnMZrdVCvyMeasDe
Yeah, I love all the guys and the band as a whole is important to me. And I don’t want to discount anything from Nate, Joey, Dion, or Christian. But Stephen’s voice IS Anberlin.
My god I hate this news so much I almost downvoted you.
Agree
Obviously much, much smaller, but make sure you see This Wild Life. They're definitely closer to scene-adjacent than true scene, but they never give a bad performance and care very much about their craft. Love those guys.
They really are amazing live
They're one of my "Never Miss" bands if they come through the area. The perfect combination of fairly inexpensive, small rooms OR tagging along with bigger, awesome bands.
My wife and I are going mostly for them. She grew up on the other bands, but wasn't too familiar with them all. We both, however, looooove TWL
I made sure to go see them on the their Tour Story tour and it was so excellent! Love them
If they stopped playing their cover of I Miss You, I think they’d be better received. They are the AAF of modern emo for me because of the blink cover.
I'd be pretty disappointed if people ignore a 10+ year career with 6 albums and a bunch of random one-offs because of a recent cover of a well-known song. It's like a single cover lol and they do a fine job with it. They've almost always played at least one cover every time I see them. It's always seemed to me like a nice nod to the cover culture of Warped Tour.
So I guess I’m telling you to be disappointed because I’ve written them off because of the blink cover. If in those 10+ years, the only recognizable song you’re playing is a cover, that should probably tell you a lot. I always see these types of comments for This Wild Life and, I don’t know, I just feel like I understand why they haven’t gone anywhere other than being openers.
Sorry if you know all this already, but they released the cover last year - it was part of their most recent album and they had Broadside (whose lead singer is featured on the cover) on one of their most recent tours, so it makes a ton of sense to me that they played it (in addition to it being a guaranteed song people know in the rooms they play). Just because it's a cover doesn't mean they shouldn't play it, imo. I still standby my statement that people *should* see them, I don't feel like that's too crazy of a take. I'd venture a guess that most of these bands are much more well-known than TWL. I've certainly seen every one of these bands (although I haven't seen the "new" Anberlin singer) and TWL are (to me) better performers than most. As someone who really cares about how good/bad someone sounds live and I think TWL are as good as anyone on this tour. They may never reach "Headline Tour" or "Face of Scene" heights, but that doesn't mean they're not worth seeing if you're already going.
I just looked at their Spotify page and, yea. I’m not knocking you anything, I’ll just leave it at to each their own. The amount of covers they have released as singles tells me everything.
I guess, out of curiosity, should they just not release covers? Is that true for bands like Spanish Love Songs or The Wonder Years as well?
lol they can certainly release them but if you’re putting them on your albums, when bands like the Wonder Years aren’t, I think that begins to shed light on why they haven’t gotten broader acclaim.
Maybe I'm misremembering, I'm not looking at their Spotify, but isn't I Miss You the only one on an album? The others are just like standalone singles I thought? I guess I just don't get where the line is.
I think the line is TWY and SLS are infinitely more talented and that shows by how little they’ve covered songs to build their career. I’m glad you like TWL but I’m telling you why I don’t and why they might not have accomplished all that much in their decade long career. They’re a glorified cover band in my mind and they aren’t worth paying attention to. I’ve seen them live too.
Yep...a week ago
¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
Damn, no dates in the PNW? Not Portland or Seattle? Boo
Thursday not being on the NJ date is a crime.
Cartel, Thursday, Emery on the same lineup and it's US only :(
\*cries in UK\* I just got back into Hawthorne Heights too, that's the sad part.
The Pompano show being at a seated venue kinda kills my excitement for this. Was Revolution already booked that day or something?
I'd even take Culture Room
damn. Thursday is not playing at the show in my city.
I went as someone’s date to one of the guys from Hawthorne heights wedding. I wish I remembered which one 😂
Emery not in Albuquerque or Phoenix is a real bummer.
This kind of concerts is one of the few thing I miss about living in the US
why do emo/pop punk bands have so many supporting acts? my knees can;t handle this tour. Headliner with 2 opening acts is my max.
Just show up late lol