Say Anything and Motion City Soundtrack Co-Headline a Sold Out Starland Ballroom

In the pop punk stratosphere, both Say Anything and Motion City Soundtrack are considered staple acts that have endured the test of time and maintained their respectively loyal fanbases. Naturally it only made sense for them to embark on a co-headlining tour and the results are one of the most satisfying and purely enjoyable tours of the year so far. Both bands are no strangers to the Garden State, which led to a sold out Starland Ballroom show.

Say Anything was the headliner for this night. Having recently toured off the 20 year anniversary of their classic record Is A Real Boy, the band’s live set felt notably vibrant with a solid mix of both newer material and fan favorites. Frontman Max Bemis especially was in fine form as his stage presence registered as consistently engaging and intimate. The current touring lineup is arguably their tightest with support from Taking Back Sunday’s Fred Mascherino, whose energetic presence is a genuine highlight. Going through various iterations as a band can sometimes make it a struggle to maintain an identity, but for Say Anything, their sound is just as passionate and sincere as ever and their live set still resonates tremendously well.

Motion City Soundtrack served as direct support on the lineup and their performance perfectly set the tone for the night while also showcasing why they’re one of the most consistently exciting live acts today. Frontman Justin Pierre’s joyous energy remains as enduring as ever and the band’s on stage chemistry felt particularly electric throughout the duration of the set. Their setlist struck the right balance of new songs and classic hits, a testament to their skill that both resonated equally with the audience. It was also a satisfying touch when the band brought out opening act Sincere Engineer for a song as well! Overall, Motion City Soundtrack’s set was another reminder that they’re one of pop punk’s most well rounded and throughly engaging live acts working today.

While he headliners were a large draw here, Sincere Engineer absolutely deserves mention for their energetic and passionate set! Led by Deanna Belos on lead vocals, their songs are both anthemic and relatable and the band’s on stage chemistry was a welcome burst of energy that more than helped kick the night off right! With a sound that’s influenced by early 2000s pop punk, but with a fresh style all their own, Sincere Engineer’s heartfelt and personable set was immediately captivating and was a strong case for the band’s potential! Having toured and opened for acts such as Taking Back Sunday and New Found Glory, they are very much on an upward trajectory and their set here is yet another example of why they’re one of pop punk’s most promising current acts.

When it comes to launching a successful tour, curating a strong lineup is a key factor. Thankfully this factor was achieved with Motion City Soundtrack and Say Anything’s latest co-headling tour with support from Sincere Engineer. For fans of these artists, this tour showcases both acts at their absolute best and comes highly recommended!

Say Anything

Motion City Soundtrack

Sincere Engineer