Taking Back Sunday Live At The Crofoot Festival Grounds

Taking Back Sunday rocked the Crofoot Festival Grounds on Friday, September 17.

Support came from Thursday, who made a joke about being TBS’ Angry Dads, warmed up the crowd with their catalog of masterpieces including the crowd-sung “Signals Over The Air.” 

The Pontiac crowd and outsourced Detroiters flipped switches once Taking Back Sunday hit the stage, who kicked their set off with “What’s It Feel Like To Be A Ghost?” and “A Decade Under The Influence.” 

Energy is Adam Lazzara in a nutshell, all over the stage, swinging the mic (as many of us tried to do any time we got a hold of a Rock Band microphone as teens), while John Nolan holds down the fort with simultaneous vocals and steady rocking. Drummer Mark O’Connell also gets an MVP award, as he was killing it back on the kit. 

Between songs, Lazzara starts this bit about how Nolan bought a smoke machine for his basement during quarantine and would practice in front of the mirror because he missed touring so much. 

John, laughing, has an air of “what do you want me to say” and Adam says “I thought you would have a clever retort!”  Nolan eventually said something to the effect of “I did look pretty cool” referring to this basement joke. 

While TBS has a sprawling catalog, you can immediately tell which fans have been riding from day one as tracks like “You’re So Last Summer” begin. It’s like Church, and everyone is singing their emo hymn, hands in the air. 

The band is scheduled to play Saturday at Riot Fest Chicago at 8:45 PM on the Rise Stage. Take a look at the photos from the show, and be sure to hit up Taking Back Sunday for more information on upcoming releases, merch, and more. 

Photos and review by Ami Nicole ACRONYM