The set opened beautifully with “What’s It Feel Like to Be a Ghost?” from the 2006 album Louder Now.  The animated band members immediately took control of the crowd with their brand of handcore-emo-punk rock.  Instantly, the wonderful dynamic between frontman Adam Lazzara and guitarist / vocalist John Nolan was on full display, with each taking turns singing their respective parts on the verses and hooks.

Three songs later, the mood in the venue took a turn.  A banner dropped in the background and the stage lighting suddenly became far more dynamic.  The aesthetic changes were augmented greatly by the high-energy riffs and ridiculously catchy chorus of “Liar [It Takes One to Know One].”  Highlighting the band’s intense connection with the fans, Lazzara, Nolan, and the crowd sang the chorus in unison; “liar (liar), if we’re keeping score, then we’re all choir boys (intrusive and arrogant).”

Over the next few songs, Lazzara’s vocals were nearly inaudible.  For the better part of the night, Lazzara threw his microphone in the air, spun it around in circles, and wrapped it around his body.  Secured tightly in duct tape, brandishing the war wounds of tour, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the poor microphone had simply given out.  Yet, it was working fine.  The crowd was singing so loudly along with every word that Lazzara and the crowd had become a singular voice.  The performance of “MakeDamnSure,” the band’s most popular song, was the pinnacle of this moment.  Simply put, for that performance, everyone in attendance was a member of Taking Back Sunday.

After the band finished the opening set, a brief interlude played as the band made some minor on-stage adjustments before beginning the performance of the 2002 release, Tell All Your Friends.  For the remainder of the evening, Lazzaro held back no punches.  Instead of gradually winding down the intensity, Lazzaro only became more passionate and fierce as the night progressed.

After nearly blowing the roof off the House of Blues with “You Know How I Do” and “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from the Team),” Lazzaro left the stage during “Great Romances of the 20th Century” and made his way to the bar in the back of the venue.  Pivoting atop the bar, Lazzaro sang to a frenzied crowd as the other band members remained on stage.  Making full use of available floor space, Lazzaro made it his mission to interact with the fans during the show.  Acknowledging fans during breaks by softly tapping his duct tape microphone on their heads, Lazzaro finally returned to the stage two songs later during “The Blue Channel.”

On the next song, the crowd was treated to an intimate moment.  Lazzaro dawned an acoustic guitar for “Your Own Disaster.”  After nearly an hour and a half of pure, concentrated intensity, “Your Own Disaster” felt special, demonstrating the duality of love and loss so commonly found in the emo genre.

In live performance and studio recordings, Taking Back Sunday is simply incredible.  Nothing, however, can compare to the feeling, emotion, intensity, and passion associated with attending a Taking Back Sunday live event.  Even if you think Taking Back Sunday isn’t for you, attend a show before making the final determination.  I think you’ll change your mind.

Setlist:

What’s It Feel Like to Be a Ghost?
A Decade Under the Influence
Faith [When I Let You Down]
Liar [It Takes One to Know One]
One-Eighty By Summer
El Paso
Error: Operator
MakeDamnSure

[Tell All Your Friends]

You Know How I Do
Bike Scene
Cute Without the “E” (Cut from the Team)
There’s No “I” in Team
Great Romances of the 20th Century
Ghost Man on Third
Timberwolves at New Jersey
The Blue Channel
You’re So Last Summer
Head Club
The Ballad of Sal Villanueva
Contact Robert at robert@starsandsatellites.com