On a normally dull Tuesday evening, Pittsburgh emos decided that while life is full of difficult decisions, choosing The Maine is always the easiest one. The Arizona based quintet brought their highly anticipated I Love You But I Chose The Maine tour to Stage AE, transforming the industrial venue into a sanctuary for indie rock enthusiasts. Since their formation in 2007, the band has evolved from neon pop punk darlings into the sophisticated elder statesmen of the scene. This tour serves as a career spanning celebration of that journey, highlighting their past, present, and future in an ever-changing musical landscape.
Friday Pilots Club kicked things off with a high octane set that immediately shook the room out of its early evening lull. Their distinct brand of gritty, blues infused indie rock felt massive under the Stage AE lights, especially during their more anthemic choruses. Lead singer Caleb Hiltunen possessed a magnetic stage presence and incredibly charming smile. It’s rare for an opening act to command such a unified response from a crowd that is still trickling in, but Friday Pilots Club had all eyes on them, even those just walking in.
Nightly followed up with a dreamy, synth driven performance that acted as the perfect bridge between the raw energy of the openers and the pop sensibilities to come. Their aesthetic was cool and polished, washed in warm pink light that matched their atmospheric jams. The band navigated through a setlist of catchy, mid-tempo hits that had the entire floor swaying in unison. There is a specific kind of late night nostalgia baked into their sound that feels tailor-made for a room full of people looking to lose themselves in the music. By the time they reached their final song, Stage AE felt significantly smaller and more intimate thanks to their infectious pop hooks.
Grayscale took the stage next, returning to the familiar territory of Stage AE after their successful run opening for Mayday Parade just last year. Their growth since that previous appearance was evident in every aspect of their performance, from the tightness of their instrumentation to the confidence of their delivery. They blasted through the set with a punk rock urgency that kept the energy growing throughout their entire time on stage. The Philly natives clearly felt right at home in Pittsburgh, despite the love-hate relationship between the two cities.
The moment the lights dimmed for The Maine, the roar from the crowd was deafening. John O’Callaghan commanded the center of the stage with his signature blend of charm and chaos while sporting a custom Pirates jersey while Garrett Nickelsen’s bass lines provided the groovy heartbeat of the evening. Kennedy Brock and Jared Monaco traded intricate guitar melodies that sounded crisp and clear against the backdrop of Pat Kirch’s steady, driving percussion. Each member played with a level of synchronicity that only comes from nearly two decades of making music together. Seeing all five of them on stage felt like watching a family reunion where everyone is invited.
The setlist was a masterclass in pacing, leaning heavily into the vibrant tracks from their new album Joy Next Door which released just a few days prior. All of the songs from the new record sounded massive in a live setting, with many in the crowd already knowing every single word. The Maine has a knack for writing choruses that feel like they were designed to be shouted by thousands of people at once. “Die To Fall” was incredibly upbeat and sparkly, perfect for dancing and vibing out, while “Quiet Part Loud” was softer and more introspective. The whole floor was shouting along to the catchy “Palms.” Between the new hits, they peppered in deep cuts and staples from their massive catalog to keep the longtime listeners happy, including “Taxi” and “Right Girl.” The production was bright and colourful, reflecting the optimistic and sun drenched vibes of their latest era of music.
As the night reached its emotional peak, the immaculate vibes of the 8123 community were on full display throughout the entire floor. John took a moment to scan the crowd before requesting that an “old” fan up to the side of the venue, and Chris from Cleveland took up the offer. The mic was passed off to the temporary lead singer and now honorary yinzer while John dove headfirst into the sea of fans to crowdsurfed back to the front of the stage. It was a beautiful moment of connection that perfectly summed up why people keep coming back to this incredible band year after year. The show ended with a sense of pure communal joy, leaving everyone certain that they had chosen the right place to be.
April 14th, 2026
