If anyone ever doubted the enduring power of the early aughts alternative movement, they only needed to look at the massive crowd filling Stage AE to the brim to see Taking Back Sunday. The legendary emo icons pulled into Pittsburgh for a stop on their latest tour, completely selling out the venue well in advance. Originating from Long Island, New York, they have spent over two decades securing their spot as definitive pioneers of the post hardcore and pop punk genres.
Setting the stage for the night was the equally revered Queens-based band Bayside, who delivered an opening set that felt more like a co-headlining event. These two bands first started sharing stages together during the mid 2000s boom, but it has been well over a decade since they last shared a proper tour together. Bayside still have all of their signature grit, and blasted through a tight setlist defined by heavy guitar riffs and soaring melodies. Frontman Anthony Raneri commanded the stage with precision, leading the early arrivals through massive singalongs of their classic tracks. The short 45 minute set flew by in the blink of an eye, but Pittsburgh will be getting a second dose of Bayside in September as they’ll be returning to play at Four Chord Music Festival!
When the house lights dropped and Taking Back Sunday finally took the stage, an absolute wall of sound erupted from the crowd as frontman Adam Lazzara bounded into the spotlight. The vibes were electric, with a sense of pure, unadulterated joy that radiated from both the stage and the pit. Lazzara was a whirlwind of energy, pacing the stage while absolutely drenched in the most brilliant lights. He immediately launched into his trademark microphone swinging antics that have mesmerized audiences for decades.
The set was perfectly balanced, seamlessly weaving undeniable classic anthems with some of their most recent work from the 2023 album 152. Fans screamed along to the venomous, overlapping vocal harmonies of their early jams, a signature style that guitarist John Nolan and Lazzara still execute flawlessly. The band dug deep into their iconic catalog, unleashing the massive hits “You’re So Last Summer” and “A Decade Under the Influence” right alongside the more recent “Amphetamine Smiles” and “S’Old” that showed their sonic evolution. Every guitar chord resonated clearly through the night air, and the driving rhythm kept the energy sky high throughout the night.
What truly made the evening unforgettable was the overwhelming sense of community shared by the mostly elder emo crowd. This was a room full of people who grew up with these songs, and everyone was clearly having an absolute blast celebrating their youth. The atmosphere felt uniquely vibrant and inclusive, especially because the show fell on the first day of Pride month. Rainbows shone bright alongside vintage band tees, creating a beautiful space where everyone felt entirely welcome to sing their hearts out. The night closed with the absolutely iconic “MakeDamnSure,” and as the final feedback faded away, the exhausted but smiling crowd filtered out into the beautiful Pittsburgh night, fully reassured that their favourite subculture is still alive, well, and more unified than ever.
June 1st, 2026
