Wednesday’s show opened with Ace Enders, of The Early November and I can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business in addition to his self-titled records, taking the stage solo with his acoustic guitar. To the delight of the early crowd, Enders spent 30 minutes taking requests from across his projects. Fans were happy to shout their favorites and sing along. Though this is the first part of the tour featuring Enders opening the show, his casual, confident set is the perfect way to excite the gathered elder emos.
The Spill Canvas and Mae swap the order of their respective sets each show, and at Jergel’s The Spill Canvas was up first. Performing their album One Fell Swoop in its entirety, the set was a greatest hits of many of the crowd’s favorites to sing along. With 20 years to sing along at home and at live shows, these are songs both the fans and the band have grown up with. As singer Nick Thomas pointed out, some of the tunes may not be written at this age, but are still fun and nostalgic. Near the end of the set, Thomas paused to remind the crowd that even if they are struggling, help and support is always available before performing “Self-Conclusion.” The band closed out the set with two more fan-favorites before conceding the stage to their tour- mates.
Mae quickly swapped the stage before playing the opening notes of their 20-year old album The Everglow. This is clearly a special album for many, as singer Dave Elkins stepped away from the mic at several times in the show and the crowd took over with what is obviously long practice. Though the night was getting late, fans stayed until the very end. With the band lit in an etherial blue glow and The Everglow’s storybook nature, this was less of a rock show and more of a multisensory experience that included the crowd as part of the tale.
All photos and article by @https://www.instagram.com/photosbyaarika/
