All American-Rejects, Boys Like Girls + The Ready Set Kick Off Fall Tour – Exclusive Photos
Mixing the best that modern-day pop rock has to offer, Boys Like Girls and The All-American Rejects have combined their creative forces for a co-headlining jaunt throughout the States that kicked off on Sept. 13 at the Casino Ballroom in Hampton Beach, N.H.
The Ready Set got the evening started with a short but sugary sweet performance that set the tone for the rest of the night. One man show Jordan Witzigreuter did tap a touring band for the jaunt, but took some time to show off his range of skills sitting in behind the drum kit for a tune. The singer, songwriter, keyboardist and drummer gives new meaning to the term over-achiever, but the almost-hometown crowd loved every minute of his upbeat, high-energy set.
"We're back," Boys Like Girls frontman Martin Johnson said as he and his band took the stage. After a whirlwind start to their career with their 2006 self-titled release, followed by 2009’s ‘Love Drunk,’ the band took a brief hiatus, and returned with things looking a little different -- out was bassist Bryan Donahue and in was Morgan Dorr.
The band, knee-deep in the creative process for their upcoming disc ‘Crazy World,’ recently dropped a 3-song teaser EP showcasing three new tunes: ‘Be Your Everything,’ ‘Life of the Party’ and ‘The First Time.’ The Hampton Beach crowd got to take in several of the new tunes live for the first time in addition to a beefy set of BLG staples ranging from ‘The Great Escape,’ ‘Hero/Heroine’ and ‘Love Drunk.’
If you’re heading out to one of the upcoming shows, be sure to brush up on the lyrics for ‘Two Is Better Than One,’ their single that features Miss Taylor Swift. Not go give away any show secrets but you might just wind up on stage singing that song with the band if you’re lucky.
It’s safe to say Boys Like Girls are definitely back and it was only fitting that they kicked things off in New England, right where it all started.
The All-American Rejects closed out the evening in perfect fashion. Seasoned touring vets, AAR’s live show is where their strength truly lies. AAR provides a 360 degree experience that is equal parts music, entertainment, and crowd participation -- a perfect recipe by any measure. Frontman Tyson Ritter served as the quirky and eclectic master of ceremonies as the band dug into their four discs delivering their early smash hits, latest singles and fan favorites all over the course of one short hour: certainly not long enough by any measure, but there’s always the next show right?
The band: Ritter, guitarists Nick Wheeler and Mike Kennerty and Chris Gaylor on drums, have been playing together as a cohesive unit for so long that their chemistry on stage is the driving force behind their musical magic. Former Taking Back Sunday bassist Matt Rubano is also out on the trek giving Ritter full reign of the stage - a luxury he makes the most of throughout the show, in fact, he may even end up in the crowd at one point, but you'll have to head out to one of the shows to be sure!
While on the surface there may seem like a clear divide between the two, Boys Like Girls and the All-American Rejects may have more in common than you might think. Both bands poured every ounce they had in them out on the stage that first night christening the tour with a level of energy, intensity and dedication that will be hard to beat - but that won't stop them from trying.
The tour continues on through the beginning of November. You can check out all the upcoming dates here.
Check out our exclusive photos from the show below!
The All-American Rejects
Boys Like Girls
The Ready Set