Taking Back Sunday takes back San Diego between Coachella weekends

Taking Back Sunday swung by San Diego’s newest fan-favorite venue The Sound alongside the Del Mar Racetrack in between their legendary Coachella sets recently. 

San Diego was bestowed with a headliner side show with beloved elder-emo Adam Lazzara (lead vocals), John Nolan (lead guitar, piano, vocals), Shaun Cooper (bass), and Mark O’Connell (drums) on April 17th, 2024. Us other elder-emos, who couldn’t make the Mojave Stage at Coachella, could not be more grateful for the epic performance right here in San Diego.

All of us in the room were immediately transported to a dark, small, brick wall punk show vibe, while actually enjoying space, comfort, and multiple amenities that The Sound had to offer (I do truly love this venue).

Starting off the evening right was wholesome singer-songwriter Madeleine Mayi.

Madeleine Mayi truly brought a pure energy to the evening. Soft and sweet (in between songs, that is), Mayi laid out her brutally honest reflections, perfectly paired with an alt pop vibe that hit our mood strings. It truly brought attendees a tinge of nostalgia while embracing new music styles. After Madeleine gained a room full of new fans, the place was recharged and ready for the vibrantly heavy set that was about to happen. And it all began with “S’old”. 

Fortunate with a headliner set, fans were taken back through time as Taking Back Sunday sailed though an extensive array of tracks from their 20 years of making music, punching every single moment of intensity and commanding every melodic sing-along. The guys executed and delivered “Amphetamine Smiles”, “The One”, and “Lightbringer”, from their recent hit album 152. We were also given the classics like “A Decade Under the Influence”, “You’re So Last Summer”, and — of course — “MakeDamnSure”.  I don’t think anyone in the room will forget the energy when John Nolan played the first few chords of “Cute Without the E (Cut From the Team)” or when Sean Cooper slyly transitioned to the opening riff of “Liar”.

At the end of the show, we were exhausted, but happy.

You don’t want to miss this epic showcase of Taking Back Sunday’s best-yet live performance on their upcoming tour with Citizen! Don’t hesitate in securing your tickets to this summer’s best evening of alt rock!

Photography by Franny Kovacs

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