The Get Up Kids: Concert Review

Reunion Tour Draws Large Crowds

Nov 9, 2009

Following their "breakup" in 2005, The Get Up Kids played their final shows and said goodbye to fans. Four years later, the kids have grown up and sound better than ever.

Pop-punk is slowly becoming obsolete - the return of The Get Up Kids came at the perfect time for fans, both old and new. After playing in their hometown in Kansas, TGUK hit the road touring extensively in North America and selling out shows to fans who thought they would never have a chance to hear the likes of "Action and Action" or "Campfire Kansas" serenaded ever again.

On November 5th, TGUK played in front of a sold out crowd at the Trocadero in Philadelphia, known for its small and intimate setting. But first a handful of openers would try connect with this frenzied audience.

The Life and Times

This trio from Kansas was a pop-punk/emo band from Kansas, Missouri. Noticing any similarities here? Obviously influenced by TGUK, The Life and Times played a decent set with minimal bells and whistles; drums, bass, guitar, and standard if not typical vocals for the genre. The drummer was the salient presence on stage, pounding complex rhythms with confidence.

Kevin Devine

Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band took the stage next with an accoustic guitar, drums and bass, and a decent reputation and musical recognition from audience members. Bowing humbly before a smattering of applause Kevin Devine strummed away on his accoustic guitar while crooning into the microphone. The band, although talented, places their emphasis on Devine's songwriting and vocal stylings, which are undoubtedly strong. Devine has a sound and musical style akin to Connor Oberst of Bright Eyes, wih more emphasis on vocals.

The Get Up Kids

When TGUK took the stage it was like the audience was on the verge of bringing down the entire building. What were once docile young adults, just a few years out of undergraduate school, were now ravaging fanboys and fangirls reminded of their Highschool days.

Swaying, pushing, singing, and fist-pumping in tandem with frontman Matt Pryor, the show was certainly a reunion. The setlist was a near greatest hits exhibition (if TGUK ever had greatest hits) with a few fan-favorites and one new song. The band had come into maturity, physically and musically. Their performance was airtight and the songs sounded polished, perfected, and still heartfelt.

SetList

The Future of TGUK

And like that they were out of our lives. However, there seems to be a hint of promise in their newly recorded song, "Pretty Little Things." Perhaps, just like The Get Up Kids, the gesture of our youth is here to stay.

The copyright of the article The Get Up Kids: Concert Review in Pop Punk is owned by Todd Christopher Petty. Permission to republish The Get Up Kids: Concert Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.