The historic Ryman Auditorium witnessed one of the most electrifying performances ever this past Sunday, May 20th. Say Anything, accompanied by openers AJJ and Greet Death, set the stage ablaze and shook the entire structure of the venue on this stop of the twentieth year anniversary of …Is a Real Boy. This album put the band on the map, and is considered an anthem of emo music to this day.

Kicking off the night, Greet Death infused the venue with their signature blend of atmospheric rock, captivating the audience with haunting melodies and raw emotion. The Michigan-based group excited the crowd and played some of their hits like “Country Girl” and “Same but Different Now.” They had a short and dynamic set, dare I say the perfect prelude to the rest of the energetic lineup ahead.

AJJ’s lead singer Sean Bonnette walked alone onstage and told fans he was going to play a cover song. He played “Reincarnation” by Roger Miller and fans were so excited to see him play a classic. When the whole band walked onstage, the crowd was cheering loudly, and the band started playing “Strawberry (Probably)” from the band’s latest album Everything Disposable. Bonnette asked his bandmate to toss him a cowboy hat that he then wore throughout the set. The folk-punk band had a setlist filled with hits, including “Body Terror Song,” “Bad Bad Things,” and my personal favorite “Linda Ronstadt.” Their performance was raw, electric and kept fans begging for more. While playing their last song “Big Bird,” Bonnette turned his guitar to reveal a message written - “Free Palestine.” The crowd started clapping and cheering louder, appreciating the frontman for spreading such an important message. AJJ had a perfect setlist and set the mood for what was coming next – a brilliant performance of a legendary album. 

The recording of “Belt” came on and the band started to walk onstage. The entire venue was filled with fans screaming and clapping. The anticipation was palpable. The entire crowd screamed “and the record begins with a song of rebellion” and you could see a smile on Max Bemis’ face. The lead singer had so much energy and did not stop moving for a second. Every time Max addressed the crowd, you could sense his gratitude, and he also mentioned what an honor it was to play this historic venue. It was incredible to feel all the nostalgia from the fans invading the stage. All around the venue there were people screaming, singing, crying… and the band could feel the excitement of the fans. While the band weaved their way through the entirety of ...Is a Real Boy with a raw intensity that showcased both their musical prowess and their emotional depth. Tracks like "Alive with the Glory of Love" and "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" elicited wild  sing-alongs, with fans shouting the lyrics at the top of their lungs. One of the best moments of the night was when Sherri Bemis joined her husband onstage to perform a beautiful version of “I Want to Know Your Plans.” The duo delivered a raw and emotional performance that brought many fans to tears. On the last song of the night, Max ran around the stage and passed the microphone to fans to sing. Say Anything had not only celebrated the legacy of ...Is a Real Boy, but had also reaffirmed their status as one of the most influential bands of their generation. As the crowd spilled out into the night, their hearts full and their voices hoarse, one thing was abundantly clear - Say Anything's music will continue to resonate for years to come.