Article and Photos by: Kimmi Taylor

Baltimore, MD – Armor for Sleep returned to Baltimore, Maryland, alongside Hellogoodbye and Boys Night Out for the 20th-year anniversary of What To Do When You Are Dead. When doors opened at six thirty, everyone in the long lines started to frolic up toward the main doors of the Baltimore Soundstage. Nobody seemed to mind the rain and cool breeze in the air because of the nostalgic night from the 2000s we had in store.

Hellogoodbye started the time warp back with their infectious synth-pop songs. The Californian natives kicked off the show by energizing the crowd and turning it into a dance party with the song “(Everything Is) Debatable.” Throughout the set, the love the band members had for each other was on full display. It presented itself in the form of all the shared smiles onstage. Hellogoodbye steered through a powerful set of eight songs with some of their most well-known tracks, such as “Touchdown Turnaround (Don’t Give Up on Me)” and “Here (In Your Arms),” leaving the crowd cheering for more.

Boys Night Out was up next. It was hard to believe that this was their first tour in eighteen years. Lead singer and only original member, Connor Lovat-Fraser, took the time to introduce all his new bandmates to everyone in attendance. Connor’s big smile and obvious excitement were fully explained a few songs into the set, when he announced that they’ll be back later next year for a 20th-year album tour for Trainwreck. To finish off the set, they went with their most well-known song, “I Got Punched in the Nose for Sticking My Face in Other People’s Business.” One thing that was undeniably clear by the end of their set was that Boys Night Out’s lively stage presence and talent perfectly complemented what was next to come.

It was then time for the main attraction of the evening. Armor for Sleep took to the stage. Before the band could even fully emerge from the dark, the crowd was chanting and cheering uncontrollably. They really packed in the crowd, which was filled with old and new fans, young and old, who all equally enjoyed the performance. Lead singer Ben Jorgensen reminisced about having performed at the Maryland venue the Ottobar back in 2005. The audience roared with excitement as Armor for Sleep blasted through their older and newer hits such as “The More You Talk the Less I Hear,” “Remember to Feel Real,” and “Dream to Make Believe.” It started off as a concert and ended like a big party with a bunch of new friends.

Whether you’re seeing Armor for Sleep for the first time or it’s your 20th, you’re in for a brand-new experience. While the tour is winding down with only two dates remaining, be sure to check them out when they tour again.