Early in the set, they play “Kickin’ da Leaves” from 2014. They say the song started as a joke, but his mom enjoyed it so much that they decided to record it. The quick repeating of words is so fun. “So so so don’t don’t don’t wait wait wait for for for me me me me me me me me me me me”!

Later on, the National Parks come back out on the stage to join the band for a covers melody. They play “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson and “Higher” by Creed, followed by a recording of “Snap Yo Fingers” by Lil Jon. It’s a very fun celebration of music in the middle of their set.

The mandolin player, Brian, is from Wheaton. So, this is a hometown show for him and his parents are in the audience tonight.

Soon afterwards, they play “Suit and Jacket”. Judah sings “I ain’t trading my youth for no suit and jacket / I ain’t giving my freedom for your money and status”. It’s a great song about doing what you want, and not just what is expected of you.

They close their set with their biggest hit, “Take It All Back 2.0”. It has over 90 millions streams on Spotify. The entire audience sings along: “And one day we might have a big house with nice cars and fancy clothes and a wife with a big ol’ diamond ring / ‘Cause the people they dancing along, they dancing along to the mando’ and some sort of hip-hop beat / But I’d take it all back, take it all back, take it all back /I’d take it all back just to have you”! It’s a fantastic love song about giving it all up for your love and an excellent set finale.

See the full setlist here.

Cost of a ticket: $50

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Quinn Delaney