Tonight is the largest headlining show that Andrew McMahon has ever played. The outdoor capacity for the Salt Shed is 5,000 people. 

Early in the set, they play “The Mixed Tape” from 2005’s Everything In Transit. “And this is my mixed tape for her / It’s like I wrote every note / With my own fingers”. There is so much nostalgia in this song about creating mixed tapes on cassettes. It’s a beautiful piano rock song. 

Later on, they play “Bruised”. Andrew McMahon, the lead singer, said that he has already cried on stage twice during this tour. There is so much emotion in these songs and especially in this one. “Hours pass and she still counts the minutes that I am not there / I swear I didn’t mean for it to feel like this / Like every inch of me is bruised, bruised”. It sounds fantastic tonight. Also, they are selling a “Bruised” t-shirt that has a picture of a beat-up teddy bear. 

Midway into the show, Andrew comes into the audience to say hi to a bunch of kids scattered throughout the audience. He gives a special message to a 12-year-old in the front row who has been singing every lyric: “I was only 2 years older than you when I started writing songs. You can do whatever you want. Dream big!” 

Afterwards, they play “The Resolution” from 2008’s The Glass Passenger. “And I’m alive / And I don’t need a witness / To know that I survived / I’m not looking for forgiveness / I just need light / I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution.” In 2005, McMahon was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia. He was able to beat this cancer thanks to a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from his sister. Andrew now strongly advocates for registering to be a bone marrow donor. 

To end the night, they play “Dark Blue”, which is their most popular song on Spotify with over 45 million streams.  “Have you ever been alone in a crowded room? Well I’m here with you / I said the world could be burnin’ / ‘Til there’s nothin’ but dark blue”. It’s emo rock perfected. Everyone in attendance happily sings along and the smiles are still on everyone’s faces as they exit. 

Cost of a ticket: $69

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +

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

See the full setlist here. 

Quinn Delaney