Kicking off a tour the right way can be an exciting and daunting prospect all at once, however in the case of Dashboard Confessional no such qualms were found as they kicked off the tour at the Stone Pony Summerstage with an intimate and exhilarating live experience that showcased frontman Chris Carrabba’s genuine talents as a songwriter and performer. Having been an active artist, Carrabbra’s catalog runs deep and the setlist featured many fan favorites and highlights such as opening up with “Vindicated” and included other noteworthy selections such as “Southbound and Sinking”, “Saints and Sailors”, and even performed an unreleased song “Watch The Fire” with Boys like Girls vocalist Martin Johnson. Carraba’s storytelling also resonated greatly as he delved into the history of the songs and expressed his gratitude for the audience’s support over the years. The set also transitioned seamlessly between the band’s anthemic numbers and Carraba’s more intimate acoustic songs. Credit also to Carraba’s backing band who accompanied him to tremendous effect and demonstrated an organic chemistry that helped elevate the material to even greater heights. The momentum of the setlist also highlighted Dashboard’s versatility and how much Carraba’s music has grown and evolved throughout the years, the honesty and soul of his songwriting has aged remarkably well and the impact truly resonated with the audience.

Notable as well was Boy like Girl’s supporting set which was an exhilarating and welcome surprise! The band performed both newer and older songs with gusto and plenty of style to spare. The renditions of “Thunder” and “The Great Escape” sounded especially vibrant live but also the newer songs resonated strongly as well. Frontman Martin Johnson turned in a passionate and committed performance that won the crowd over and the band’s high-energy stage presence was purely electric from start to finish. For many shows, a strong supporting act can only enhance the experience and Boys like Girls most certainly left an impression and delivered a captivating and full on set that won over fans both old and new!

Overall, when it comes to kicking off a tour, the expectations to deliver an exciting experience right out of the gate can be a factor. Thankfully in the case of Dashboard Confessional, their tour kickoff at the Stone Pony Summerstage was an exciting, passionate and well-rounded display of the band’s artistry while offering a dynamic tour package with the inclusion of Boys Like Girls. For newer and firmly established fans, this tour comes highly recommended, for more information regarding tour dates and announcements be sure to follow Dashboard Confessional and Boys Like Girls on all social media and streaming platforms!

Boys like Girls