Say Anything Celebrate 20 Years of …Is A Real Boy at Starland Ballroom

Say Anything have long been considered staples of the pop punk and emo scene and their record …Is A Real Boy is often considered a landmark entry in the genre. This year, the record turned 20 and in honor of the celebration, the band have embarked on an anniversary tour which recently came to NJ’s very own Starland Ballroom. The set which featured the record performed in chronological order was a welcome blast of nostalgia and frontman Max Bemis delivered a consistently energetic and passionate performance backed by an equally high-energy and tremendously skilled backing band. The production of the show managed to seamlessly bring each track off the record to life with particular highlights such as “Alive With The Glory of Love”, “Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too” and “Spidersong” resonating just as powerfully as ever. The momentum and intimacy of the record was especially well preserved and Bemis and his band’s enthusiasm was utterly infectious as they delved into the record with unbridled gusto and showmanship.

Bemis as a performer truly connected seamlessly with his audience and his gratitude for the long term loyalty of his fans was notably sincere especially during a captivating acoustic section of the show where he performed fan favorites “I Want To Know Your Plans” and “A Walk Through Hell”. When it comes to being a band with longevity, it can be a challenge to stay relevant at times. Thankfully in the case of Say Anything, they’ve managed to resonate still and their 20th anniversary celebration of …Is A Real Boy is both an exhilarating showcase of an accomplished record and a prime example of a band pulling out the stops and firing on all cylinders. For fans both long-term and new, this tour is a highly recommended experience, be sure to follow Say Anything on all social media and streaming platforms!