Mildly shell shocked millennials packed Mesa’s Nile Theater last week for a 20 year celebration that really snuck up on a generation. Armor for Sleep and The Early November are meandering about the country playing two iconic albums in full as a special co-headlining treat and, joined by The Spill Canvas, emotions ran high for the duration of the show.
The Spill Canvas disappeared from view for a brief time but they are back on the road and better than ever. With their 20 year anniversary as a band on the horizon, the gratitude they spent their set expressing blended with the emotions pouring off of the crowd. Their opening set was powerful in such an unexpected way and proved to be the perfect mood setter for the rest of the night.
The Early November has been a scene staple through every era and iteration of the band and they decided to shake up the traditional album play for their time onstage. Performing The Room’s Too Cold in its entirety, they decided to start from the last track and work their way to the front of the record- starting slow and ending on the highest note per frontman Ace Ender’s wishes. The unorthodox play went over hugely with a crowd full of longtime devoted fans and their performance was capped off with the addition of “I Want To See You Sad” to end things with a massive burst of energy.
The staying power of Armor for Sleep’s Dream to Make Believe came to life when the band took the stage for their turn at an album playthrough. From the first notes, the audience did their best to throw themselves at the stage, summoning all of their energy to have a rowdy night with their favorites. The entire show was nostalgic and emotionally stirring in a way that we haven’t seen from recent anniversary tours- these bands have shaped the lives of their fans and with 20 years in the rearview, that impact is felt so strongly in these crowded rooms.
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Story and photos by Olivia Khiel
