By casey habetler dean | november 17, 2024
Here’s a rare magic that happens when a band plays an album that feels like it shaped a generation—an album that lives as both a time capsule and a testament to the power of music as a communal experience. At Andrew J. Brady on November 15, Say Anything took fans on a nostalgic journey through their landmark …Is a Real Boy, and the result wasn’t just a concert—it was a collective catharsis. Two decades after its release, the album remains as vital and visceral as ever, and in a packed room full of old and new fans alike, every word sung, every riff played, felt like a shared exhale.
Social Animals
The night kicked off with Minneapolis-based Social Animals. From the first note, they were magnetic—smooth, infectious, and unexpectedly cinematic. There was a pulse to their set that resonated beyond the confines of typical indie fare. Their set was an appetizer in the truest sense—groovy, layered, and easy to lose yourself in—but also held a quiet depth that suggested these are artists capable of more than just mood-setting.
Angel Du$t
Next came Angel Dust, a band that knows how to turn a room into a furnace. Having been somewhat of a “best-kept secret” until recently, their performance was nothing short of a revelation. The band’s style is a firestorm of hardcore’s raw energy, grunge’s nihilism, and indie-rock’s unvarnished honesty. If you hadn’t seen Angel Dust before, this was a perfect introduction: no frills, just fury.
Say Anything
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for—the unmistakable guitar strum of “…Is a Real Boy.” As the opening notes echoed throughout the venue, the crowd collectively roared in recognition, and for the next hour or so, the room was filled with pure, unfiltered euphoria. This wasn’t just a set. It was a reunion between band and fans, a celebration of an album that—two decades later—has lost none of its potency. From the first chord of “Belt” to the final notes of “Admit It!” it was clear that Say Anything wasn’t just playing a setlist. They were revisiting the past with a sense of urgency, passion, and gratitude. The energy was palpable not only to relive the album’s defining moments, but to experience them anew.
Say Anything frontman Max Bemis (now with a full, grizzled beard and wisdom in his eyes) led the charge, delivering the lyrics with the same frenetic intensity as he did in 2004, but with the added gravitas of having lived through the highs and lows of his own personal journey.
This wasn’t just a concert. It was a rare and precious thing: a communal experience that reminded everyone in the room why we keep showing up for music—no matter how many years go by.
Casey Habetler Dean is a freelance photojournalist for Majestic Music Magazine. See more of their work here
