Welp, we’ve officially (and sadly) reached the one-year mark without any live shows. While we know how much of a bummer this can be to think about – trust us, we know – we have decided to try and spin this in a lighter, much more positive manner.
Instead of mourning the fact that no one’s been to a “real” live show in over 365 days, how about we look back at some of our last concerts and remember the good times? You know, like when we saw Thrice play Vheissu on their 15-year anniversary tour and we screamed our lungs out to “The Earth Will Shake.”
Looking to compile other fun last show memories, we reached out to bands like State Champs, Neck Deep, August Burns Red, Wage War, The Spill Canvas and more to see what some of their last shows were like.
To see which band members paused their live music run watching Panic! At The Disco or Tool or even Ariana Grande, be sure to look below.
TYLER SZALKOWSKI - STATE CHAMPS
WHO DID YOU SEE: Dan + Shay and The Band Camino
WHERE WAS IT: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
WHEN WAS IT: March 8th, 2020
HOW WAS IT: Absolutely incredible. It was my second time seeing TBC and like my 5th or 6th seeing D+S and both bands are so freakin’ good live. It was also very cool to see D+S on their own headline arena gig. Big bada$$ production and all that!!
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: I would love to see the 1975!! They’re so good live. Would be a hell of a first gig back!
MATT WEST - NECK DEEP
WHO DID YOU SEE: Blink-182
WHERE WAS IT: Brooklyn, NY
WHEN WAS IT: September 19th, 2019
HOW WAS IT: The show was bittersweet as it was the last date of our tour with Blink-182. I remember the show [being] amazing though, Blink came out and took apart Dani’s kit halfway through our last song. Ben got to sing with Blink, so a great way to cap off the tour.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Honestly, fucking anybody, I’ve forgotten what a gig feels like.
WILL LEVY - THE STORY SO FAR / COLD MOON
WHO DID YOU SEE: The last show I went to I saw the band Young Guv perform and they kicked major ass.
WHERE WAS IT: Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, Arizona.
WHEN WAS IT: The show was on March 10th, 2020.
HOW WAS IT: The show rocked, I think most of us knew that some major change was on the horizon so we lived out the moment to its fullest potential and partied until the sun came up.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: I think I’m most excited to see either HAIM or Billie Eilish once the pandemic is over.
TYLER POSEY
WHO DID YOU SEE: KUT U UP
WHERE WAS IT: San Diego!!!
WHEN WAS IT: Feb 29th, 2020
HOW WAS IT: There was a documentary blink-182 made called Riding In Vans With Boys that featured KUT U UP. This documentary changed my life. Getting to watch KUT U UP AND PLAY WITH THEM!!! Fucking dream come true. I crowd surfed the entire bar.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: I would really love to see phem perform. I’ve gotten really close with her and her music and want to mosh to all of it. Even if I’m by myself.
JB BRUBAKER - AUGUST BURNS RED
WHO DID YOU SEE: Jimmy Eat World
WHERE WAS IT: The Capitol Room at HMAC, Harrisburg, PA
WHEN WAS IT: November 12, 2019
HOW WAS IT: The show was fun. It was a sold out show in a 1,000 capacity venue so it felt intimate. Jimmy Eat World sounds great live and always play well. I went with my wife and our bass player Dustin and his girlfriend. They played all the hits and some fun deep cuts we weren’t expecting!
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Milky Chance
TINO ARTEAGA - OF MICE & MEN
WHO DID YOU SEE: Ghostemane
WHERE WAS IT: The Observatory OC, Orange County, CA
WHEN WAS IT: Around Halloween 2019
HOW WAS IT: Absolutely insane! Listening to his albums is one thing but seeing him live & how loud the bass is & how hard the band goes is next level. The audience goes absolutely bananas as well. It was a really cool performance!
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Would love to go to Furnace Fest to see all the OG metalcore bands perform later this year.
PORTER MCKNIGHT - ATREYU
WHO DID YOU SEE: Nothing More
WHERE WAS IT: House of Blue New Orleans
WHEN WAS IT: 2019
HOW WAS IT: Honestly, if you’ve never seen this band live you’re missing out! Atreyu were off tour so I drove from my home in Alabama to New Orleans and treated myself to a show. We had recently played ShipRocked with Nothing More, but this show blew that one out of the water! Such an energetic, captivating, and honest performance.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Literally ANY BAND… but Nothing More, Turnstile, or Sturgill Simpson would rule.
WAGE WAR
CODY QUISTAD
WHO DID YOU SEE: Dan + Shay, The Band Camino and Ingrid Andress
WHERE WAS IT: Bridgestone Arena. Nashville, Tennessee
WHEN WAS IT: March 7, 2020
HOW WAS IT: It was incredible! Truly one of the best shows I’ve been to.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: LANY
SETH BLAKE
WHO DID YOU SEE: The Acacia Strain, Rotting Out, Creeping Death, Chamber, Fuming Mouth, & Scatter Shot.
WHERE WAS IT: Soundbar, Orlando FL.
WHEN WAS IT: March 5th, 2020.
HOW WAS IT: The show was great. Super high-energy crowd packed into an intimate venue. Had a great time watching the bands with a few good friends. I just wish I would have known it was my last concert for the next year+!
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Kublai Khan
CHRIS GAYLORD
WHO DID YOU SEE: Polaris, Wage War, Crystal Lake, Alpha Wolf
WHERE WAS IT: The Tivoli - Brisbane, QLD Australia
WHEN WAS IT: February 29th, 2020
HOW WAS IT: It was our last night on tour together. I remember the show being a blast and the hang backstage being even better. We formed some lasting friendships with Polaris in the US and in Australia and had mixed emotions not knowing the next time we would see each other… not knowing the pandemic would follow.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Architects / Spiritbox
STEPHEN KLUESENER
Last show I saw: A Day To Remember, Falling in Reverse, Fever 333, and Whitechapel
Where: Self Help Fest, Worcester Massachusetts
When: Fall 2019
HOW WAS IT: Weather was perfect, crowd was strong, and ADTR destroyed at the end of the night. It was the first time they had played “Rescue Me” live.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: One of the first bands I want to see when gigs return is Polaris.
JOSH SMITH - NORTHLANE
WHO DID YOU SEE: Tool
WHERE WAS IT: Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
WHEN WAS IT: Honestly I don’t even remember dude, like everything is a blur since COVID started. This is the last show that I remember. It was about a year ago with some change.
HOW WAS IT: It was incredible. The best production, sound and show I have ever seen. Tool are one of my favorite bands and I had never seen them live after being a fan for 15+ years. I was left absolutely speechless. Mind blown, nothing comes close.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Honestly I’d love to just see Tool again!
NICK VENTIMIGLIA - GRAYSCALE
WHO DID YOU SEE: The Get Up Kids and Dashboard Confessional
WHERE WAS IT: Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, MI
WHEN WAS IT: March 3rd & 4th, 2020
HOW WAS IT: I went to both nights back-to-back actually. It was the 20 year Dashboard anniversary so Chris Carrabba played A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar in its entirety one night and then The Places You Have Come to Fear The Most in its entirety, both sets with some other stuff sprinkled in. I’m a big fan of both bands but it was good to see a lot of these songs I wouldn’t have been able to see probably ever again. There’s nothing better than singing at the top of your lungs to songs that shaped you as a musician and a person in general. My brother Lupe Bustos (The Maine/Dashboard photo) met us after the second night and we all went out with him and the Dashboard guys to have drinks, it was a blast.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: I almost don’t care who it is, I’d just like to get to a show. I’d love to see The Night Game, I would kill to see Poison the Well again at some point. I saw recently they’re playing Furnace Fest in Alabama so I’m glad they’re doing shows again. Honestly, any show will do at this point!
SCOTT CAREY - HOLDING ABSENCE
WHO DID YOU SEE: The 1975
WHERE WAS IT: The Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
WHEN WAS IT: 23rd Feb 2020 - Right in the middle of recording our new album The Greatest Mistake Of My Life!
HOW WAS IT: Best band I’ve ever seen live. They played a load of older, slower songs which I love. I had to come home from the studio for the day to see them as I wasn’t missing the show - very glad I didn’t miss it!
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: I’ve been spinning the new Teenage Wrist record a LOT recently so I’d love to see them. Or The Cure as I’ve never seen them live!
THE SPILL CANVAS
NICK THOMAS
WHO DID YOU SEE: Noah Gundersen
WHERE WAS IT: The Social - Orlando, FL
WHEN WAS IT: Feb 21st, 2020
HOW WAS IT: His performance was by far one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever seen. I had the goosebump waves nearly every song. It was stunning what he was able to do with just his voice and an acoustic.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Circa Survive on their Blue Sky Noise anniversary tour. It’s my favorite album by them, and although I’ve seen them countless times, it’s been quite a while.
LANDON HEIL
WHO DID YOU SEE: Panic! At The Disco.
WHERE WAS IT: Fiserv Forum - Milwaukee, WI
WHEN WAS IT: Jan 27, 2019
HOW WAS IT: I don’t attend concerts much when I’m off tour, but our old guitarist Mike had just joined Panic and was able to get my wife and I some tickets. It was really exciting and slightly surreal to see Mike performing in such a massive venue. They put on an excellent show and we had a great time.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Still need to see John Mayer or Jimmy Eat World live.
BRYCE JOB
WHO DID YOU SEE: Pinegrove
WHERE WAS IT: Icon - Sioux Falls, SD
WHEN WAS IT: Sept 16th, 2019
HOW WAS IT: I absolutely loved being able to experience them in such an intimate setting. They played an extended set and took requests called out by the crowd.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: In South Dakota we don’t have a ton of options for entertainment but I have the chance to see Willie Nelson in August. If it doesn’t get canceled, I’m probably not going to pass it up.
EVAN PHARMAKIS
WHO DID YOU SEE: Hot Water Music & The Menzingers
WHERE WAS IT: St Augustine Amphitheater - St. Augustine, FL
WHEN WAS IT: Oct 2019
HOW WAS IT: The show was phenomenal. I’ve been fortunate enough to catch Hot Water Music a handful of times over the years, and this last time I saw them they gave another great performance. The Menzingers were killer as well.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: I’d love to catch Phoebe Bridgers again, she’s wonderful live. Also would really love to see Alexisonfire tear up a stage again too.
HYRO THE HERO
WHO DID YOU SEE: It was Dia De Los Deftones. I got to go see Megan Thee Stallion, Gojira, Chvches, and Deftones
WHERE WAS IT: Petco Park in San Diego
WHEN WAS IT: Late 2019 I believe
HOW WAS IT: Such a great time with the epic lineup. The vibes were incredible and also went backstage to kick it and say waddup to Chino and the fam.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Beartooth
LAUREN SANDERSON
WHO DID YOU SEE: Ariana Grande
WHERE WAS IT: Los Angeles / The Forum
WHEN WAS IT: December 22, 2019
HOW WAS IT: Incredible. Amazing vocals, amazing show, amazing choreo. God is truly a woman.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: My top 3 would be Meg Thee Stallion, Doja Cat and Machine Gun Kelly. But honestly, at that point, I’m gonna be down to go see literally anyone.
ALEX MAGNAN - YOUNG CULTURE
WHO DID YOU SEE: Have Mercy (their last show), Idle Wave, we also played the show
WHERE WAS IT: Hard Luck, Toronto, ON
WHEN WAS IT: March 15, 2020
HOW WAS IT: It was such a weird feeling, we didn’t know for certain what was going on yet but we could tell that it was gonna be the last show of the tour. By the time the show started and the turn out wasn’t the greatest, we knew this was something serious. Show was a blast nevertheless and I was glad to leave it on a good one.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Phoebe Bridgers (not a band but still)
DANIEL SEYMOUR - WAXFLOWER
WHO DID YOU SEE: The Menzingers
WHERE WAS IT: The Zoo, Brisbane
WHEN WAS IT: March 2020, the night of my birthday!
HOW WAS IT: Brilliant! I think it’s become even better in hindsight. The memory has aged like a fine wine after the struggles of the past 12 months. Seeing one of my favourite artists surrounded by the people I loved was the best way to celebrate a “last show.”
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Being in Australia, it feels like a while before overseas acts will be touring here BUT I’d love to see The 1975 or Enter Shikari as one of the first overseas acts to come here post-pandemic. The energy both those acts bring will surely make up for months without live music!
MALIA ENDRES - GLACIER VEINS
WHO DID YOU SEE: My last show was our own show with Overgrow and Mouth Movements.
WHERE WAS IT: Donato’s Basement in Columbus, OH
WHEN WAS IT: Right before everything shut down in March.
HOW WAS IT: There was definitely some interesting energy because of the uncertainty yet growing concern of COVID, but we knew it was going to be our last show of that tour so I really took in the joy and excitement of our performance. It was also really sweet to spend the last show with our Common Ground Collective family Jake from Overgrow and our agent John Rausch.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Winter! She put out my favorite album of 2020 so I am looking forward to seeing those songs live.
COLIN JACQUES - WE WERE SHARKS
WHO DID YOU SEE: Anti-Flag, Grade 2 & Positive Charge
WHERE WAS IT: The 27 Club Ottawa - Ottawa, ON
WHEN WAS IT: March 11th, 2020
HOW WAS IT: Amazing show. Anti-Flag is one of my childhood favourites and a pleasure to see at home in Canada. Awesome show in a 300 cap room before the world shut down for a full year.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: My Chemical Romance
MAGGIE SCHNEIDER - GLIMMERS
WHO DID YOU SEE: Rex Orange County
WHERE WAS IT: The Tabernacle in Atlanta
WHEN WAS IT: The last week of February 2020
HOW WAS IT: It was so much fun. I went with my best friend Natalie after a very long day. We danced the entire time and had no idea that’d be our last show.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: My Chemical Romance, pretty please!
CHRISTIAN NEONAKIS - MY KID BROTHER
WHO DID YOU SEE: Modest Mouse
WHERE WAS IT: The Anthem in DC
WHEN WAS IT: Late 2019
HOW WAS IT: It was such a good night… they had always been one of my all-time fave bands so seeing them at such a sweet venue was a dream.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Would love to see Tame Impala or Portugal. The Man next, can’t pick between the two.
BENJI SPOLIANSKY - NOT A TOY
WHO DID YOU SEE: Tyler the Creator
WHERE WAS IT: It was at Red Rocks in Morrison, CO which is one of the greatest places to see a show in the world.
WHEN WAS IT: It was in October of 2019 :(
HOW WAS IT: It was incredible. Tyler is extremely funny on stage and he actually slipped and fell while performing.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: The first show I want to go to isn’t necessarily for just one [band]. I just want to go to a hardcore show and rage my fucking face off!
BRADLEY KEARSLEY- CARPOOL TUNNEL
WHO DID YOU SEE: The last band I went to see was The Red Pears!
WHERE WAS IT: Brick and Mortar in San Francisco.
WHEN WAS IT: February 25th, 2020… I think!
HOW WAS IT: After we played with The Red Pears in Reno, they offered me to come out to their show in San Francisco which one of my friends’ bands were opening up for. I remember coming into the venue and seeing so many people that I knew, something I really miss having these days. They absolutely killed it and it was somebody in the band’s birthday, so the whole crowd sang him happy birthday. I just remember dancing and having a great time.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: I really want to see the band Loving again. I was able to catch them once at the Rickshaw Shop in San Francisco and it was one of my favorite show experiences to date! Can’t wait to see them again.
NICK ZAWISA - BREAKUP SHOES
WHO DID YOU SEE: Summer Salt, Okey Dokey & we (Breakup Shoes) performed
WHERE WAS IT: Fox Theatre - Boulder, CO
WHEN WAS IT: 3/12/20
HOW WAS IT: An absolute blast of a show. It hadn’t been confirmed yet but with how serious the initial COVID-19 outbreak was seeming, we knew in the back of our heads that this was gonna be our final show of tour. We gave it our all on stage for our set and then made cameos as backup vocalists, dancers, percussionists, etc. during our tour-mates set, which made the night feel like something really special.
CAMM KNOPP - NEVER LOVED
WHO DID YOU SEE: The All-American Rejects
WHERE WAS IT: The Beacham in Orlando, FL
WHEN WAS IT: September 2019
HOW WAS IT: It was a great time. We actually just finished a writing session with Nick from AAR the week before so it was ironic they were in FL the following week.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Armor For Sleep!
LUCA MARGI - DREAMSHADE
WHO DID YOU SEE: Bring Me The Horizon
WHERE WAS IT: FORUM ASSAGO / MILAN
WHEN WAS IT: 13.11.2018
HOW WAS IT: Powerful and exciting, awesome band to see live and lots of pyro!
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Architects
ROLY VELAZQUEZ - AVAT
WHO DID YOU SEE: Bring Me the Horizon, Sleeping With Sirens, Poppy
WHERE WAS IT: The Fillmore Miami Beach
WHEN WAS IT: October 2019
HOW WAS IT: It was amazing. It’s very inspiring to see a band in the rock/metal genre mobilize such a broad audience.
BONUS - WHO’S THE FIRST BAND YOU WANT TO SEE POST-PANDEMIC THAT ISN’T YOUR OWN: Definitely Metallica. Getting to attend their drive-in concert was as close to the atmosphere of a show that most of us here in Miami got to experience.
TELLE SMITH - THE WORD ALIVE
The last show The Word Alive played was just over a year ago this week, at the Los Angeles Emo Nite. We had just wrapped an insanely successful tour with Falling In Reverse, had a day off in LA and then March 6th we had plans to celebrate the release of our album MONOMANIA with our friends, family, label and fans. We weren’t quite sure how the reception would be, given that we weren’t an iconic emo band which is who the majority of the music patrons come to listen and sing along to, which is what made the performance even more memorable.
Right when we went on stage the energy was amazing. To see how many friends, peers from the industry, and fans from all over came to celebrate with us really meant a lot.
I was just watching videos the other day from different posts fans had made, and you can hear how loudly they were singing the songs that had just been released – some louder than any song we have ever had.
It was bittersweet because, while it reinforced in my head just how special our album was, it has been the only glimpse into the world of touring on MONOMANIA may have been like.
I’m very excited to get back at it with the boys once everything is safe and sound. And I have zero doubt in my mind that it will feel a million times better than even our best show memory to date. See you there.
