The 20 Years of Tears Tour rolled into the Cross Insurance Center on September 10th, bringing a nostalgic wave of 2000s emo and post-hardcore to Bangor, Maine. The lineup—featuring This Wild Life, Emery, Stick to Your Guns, Cartel, Anberlin, and headliners Hawthorne Heights—was nothing short of epic. Fans of all ages gathered for what would be a night packed with raw emotion, incredible musicianship, and memories that took us back to the golden days of the scene.
Opening the evening was acoustic emo duo This Wild Life. Known for their heartfelt, stripped-down sound, the duo brought a mellow yet captivating energy to the stage. They opened with “Concrete” and flowed seamlessly into fan favorites like “Positively Negative” and “History,” their soft yet emotive vocals creating an intimate atmosphere in the large venue. The highlight, though, had to be their cover of *Taking Back Sunday*’s “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut From the Team),” which had the crowd singing along passionately, as well as the unexpected “Country Roads” tag during “Catie Rae,” a playful nod that had everyone smiling. Their set, closing with “No More Waiting,” was the perfect way to ease into what was set to be a much heavier night.
Next up was Emery, who wasted no time dialing up the intensity. From the first note of “The Ponytail Parades,” they had the crowd hooked. Their ability to mix melodic beauty with hardcore aggression shined through in tracks like “Disguising Mistakes With Goodbyes” and the ever-anthemic “Studying Politics.” The mix of clean vocals and brutal screams, especially on tracks like “As Your Voice Fades,” sent chills through the crowd. *Emery* fans were in their element, screaming along to “The Party Song” and “Walls” as the band brought a furious energy that set the tone for the rest of the night.
When Stick to Your Guns took the stage, the energy hit a new level. Their brand of hardcore was unrelenting from start to finish, and the mosh pits opened up the moment they launched into “Nobody.” Frontman Jesse Barnett’s raw and honest delivery on tracks like “Weapon” and “Empty Heads” struck a chord with the crowd, while “Amber” brought an emotional weight to the set. The band’s anthems of resistance and defiance, especially “Against Them All,” resonated deeply, and the room erupted during “Nothing You Can Do to Me.” For fans of hardcore, *Stick to Your Guns* was undoubtedly one of the night’s most exhilarating acts.
Cartel followed up with a set that was nothing short of pop-punk perfection. From the nostalgic opener “Let’s Go” to the infectious “Honestly,” they had the entire crowd bouncing and singing along with every word. The energy stayed high throughout their set, especially during “Say Anything (Else)” and “The Perfect Mistake,” both of which were met with loud, enthusiastic singalongs. *Cartel* brought a bright and catchy contrast to the evening, but it never felt out of place. Songs like “Burn This City” and “Luckie St.” carried just the right mix of nostalgia and energy to keep the audience hooked from start to finish.
As soon as Anberlin took the stage, there was a noticeable shift in the crowd’s energy. Opening with the powerful “The Resistance,” they wasted no time diving into their emotionally charged set. Classics like “Never Take Friendship Personal” and “Paperthin Hymn” had longtime fans belting out lyrics with intensity, while newer tracks like “Two Graves” blended seamlessly into the set. The chemistry between the band members was electric, especially during their performance of “Dismantle.Repair.” The set hit its peak with their closing tracks, “The Feel Good Drag” and “Godspeed,” both of which had the crowd in a frenzy. For many, Anberlin was a highlight of the night, delivering a passionate and polished performance that bridged the gap between old and new fans.
Finally, Hawthorne Heights took the stage to close out the night, performing their iconic debut album The Silence in Black and White in full. From the opening riff of “Life on Standby” to the emotional climax of “Ohio Is for Lovers,” the crowd was fully immersed in the experience. The band’s performance of tracks like “Niki FM” and “Silver Bullet” was raw and powerful, capturing the essence of the early 2000s emo scene. Each song from the album was greeted with cheers and loud singalongs, but it was the closing trio of “Saying Sorry,” “Gold Econoline,” and the anthem “Ohio Is for Lovers” that truly brought the night to an unforgettable close. The band’s heartfelt delivery and connection with the crowd made it clear why they’ve been able to maintain such a loyal fanbase after 20 years.
The 20 Years of Tears Tour was everything fans could have hoped for—a night of nostalgia, emotion, and high-energy performances. The Cross Insurance Center proved to be the perfect venue for such a lineup, with great sound quality and a crowd that was fully invested from start to finish. Each band brought something unique to the table, but the shared history and passion for the scene connected them all. Whether you were there to relive your teenage years or discover these bands for the first time, it was a night that perfectly captured the spirit of emo, pop-punk, and post-hardcore music.
If this tour is headed your way, don’t miss it. It’s a celebration of a scene that refuses to fade away.
