When a performer takes the stage promising a five hour show, it’s difficult to know what to expect. This is exactly what John O’Callagan, lead singer of The Maine, did in Minneapolis, and while his claim wasn’t totally accurate, we were still treated to four and a half hours of “rocking out” and four amazing acts.
heir “I Love You But I Chose The Maine” tour to Minneapolis’ legendary First Avenue. The band, which turns 19 this year, played a wide range of songs, from mid2000s MySpace era classics to new favorites. The show was also an informal release celebration for The Maine’s new album “Joy Next Door,” which was released that same night.
The opening Chicago-based pop punk band, Friday Pilots Club, set the tone for the evening, spreading feel-good vibes with a high-energy, short-but-sweet set. Unlike the other featured bands, this was Friday Pilots Club’s first show of the tour, but you wouldn’t know that just by watching them.Their performance was polished and the vocals were strong. The guitar tones were clean and the percussion was invigorating but not overpowering.
The band’s penultimate song, 2024’s “We Don’t Wanna Talk,” was a particular highlight. It’s exactly the kind of earworm that makes you want to get on your feet and dance. Our only criticism of Friday Pilots Club’s performance is that it wasn’t long enough. By the time the house lights came on, we still hungered for more.
Next up was Nightly, a Djoesque pop trio from Nashville, Tenn. Nightly was the black sheep of the group, as their performance was far more relaxed than the night’s other sets. They put on a fun show, though the change of pace was a little jarring. Nighty’s sound was remarkably clear — a testament to the abilities of both the band and their sound mixer.
After Nightly finished playing, Philadelphia band Grayscale traded pop for punk with a series of intense, energetic songs. Frontman Collin Walsh worked hard to get the crowd hyped and ready for the headlining set, repeatedly urging us to get loud, jump and dance. We enjoyed tapping into our teenage angst and letting loose to the sounds of melodic shouting and crunchy guitar.
Finally, the headliner for the evening took the stage at 9:12 p.m. The Maine, a rock band from Tempe, Ariz., opened their set with the song “Another Night on Mars” off of their 2015 album “American Candy.” This track serves as an invitation for the audience to celebrate the safe and familiar feeling of being together as a group of friends. The song set the mood for the rest of the set: a tightknit community of people having fun, swapping jokes and enjoying each other’s company.
Lead singer Callaghan surveyed the crowd and, much to our surprise, about half of the audience members had never been to a The Maine show before. However, both fans and newcomers in the room formed one community for the night, a camaraderie that was fascinating to witness.
One beautiful display of that community came when O’Callaghan handed the microphone to an audience member to sing the final part of the song “Loved You A Little.”The cheers of support for the singing audience member completely engulfed the venue. The band also encouraged specific spectators to take dance solos on the floor, and the crowd’s enthusiasm echoed throughout the entire space.
We must also give special praise to the tour’s production design. The Maine made full use of the First Avenue stage, fitting it with a custom light-up set. The lighting was dynamic, and provided an extra layer of spectacle that elevated the show.
Another highlight of The Maine’s set was “Dirty, Pretty, Beautiful,” a poppy dance anthem that had us swaying side to side and feeling the rhythm. The song was so catchy that one of us has had it stuck in his head for weeks, despite having never heard it before this show.
The band ended the night with an electrifying performance of their 2017 hit song “Black Butterflies and Deja Vu.” This final song was the only track either of us were familiar with prior to the show, and this rendition did not disappoint. The entire venue jumped along with the band, and the energy hung in the air as the lights came up and people started to file out onto the streets of Minneapolis.
Neither of us knew what to expect from this show, but the energy in the room was contagious. We were immediately welcomed into this space, greeted by smiling fans and positive vibes. Over the last 19 years, it seems The Maine has managed to create a community at its concerts where every person — whether a die-hard fan or a first-time listener — can let loose and enjoy a good time.
