Taking Back Sunday: 10th Annual Holiday Show
BY HOLLY VAN NESSOn December 6th and 7th, the legendary pop-punk Taking Back Sunday band visited Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, for their 10th annual holiday show. AKA–the biggest show of the year for New Jersey millennial-emos.
As always, Taking Back Sunday and their crew went all out with the holiday theme. The stage was decked out in festive flair; colorful Christmas trees lined the back of the stage, tinsel wrapped around each microphone stand, and the iconic Grinch and Olaf statues made a re-appearance. There were presents wrapped up and tucked around the stage to be later thrown into the crowd. Fans showed up in full holiday spirit, rocking Santa hats, Christmas sweaters, and blinking light-up necklaces. I even saw a handful of Santa Clauses walking around!
The show kicked off with Hollyglen, a high-energy band from Tampa, Florida. Their performance was full of excitement and set the perfect tone for the night ahead. I was surprised to see so many fans singing along, considering they’re on the smaller side. (Speaking of which–I always appreciate Taking Back Sunday bringing along smaller bands to give them the spotlight they deserve). Next, Sincere Engineer took the stage. Lead-vocalist Deanna Belos blew me away with her raw, unfiltered vocals, and the band’s energy kept the crowd going strong.
By the time Taking Back Sunday hit the stage, the crowd was buzzing with excitement. Lead-vocalist Adam Lazzara, as always, had a magnetic stage presence. He didn’t stop moving the entire show, swinging around his microphone and dancing like nobody was watching. From one stage to the other, Lazzara had a constant smile on his face, feeding off the crowd’s infectious energy. The amazing security at Starland was on top of their game as soon as crowd surfing started, making sure everyone landed safely over the barricade.
The performance was nothing short of incredible, with the band showing no signs of slowing down even after more than 20 years in the industry. Taking Back Sunday absolutely still has it. Despite what some might say, Taking Back Sunday puts on one hell of a show. The venue was packed to the brim with old fans and new fans alike, singing loudly to each and every song the band performed. Never before have I seen a crowd so unified; a reminder that live music can bring together hundreds of people for a shared moment of utter joy.
On Saturday, December 7th, the band hosted a pop-up shop at Starland Ballroom with an acoustic set, local vendors, photo ops, and more, with proceeds going to Sweet Relief, a nonprofit that supports musicians and industry workers in need. They finished their holiday adventures that night with one more show at Starland. The band will take a short break for the next upcoming months before rocking out at a handful of festivals. Check out their upcoming lineup here.
