Bad Copy

It is a new year and we’re at nearing the end of what felt like the longest winter ever. Between staying inside from the freezing cold, lack of shows for a few months, long work hours, and of course we can’t forget the nightmare doom-scrolling through endless craziness currently happening, it has felt more like a year than 31 days.

I really fell off with shows at the end of 2025. While Fest 23 and Weakened Friends felt like only a few weeks ago, it was crazy to realize that was already back in late October/early November. With everything going on, now felt like a good time to dust off a bit of that concert hibernation and go see some of my favorite musicians performing in one of my favorite collaborations, Antarctigo Vespucci!

My day kicked off with an interesting start, because I had to be on the West Side of MI for the first half of it. A close friend of mine since high school joined the 40 club recently. It was a long 2+ hour drive there and back, but a great time catching up with so many people. It also gave me plenty of time to listen through new albums from The Damned and Joyce Manor, and re-listen through Antarctigo Vespucci‘s discography for the 100th time to prep up for the night.

I made it back to Detroit just in time to pick up my gear and prep up for the rest of the evening. My good friend Curtis, whom I cover a few other festivals with through Broke-Ass Stuart, was also meeting me at the venue for the show! While I’ve been to the El Club many times in the past, this would be my first time snapping photos there. Knowing they didn’t have a pit I could hide in, I got in shortly after doors to snag a spot near the front side of the stage. It was a good call, because even at 7:30 that venue was already packed.

Golden Apples, from Philadelphia, PA, kicked off the night. I had only first heard them after this tour was announced, but was excited to see them live. A mix of indie rock with some dreamy vibes and sounds, with everyone in the crowd smiling and dancing and having the greatest time. The crowd was having so much fun dancing that it took me until now to realize that this may have been my first show in a long time where I didn’t hear groups of people talking loudly over the entire set. They had Jeff Rosenstock come out and play a song with them too!

Up next was the main act, and a band collaboration I have been wanting to see for so long. Honestly up until late last year I wasn’t even sure if I’d even get the opportunity. Bomb the Music Industry!, Fake Problems, and pretty much anything/everything from Jeff Rosenstock and Chris Farren have been a huge part of my music catalog since college. I was lucky enough to see both of them play at Fest 23 earlier this year, and was so bummed we had both in the same city and no surprise AV set in the mix! While disappointed at the time, a few weeks later this tour was announced and everything was okay.

If I remember correctly, they opened with “I’m Giving up on U2” with everyone jumping around, and it became a bit of a blur after that. It was a solid hour + of singing, dancing, smiling, and wild energy in that room. Everyone was having an amazing time to up-beat rock songs about anxiety (my favorite types of songs 😆). With good friends and so many people around you having such a great time at a show, there really is something that feels contagious and up-lifting.

I came into this show feeling heavy with the doom-and-gloom of current events. On top of the unfriendly weather, there is also an anxiety of just not wanting to leave the house that has been building up over the past year. However being out there with amazing bands, catching up with great friends, and being with so many like-minded people really helped remind me why I love all of this, and the community the music and this scene has built for us. All my winter woes I mentioned earlier were gone, and it was something I needed to help remind me that and keep me focused and motivated on what is ahead.

Get out there with your friends, and go see some fun bands play and support them!