The summer has arrived, and you will catch me jamming out to my millennial emo playlist list again for a new reason. You may have heard of a band called The All-American Rejects playing on the news lately. “Why would a pop punk band from the early 2000s-2010s be popping up on the news these days?” You ask. They are making waves because of their twist on touring the country as they debut their latest album.
While you see many tours filling out stadiums for three or four days with nosebleed seats costing hundreds of dollars, All-American Rejects is giving their fans a different experience by going back to their roots as a garage band.
The All-American Rejects have been asking fans to submit locations where they could host a “pop-up” show or house party on their social media. It could be anywhere from a backyard near the Mizzou campus, the night of graduation, or a bowling alley in Minneapolis, all for the hefty price of free to a few dollars.
If you love supporting local music and local venues like me, this is the type of disruption your pop-punk heart has been searching for!
As summer starts to arrive, there is something extra special about getting out from behind our beloved screens and experiencing life in real-time. Whether it is listening to bands that brought us so much joy and spunk in our younger years or sharing a meal with family and friends. The All-American Rejects are reminding us of how special it can be with this exciting new twist on touring!
“Swing, swing, swing from the tangles of
My heart is crushed by a former love
Can you help me find a way to carry on again?”
– “Swing, Swing” by The All-American Rejects
June 2025