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BOYS LIKE GIRLS
+ The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
@ The Gov Adelaide
2nd of October 2022
(Live Review)

Review by Kayla Hamilton

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A tour two years in the making, Boston pop-punk outfit Boys Like Girls were finally able to hit the stage in Adelaide for the second show on their Sweet Sixteen World Tour. Celebrating sixteen years since the release of their debut self-titled album; it seemed fitting that they were joined by another band who also released their debut album in 2006 – The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.

As the iconic venue, The Gov was filled by an almost sold-out audience, some of who had bought their tickets two years previously, it was evident that most of the crowd had been listening since 2006- which just made the show just that little more special.

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With no local support, it was up to The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus to get the crowd going and that was an effortless task. With a mix of nostalgia for their teenage years and just pure love for this talented band, the crowd did not need any encouragement to sing and scream along. Not missing a beat, singer Ronnie Winter understood his audience. Beyond his impeccable voice, he reached out to the ‘elder emos’ in the crowd and showed just why this band is still loved to this day.

One of the best things about this band though is that while they are mostly known for the emo anthem ‘Face Down’, they are also incredible musicians. Putting together an impeccable set that included ‘Cat and Mouse’, ‘Your Guardian Angel’ and of course closing with iconic ‘Face Down’– if you have never had the opportunity to see The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus then you are missing out.

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These days it has become increasingly rare to go to a two-band show, especially of international acts, but from the thunderous welcome Boys Like Girls got as they took to the stage, there really was not much of a need for anybody else. Playing their debut album in full meant they were hitting the stage with one of their most commercially successful tracks ‘The Great Escape’. Right away the crowd was jumping and singing along. As the band flowed effortlessly between songs, it may have been a while since 2006 but the same energy was in the air.

After taking the crowd back to 2006 with their music and mentions of Myspace Top 8’s and profile music, they kept the party going with more of their hits such as ‘She’s Got a Boyfriend Now’ and ‘Be Your Everything’.

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One of the most appealing things about this set was just the attitude the band brought to the stage. Frontman Martin Johnson was just very real with the crowd, explaining in a somewhat self-deprecating fashion how it was only their fourth show in six and a half years and that they had very little sleep between landing in Australia, playing the previous night in Perth and hitting the stage in Adelaide. His apologies fell on deaf ears because there was no doubt that everybody in that room was overwhelmed by the amazing show they were putting on. Let’s face it, it was a long weekend in Adelaide and the elder emos were having the time of their lives. 

 If you are yet able to get your hands on tickets for any remaining dates of this tour, then it is time to dust off your Vans or Chucks, pull out that eyeliner, squeeze back into those skinny jeans, part that fringe back to the side and get yourself to a show. It is not one to miss.

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Follow BOYS LIKE GIRLS
Website – Facebook – Spotify
Instagram – YouTube

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AMNPLIFY – DB