If you’ve read any of my past work here, then you know how important live music is to me. I’ve been going to shows since I was a teenager, and at the ripe old age of 42, I don’t see myself slowing down anytime soon. While the adrenaline and the release live music provides is a draw, what I enjoy most about it is the time spent with my partner. We met back in the days of the AOL Chatrooms because of a concert (Van’s Warped Tour 1997 to be exact). Our first official date was even a concert.
Ever since that fateful day watching Goldfinger and Voodoo Glow Skulls in a converted church, we’ve been nearly inseparable at shows. For the past 26 years, live music has been a core element of our relationship. After COVID sidelined us for three years, we came back as soon as we felt comfortable.
It almost sounds trivial or selfish talking about missing live music during the pandemic.
People lost so much! But being able to sing at the top of my lungs with my wife in a room full of strangers means so much to us. It’s more than just a show: It’s self-care. Going to concerts helps me escape stress, pressure, and anxiety, so when those experiences were taken away, it was a devastating blow to my mental health. My first show back was The Slackers. I cried several times that evening because I started to lose hope that I’d be able to enjoy live music again. Yet, there I was.
It’s also not as easy to grab some tickets on a whim and go to a show these days. We’ve got two kids, one who is a toddler. So, it really takes some coordination to make things happen – especially when tour dates don’t work in your favor.
For example, when Frank Turner and The Interrupters announced a co-headlining tour earlier this year, they didn’t have a Detroit stop. “No problem!” we thought. “We’ve traveled to see both bands before in the past, so let’s hit the road again like the old days!” The only problem? By the time we got everything organized with jobs, babysitters, and more, all the dates with reasonable drives started selling out.
My wife and I were pretty despondent.
I started browsing in Facebook fan groups and ticket exchanges to find something. Anything. I even sent a tweet out into the world in the hope someone heard it. And someone did!
A ska-punk guardian angel took care of us that day, because suddenly, we had tickets for Cincinnati. Not only would we get to see The Interrupters and Frank Turner, but they brought along an opening act I’ve wanted to see since 2005, Bedouin Soundclash. All three bands landed on my Best Albums of 2022 list, so it was going to be an absolute treat to see them all together in one night. “Everything was coming up Millhouse,” as one might say.
Just knowing we would get to see those three bands kept us going through some pretty rough months. When the day finally came for our four-hour drive south, we listened to a playlist to get us primed for the show and just genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. We were in our element and without a care in the world for the next 48 hours. We were driving down to Cincinnati, Ohio for an evening of punk rock and ska music. There truly is nothing better than that.
From the second we entered the Cincinnati city limits until the moment we left for home, everything was perfect.
It was a weekend for the records books, and we are forever grateful for everyone who helped make it happen: From the grandmas who watched our kids to the venue staff and the bands, with a special shout out to The Interrupters. As Frank Turner says, “Be more kind, my friends, try to be more kind.” Our perfect concert experience was a direct result of several people’s kindness, and we will never forget it.
When we got to Bogart’s on Friday night, we found out our tickets were upgraded. Thus, we were able to get into the venue a bit early and find a spot on the barricade. We wouldn’t have an obstructed view for the evening! Who said old punks want to stand in the back? Not this guy. My wife also has an uncanny ability to make friends with anyone, so she struck up a conversation with the folks next to us, while I got myself in the zone for the evening ahead.
Up first was Bedouin Soundclash.
Opening in front of a lively crowd may be a thankless task at times, but this trio took it in stride and rolled with the punches. At one point, the audience commented on the attractiveness of lead singer Jay Malinowski and asked him to take his shirt off. Like a talented comedian shutting down a heckler, Malinowski was able to ad-lib a joke and keep the set rolling.
Musically, Bedouin Soundclash is a mixture of power-pop, reggae, ska, punk, folk, indie, and rock. They blend their influences masterfully in a cohesive kaleidoscope of music. Live, the trio was incredible tight and polished, playing bigger than the number of band members on stage. They filled the room with their music, and it was an absolute delight to finally see them after all these years. Highlights included hearing one of my absolute favorite songs from them, “Mountain Top.”
It was time for the main event.
As co-headliners, The Interrupters and Frank Turner took turns closing the night out. At Bogart’s, that honor belonged to Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, so The Interrupters took the stage next. This was my third time seeing them, and they honestly keep get better every time. I’m just absolutely in awe with how much they’ve accomplished in the past few years.
It’s a tribute to their work ethic and their genuine care for their fans. While this tour was to support their latest album, In The Wild, the California ska-punkers played a healthy variety of their hits from all of their albums. It was a perfectly constructed setlist – one that allowed the band to lead the audience on a cohesive journey.
The Interrupters blazed through an amazing 16-song, 1-hour set that never felt rushed. Aimee, Kevin, and the twins put forth maximum effort, and their excitement and engagement was infectious. You could tell they were genuinely happy to be there performing in their second hometown. The last time they were supposed to play Cincinnati, they got sick and had to quarantine in their hotel for over a week. Since this was a homecoming of sorts, the band left it all on the stage.
It was also cool to witness how engaged The Interrupters are with their audience.
Even though they were in a 1,000-person capacity room, Aimee left the stage to engage with the crowd multiple times. Justin and Kevin ran back and forth all night without missing a note, and Jesse and Billy were the glue that helped keep everyone together. As a unit, they are consummate professionals and masters of their craft. Everyone should see them live at least once, because they put on one hell of a show.
While it was such a joy to hear and sing along to all the crowd favorites in the band’s catalog, one of the more memorable moments of the night happened when The Interrupters slowed it down a bit. Aimee and Kevin took the stage by themselves and sang a medley that started with “Hallelujah,” morphed into a stripped-down rendition of “Gave You Everything,” and concluded with one of the more personal tracks on the new album, “Alien.” Such a beautiful moment that I was happy to experience in person. The night was made all the sweeter when the band ended their set with beach balls, confetti cannons, and a rousing performance of “She’s Kerosene.”
It was time for Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls to take the stage.
I’ve honestly lost count at how many times my wife and I have seen Frank Turner over the years, but each time is a special occasion. He’s one of a handful of artists who can wash away our anxieties as soon as he plays the first note of his set. Honestly, after 90 minutes of Bedouin Soundclash and The Interrupters, I was feeling carefree, so I didn’t need Turner’s set to be therapeutic. While I did shed a few tears during “The Next Storm” because of the hope it gave me after a truly rough month, I was able to let loose and have fun.
Frank Turner only had an hour as well, and with few exceptions (including “St. Christopher Is Coming Home,” which was my first time ever hearing it live!), he stuck to the more punk-leaning songs in his repertoire. While I like all of his music, I’m more partial to the types of songs he played on Friday night. Sure, I’ve seen Frank play wonderful solo acoustic shows, but there’s a certain electricity and energy present when The Sleeping Souls are on stage with Frank. I don’t think I would’ve changed any of the songs Frank Turner played. It was the perfect setlist for an evening that already featured two high-energy bands.
The entire night was the most fun I’ve had at a concert with my wife in a long, LONG time.
This one was definitely one for the books. The Interrupters have their one crazy family. Frank Turner has the Frank Turner Army. Between the two is a group of fans who have built a genuine connection with the bands they follow. When you see The Interrupters or Frank Turner live, you can tell they genuinely reciprocate that connection and appreciation.
While this particular tour is coming to an end, you can see The Interrupters this fall with Dropkick Murphys. Frank’s mantra is “On Tour Forever,” so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see him live again in the near future. I highly recommend you take the plunge if you have the opportunity to catch Bedouin Soundclash, The Interrupters, or Frank Turner live. You won’t regret it.
