As Third Eye Blind vocalist Stephan Jenkins said that Summer Gods tour means to be outdoors, warm nights, music, and collective joy. Last night in New Jersey we had it all twofold and then some more. Temperatures reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit, beer was cold, venue packed and music splendid. Third Eye Blind has embarked on summer tour together with Taking Back Sunday and Hockey Dad and called it “Summer Gods: 25 Years in the Blind” to commemorate their self-titled first album released back in 1997. This tour also supports the restoration of a portion of the Palos Verdes Kelp Forest. Proceeds of each will help people at surf community at SeaTrees to restore the kelp ecosystem that sequesters carbon off the California coast.
Written by Andris Jansons
Hockey Dad, from New South Wales, Australia, offered some feel-good alternative rock, perfectly made to enjoy in the summertime.
American rock band from Long Island, New York – Taking Back Sunday came next. As bands guitarist and co-vocalist John Nolan stated that they have been fans of Third Eye Blind and they would never have imagined having a chance to tour together. And here they are … Band opened set with the song Tidal Wave from their eponymous album released in 2016, which to date is their latest album. They followed with Set Phasers To Stun and Liar (It Takes One to Know One). Of course, fans in every state like when a band pays tribute to their state, for New Jersey fans Taking Back Sunday has a special song called Timberwolves at New Jersey from their debut album Tell All Your Friends. Fans sang along and danced, and not only to this song but pretty much all of them as bands setlist was basically their greatest hits collection. Of course, band left best for last and closed out with Cute Without the “E” (Cut From The Team) and MakeDamnSure.
See full Taking Back Sunday photo gallery here.
Third Eye Blind stage was set in darker mono tones with tree branch like decorations. Band came on with partially lit stage on interestingly created platform and kept playing from it for the first two songs, before starting to come down to the main stage closer to fans one by one. As the tours theme would have suggested that the main emphasis in bands setlist was on their debut self-titled album as nine songs from it where played. Rest of the setlist was assembled with their hit singles and other fan favorites. Bands latest release Our Bande Apart from the last year, was represented with three songs – Box Of Bones, Box Storm and The Dying Blood. Encore as always contained the desert with Semi-Charmed Life and How’s It Going to Be.
See full Third Eye Blind photo gallery here.
Altogether band played excellent show delivering on their promise of warm summer nights and collective joy. Stephan Jenkins fashion choice must be mentioned. Maybe I’m completely out of touch with modern fashion, actually, yes I am, but his outfit was something out of early 2000’s with wide pants and bulky shoes. And for that Mr. Jenkins we salute you!
Tour has past it’s summit and is nearing the end as a dozen shows are left. So get your tickets and enjoy while you can. Tickets here.
Also, please, check SeeTrees website here.
Third Eye Blind Summer Gods: 25 Years in the Blind with Taking Back Sunday & Hockey Dad
July 23 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
July 26 Atlanta, GA Cadence Bank Amphitheatre
July 27 Franklin, TN FirstBank Amphitheater
July 29 Houston, TX White Oak Music Hall
July 30 Del Valle, TX Germania Insurance Amphitheater
July 31 Irving, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Aug 1 Oklahoma City, OK The Zoo Amphitheatre
Aug 4 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Federal Theatre
Aug 5 Inglewood, CA YouTube Theater
Aug 11 San Diego, CA Cal Coast Credit Union Amphitheater
Aug 12 Las Vegas, NV Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Aug 13 Irvine, CA FivePoint Amphitheatre