Posted November 27, 2019 by Kailey Howell Concert Reviews & Galleries

A Day to Remember – EMU – 11.16.19

A Day to Remember, I Prevail, Beartooth, Can’t Swim
EMU Convocation Center – Ypsilanti, MI – 11.16.19
Photographer: Kailey Howell

In anticipation for their upcoming album You’re Welcome, A Day to Remember sold out Eastern Michigan University’s convocation center with direct support from Detroit’s own I Prevail.

Post-hardcore band Beartooth as well as Can’t Swim joined the tour as well.

A Day to Remember opened their set with “The Downfall of Us All” after dramatically dropping a white curtain in front of the stage, prompting the entire arena to break into the infamous opening chant.

For a band that has been touring seemingly nonstop over the past couple of the years, A Day to Remember shows no signs of slowing down. Each member radiated passion on stage with smiles on their faces, interacting with esthetic crowd members.

While their set included staple favorites, the band performed “Degenerates” as well as their collaboration with electronic artist Marshmello, “Rescue Me.”

The crowd also showed no signs of stopping, with constant movement from not only the jam packed pit but also from fans in the arena seats. There was a constant flood of fans literally surfing on crowd surfers after being prompted by vocalist Jeremy McKinnon.

McKinnon notably interacted with fans throughout the night, reaching peak when he joined fans at the barrier for the bridge of “Sometimes You’re the Hammer, Sometimes You’re the Nail.”

The band surprised fans with a cover of Lit’s “My Own Worst Enemy” that flowed perfectly into “Right Back At It Again.”

After an acoustic performance of “If It Means A Lot to You,” the band finished their three song encore with “All Signs Point to Lauderdale” and a confetti filled rendition of “The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle.”

This night of the tour was special, because it was the hometown show for direct support I Prevail. The band released their second studio album, TRAUMA earlier this year, and opened their set with “Bow Down,” the albums opening track.

As soon as the band started, you could tell that fans had definitely not only come for the headliner as they were singing along to every word.

Vocalists Brian Burkheiser (clean) and Eric Vanlerberghe (harsh) gave high energy on stage, clearly excited to be back home in front of friends and family opening for a name like ADTR.

I Prevail included two songs from their debut 2016 album, Lifelines – “Scars” and closing song “Come and Get It.”

Beartooth is another band that has been seemingly touring nonstop this past couple of years after releasing their latest album, Disease in 2018. Despite the venue’s miscommunication with attendees regarding door times, fans walked into the venue and felt immediately at ease when they saw Caleb Shomo on stage going hard.

Can’t Swim also recently released an EP this year. Foreign Language is a blend of some of the band’s hardest hitting songs with a plentiful list of features. Their rowdiness on stage was a great way to kick off a night full of rock and roll.

ADTR has since released their newest single “Resentment.” Stream it here and watch the video below.