Nashville’s Eastside Bowl was packed on Saturday night as The Get Up Kids took the stage for their Something to Write Home About tour. The Get Up Kids proved their music holds the same emotional weight and infectious energy as it did when it first hit CD players and record stores back in the 1990s.
The crowd sang along to every word, transforming the venue into a communal chorus of nostalgia. Adding to the throwback vibe, they were joined by fellow ’90s emo/indie stalwarts Hot Rod Circuit, whose set warmed up the audience with equal parts grit and charm.
Hot Rod Circuit’s bassist stood out, delivering some of the night’s funniest moments. His self-aware banter—joking about having to fill the silence because their lead singer was “terrible at stalling”.
A sold-out room of “elder emos” passionately sang along to every lyric to some favorites such as “Holiday” and “Ten Minutes.” The experience served as a comforting reminder that the way people engage with music may evolve over time, but the joy, the connection, and the sense of belonging remain constant. The band ended the set with “Martyr Me,” “Shorty” and “Don’t Hate Me”
