The Academy Is at The Fillmore Detroit
The Academy Is… packed out The Fillmore on November 15, celebrating 20 years of Almost Here with a crowd that clearly never stopped loving that record. The night started with Detroit locals Novelty Songs, who wasted zero time waking up the room. Their set felt raw and lively, the kind of opener that immediately makes you think, “Okay, this is going to be a good night.” Little Image followed with a more polished, indie-leaning vibe that softened the edges but kept the energy moving toward the main event.
When The Academy Is… walked out, the reaction was loud enough that it almost drowned out the first chord. Running through Almost Here front to back reminded everyone why this album hit so hard in the first place sharp hooks, punchy guitar lines, and William Beckett sounding as smooth and confident as ever. The whole thing felt nostalgic without ever feeling tired, like the band was genuinely excited to be reliving this era right along with the crowd.
Even with all the focus on the anniversary, the biggest highlight for me came from outside that album. When they launched into “About a Girl,” the Fillmore lit up people dancing, yelling every word, and acting like this was the moment they’d been waiting for all night. It was one of those perfect live-show peaks where the energy shifts from good to unforgettable. By the time the lights came up, it was obvious: The Academy Is… didn’t just revisit their past; they proved exactly why they’ve stayed a fan favorite for two decades.