Story of the Year, Senses Fail & Armor for Sleep at St. Andrew’s Hall
St. Andrew’s Hall was shoulder-to-shoulder on the Tuesday before thanksgiving, as Story of the Year, Senses Fail, and Armor for Sleep brought a lineup that felt like a reunion for anyone who grew up on mid-2000s post-hardcore/pop punk. Detroit crowds are always loud and I was ready to let off some steam with bands that i’ve listened to for a long time.
Armor for Sleep opened the night, easing the room into their set with that familiar, ghostly atmosphere. Nearly two decades later, What to Do When You Are Dead still has a grip on people, and the crowd’s reaction proved it. Ben Jorgensen’s vocals carried more weight live than expected. “Car Underwater” pulled the entire room in immediately, starting as a collective sway and eventually turning into a full, sing-along. The lighting design fit their vibe and made the entire set feel cinematic. Even as the opener, they played like they owned the room.
Story of the Year hit the stage with a set that proved they still belong on big stages. Their sound filled the room with an almost arena-sized presence, even in the tighter, more intimate space of St. Andrew’s Hall. Dan Marsala’s vocals were solid all night, and the crowd matched him word for word. Predictably, “Until the Day I Die” blew the roof off, but the response never dipped. The band played with a level of tightness and energy most younger groups still fight to match. The band’s chemistry felt natural and unforced, like a group that genuinely enjoys doing this after all these years.By the end of the set, everyone in the room was part of the moment.
Senses Fail came out swinging. Buddy Nielsen has always been a wildcard on stage, and somehow he seems even more unpredictable now in the best way. He sprinted across the stage, nailed every scream, and kept the crowd locked in the entire time. “Can’t Be Saved” and “Calling All Cars” had the floor shaking, but the loudest moment of the night came during “Buried a Lie,” when Buddy pushed the crowd into a scream-along that nearly drowned out the band. Musically, they were razor sharp and full of energy, the kind of set that reminds you why they’re still such a staple in the scene. Fans who lived through the early emo era were transported back instantly, and newer fans held their own. It was nostalgic and exactly what a Senses Fail show should be.
This tour stop felt less like a throwback lineup and more like a celebration of a genre that has never really gone away. Each band brought its own angle and together they delivered a show that was emotional, loud, and fun. It was nice reliving my iPod-era glory days and discovering some of these bands for the first time. Emo Is alive and well in Detroit!
Photos/review: Byron Morris
IG: byronmorrisphotography
