Boys Like Girls’ nostalgic performance at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ on ‘The Soundtrack of Your Life Tour’ 4/11/26 | Photos & Review

May 23, 2026 Leave a comment

Whether it’s 2026 or 2006, there is no doubt that emo is here to stay.

Showcasing two iconic albums, American rock band Boys Like Girls stopped at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair on The Soundtrack of Your Life Tour.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled record, Boys Like Girls (2006), and the 17th anniversary of their sophomore album, Love Drunk (2009), in their entirety (and in tracklist order), the Boston band packed the New Jersey venue with emo, pop-punk, and rock fans alike. 

Alternative band Arrows In Action kicked off the night with an epic seven-song set, starting with “Light Like You” from their 2025 album, I Think I’ve Been Here Before. The Florida three-piece made for an incredible start to the night, bringing on classic pop-rock vibes as fans piled into the pit. 

Supporting their deluxe record, I Think I’ve Heard This One Before (2026), the Florida band had me adding their pop-rock single “Stop Talking” to my liked playlist before they even left the stage. 

Next up, Salt Lake City’s beloved I Dont Know How But They Found Me took the stage. The project of the legend himself, Dallon Weekes, opened the set with his satirical track “Nobody Like the Opening Band” (and clarified that the song was, in fact, not about the opener, Arrows In Action).

Supporting his 2024 album GLOOM DIVISION, the indie band performed tracks from across their discography, from recent songs like “DOWNSIDE” and “SPKOTHDVL” to early tracks like “Choke” and “Do It All The Time.” 

Finally came the time the crowd had all been waiting for: Boys Like Girls took the stage, starting the emotional and nostalgic set right away with Boys Like Girls album opener, “Heart Heart Heartbreak.”

Bringing the energy from the first note to the final, Boys Like Girls put on a stellar performance reminiscent of the 2006-vibes, bringing fans back to a time where perhaps a good amount of the audience wasn’t even alive. 

Since the four-piece was set to perform their first two albums in full, they touched on all the hits, including “Two Is Better Than One,” “She’s Got a Boyfriend Now,” and the Love Drunk title track, and “Five Minutes to Midnight,” “Thunder,” “Hero/Heroine,” and of course, the highlight of the night, “The Great Escape.” 

Knowing their audience and knowing them well, Boys Like Girls did a commanding reprise of hits “The Great Escape” and “Love Drunk” just to send their fans home on a high note. Vocalist Martin Johnson even invited New Jersey’s own Jean Paul Makhlouf from the electronic group Cash Cash. 

I have to admit, coming into the show I was largely unfamiliar with the two albums the tour was celebrating… and after a whole night of a standout set, enthusiastic fans from the front to the back of the house, and nostalgic mid-2000s vibes – I’ve had the records on repeat ever since. 

Needless to say, when Boys Like Girls are back in town, there’s no way this girl is going to skip out on another incredible performance.

Boys Like Girls will continue The Soundtrack To Your Life Tour on the U.S. West Coast this May, followed by performances in the UK this summer. Remaining tickets and more information are available on the band’s website, here! 

Boys Like Girls The Wellmont Theater, Montclair, NJ, 4/11/26 Setlist:

Love Drunk

  1. Heart Heart Heartbreak
  2. Love Drunk
  3. She’s Got a Boyfriend Now
  4. Two Is Better Than One
  5. Contagious
  6. Real Thing
  7. Someone Like You
  8. The Shot Heard ‘Round the World
  9. The First One
  10. Chemicals Collide
  11. Go

Boys Like Girls

  1. The Great Escape
  2. Five Minutes to Midnight
  3. Hero/Heroine
  4. On Top of the World
  5. Thunder
  6. Me, You and My Medication
  7. Up Against the Wall
  8. Dance Hall Drug
  9. Learning to Fall
  10. Heels Over Head
  11. Broken Man
  12. Holiday 

Encore

  1. The Great Escape/Love Drunk (with Cash Cash)

Photos & Review by Emily McCormack 

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Idobi Radio’s Summer School Tour deserves straight As for sophomore year at Starland Ballroom | Photos & Review

September 7, 2025 Leave a comment

With their sophomore class featuring seven of the most dazzling rising acts in alternative rock, Idobi Radio’s Summer School Tour rocked New Jersey’s Starland Ballroom on August 8th. The electric lineup consisted of Huddy, If Not For Me, Arrows in Action, Beauty School Dropout, Taylor Acorn, Charlotte Sands and Rain City Drive, with each act delivering an unforgettable set that deserved straight As across the board. 

Huddy kicked off the night with “Vendetta,” the lead single from his soon-to-be-announced second record. The Los Angeles based up-and-comer warmed up the crowd with an undeniable stage presence and a setlist packed with infectious anthems. Huddy closed out his opening slot with “Cyanide,” an aggressively explosive track that features Palaye Royale and showcases his raw, invigorating live energy.

Huddy

 If Not For Me were up next and absolutely lit up Starland Ballroom from the first few seconds of their set until the very end. The Pennsylvania-born metalcore group were the heaviest of the night and gave New Jersey a lesson in guttural screams, intense mosh pits and neverending crowdsurfers. The four piece played some of their most popular heavy-hitters from their debut record Everything You Wanted, including “No Thanks To You,” “Blameless” and “Feel Me Now.”

If it wasn’t already clear, If Not For Me are one of the most electric and exciting new acts in metalcore. Frontman Patrick Glover has a commanding presence on stage that’s unlike any other, with his high-energy kicks, stellar vocals and emotionally-resonant screams that echo through every set of ears in the venue. The band’s effort to connect with the crowd paired with their inescapable passion for performing highlighted their intense energy that made If Not For Me a clear stand-out of the night. 

If Not For Me

Arrows in Action ran on stage in matching tracksuits as they threw inflatable basketballs into the crowd and the “Space Jam” theme song blared through the speakers. They kicked off their set with a mash-up of two of their recent singles, “Feel It Again” and “Light Like You,” from their upcoming sophomore record I Think I’ve Been Here Before that releases later this month. The pop rock trio delivered a fun, energetic performance of their new music and older fan favorites from their debut album Built To Last, including “Uncomfortably Numb” and “Over It.” Their breezy, interactive performance of “Head in the Clouds” was also one of the highlights of their whimsical and impactful set.

Arrows In Action

BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT delivered a high-energy set complete with their unrelenting, dynamic punk spirit. Opening with “FEVER,” the energy in the crowd completely shifted into a chaotic, thrilling atmosphere that ate up every second of their performance. This stayed consistent as they made their way through their 7 song setlist, before eventually finishing with “FIGHT MODE” as Starland Ballroom obeyed the lyrics and opened a mosh pit as if it was a cyclone. 

BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT

Taylor Acorn put on one “Hell Of A Show,” as she opened her portion of the night with a dynamic performance of the track from her debut effort Survival In Motion. Arguably standing as one of pop-punk’s most interesting modern acts, Acorn delivered a set full of cathartic singalongs, infectious guitar riffs and vengeful anthems. “Goodbye, Good Riddance” and “Final Nail” saw the singer at her most vibrant and electric as the audience screamed back every word. 

Taylor Acorn

Charlotte Sands delivered the second to last performance of the night with her iconic bright blue hair and powerful vocals. Her stage presence was undoubtedly captivating and enticing. Her effortless ability to command the stage beneath her was undeniable from the moment she stepped on stage. Her set definitely rivaled If Not For Me’s for most crowdsurfers of the evening as it felt like every second someone was up in the air hurdling towards the barricade, especially during the heavy rendition of her most popular hit “Dress.” Sands concluded her set with her ‘brat-rock summer’ anthem “HUSH” that left the crowd in awe of her vigor and talent. 

Charlotte Sands

I knew Starland Ballroom was in for a treat the second I found out Rain City Drive would be headlining the evening. Skyrocketing to the forefront of the scene with their 2024 record Things Are Different Now, the group delivered a stunning display of their alt-rock grit and vulnerable lyricism with this heavy-hitting set. “Concrete Closure” and “Frozen” got the crowd relentlessly moving, from huge circle pits to multiple crowdsurfers having the time of their lives. It was the perfect end to the night and allowed the crowd one last hurrah before the school bell rang for dismissal. 

Rain City Drive

If I was the one grading this year’s sophomore class, everyone would receive a perfect report card. Idobi Radio’s Summer School Tour stands as a reminder of why it’s so important to foster community within the scene and uplift its most vibrant rising acts. Even long after Rain City Drive had concluded their set, multiple bands were hanging out at their merch tables chatting with fans, signing albums and setlists and thanking everyone for coming out. The touring festival’s sophomore year was a complete success and I’m super excited to see what’s in store for next year’s junior class.

Review & Photography by Amber Bintliff

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