Hawthorne Heights - Live in Cedar Rapids
On August 22nd, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, became a haven for elder emos as Hawthorne Heights brought their 20 Years of Tears anniversary tour to town. The atmosphere was thick with nostalgia as fans of all ages gathered for a night of emotional catharsis and high-energy performances.
This Wild Life kicked off the evening, setting the stage with their unique brand of acoustic emo. Despite being just a two-man group, they skillfully covered all the instruments, and their live vocals were impressively solid. The chill, acoustic vibes were a perfect introduction to the night’s lineup. Frontman Kevin Jordan humorously described their music as “prescription grade emotional,” which was evident in their performance. Their positive energy was infectious, and by the end of their set, they had everyone engaged, even throwing in some well-known covers to ensure the crowd was singing along. A climactic ending ramped up the energy, perfectly priming the audience for the next act.
Emery was up next, bringing a noticeable shift in tone. These seasoned musicians exploded onto the stage with a burst of energy, running around without missing a beat or colliding with one another. Their set was full of the screaming and whiny emo vocals that define the genre, much to the crowd’s delight. The audience, feeding off the band's intensity, stayed on their feet throughout, completely immersed in the performance.
Following Emery, Armor for Sleep delivered a set that fell somewhere between the calm of This Wild Life and the chaos of Emery. Emo but not quite screamo, they brought a different flavor of emotional intensity. The band’s guitarist and drummer were particularly mesmerizing to watch, their talent on full display. During the final song, the frontman stepped away from the mic, letting the crowd take over. It was a touching moment that showcased the bond between the band and their fans.
When Anberlin took the stage, the house lights dimmed, and their own lighting transformed the space, making each track visually distinct with its own color palette. The crowd, many sporting Anberlin shirts, was clearly excited for this set. Frontman Stephen Christian, joking about the band finding him on Craigslist and being compensated with Jimmy Johns, brought a lightheartedness to the performance. It was evident that Christian was thrilled to be back with his bandmates for a couple shows on the tour, and the energy was palpable. With their usual drummer out due to a new addition to his family, Daniel Nelson of The Word Alive stepped in seamlessly, adding a unique dynamic to the set.
Thursday hit the stage, adding a bit of serendipity to the night—it was, after all, a Thursday. Frontman Geoff Rickly’s charismatic presence was a highlight, and his dedication of a song to reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights brought a powerful, poignant moment to the show. The set featured a mix of tracks, including a beautiful solo ballad by Rickly that gradually built into a heavier track, bringing the band back onstage in a thrilling transition.
Finally, Hawthorne Heights took the stage, and the anticipation that had been building all night reached its peak. The crowd erupted as they launched into their set, with frontman JT Woodruff promising to "take you back in time." And that they did—the audience sang every word, reveling in the nostalgia. Between songs, the band shared stories of the challenges of breaking into the music industry from the Midwest, a sentiment that clearly resonated with the Iowa crowd. They expressed their appreciation for Iowa, noting how the state often gets overlooked by touring bands. With a heartfelt declaration that being emo was “not a phase,” they wrapped up their set with the iconic track “Ohio Is For Lovers,” sending the crowd into a final frenzy.
As the night came to a close, the elder emo crowd departed, likely with aching backs and feet from standing through six sets. But the smiles and lingering excitement suggested that it was all worth it—a night of great music and even greater memories, celebrating the songs that have been the soundtrack to so many lives.