American Football was never intended to be a long term project; disbanding after the first LP. However, over 25 years later, this band can be seen circling the country, sharing their voice and their story to anyone who listens.

American Football is a bucket list band to see live for many, but should be for many other reasons than just to hear their music. The show delivers an experience I could find at the Sphere in Las Vegas, but also feels like a jam session in a living room. The technology and production feels expensive, while still staying warm and inviting.

The set consisted of 12 carefully curated songs, with a healthy balance from each of their LP’s. It was heavy on the recent project that was released this year. Before anyone asks; they did play my favorite song, Uncomfortably Numb, featured on LP3.

And of course, they played Never Felt; the all-time most recognized song as the midwestern emo anthem.

With a ‘short’ set, what did they fill their time with? Great question.

Each song was paired with, what I’d consider art, but projection and light sculpture to illuminate the stage. The front lighting is subtle, creating silhouettes of the band, almost forcing the audience to pay attention to the negative space. It’s evident that the band and their creative team look lots of care into building a story. There was a lot of lingering in between sets. I’d almost describe this set as what a dream would feel like; it was truly beautiful. 

I’m a huge admirer of the artist Washed Out; I find a lot of similarities between them and the experience I had at American Football.

This music is for people in love. I was inspired by the amount of love I saw while scooting through the crowd, the whispering and giggling I heard throughout each song. It felt the complete opposite to disrespect; it’s almost as if this is how the concert is supposed to be experienced. 

The most memorable part of the evening, by far, is the segment where the band projected their album art at the wall. With iconic photos, one including the infamous ‘American Football House’ from the first LP, it left an obvious lasting impact on its’ fans. Many bands in recent years I find choose to ignore or insult their previous work before the current project. It is refreshing to watch American Football embrace the album that was supposed to be ‘the only one,’ and continue to give flowers to the 3 that follow.

I unfortunately think the venue hosting American Football, The Roxian Theatre, did not do the show justice. With an obvious choice to make visual appeal an extreme attraction to the night, the two-tiers and lack of ramped pit made it impossible for those in the back to see. Without being able to see the full picture of the stage and background, it was a critical and full-circle miss of the experience.

Opening on this leg of the tour is Afternoon Bike Ride, techno indie band from Montreal. Using feedback loops and piano as a tool rather than an instrument caught me by surprise and got me hooked immediately. Proclaiming them as the ‘bedroom pop of doom and despair,’ their dreamy set consists of 3 musicians, a 4-string acoustic guitar, and the skill to evoke the feelings from fans who are hearing them for the first time. The band also dedicates the set, as well as their star single ‘Running with Scissors’ to anyone who has been a caretaker to a loved one, or anyone with loved ones who have suffered with disabilities altering their quality of life.

American Football is not my favorite band. I know their fanbase is strong and tight; I admit to not being a part of it. However, this show invites an experience that is so unique and personal, it is impossible to recreate. I have always had so much respect for their work, but seeing them live invites a new way to get to know them, even nonfans will come out in tears.

American football’s tour is almost over, but they’re still making their way around the East Coast and Southern America. To experience a universe-sized show in your neighborhood, I wouldn’t skip this one.