The Driver Era kicked off their Europe and UK “X Girlfriend” Tour with an almost sold-out show at the multipurpose room in LAV, Lisbon, Portugal. Before the performance, the band spent a few days exploring the country, even sharing a video showcasing Lisbon highlights on their Instagram page. On a warm Saturday night, they took to the stage in front of an enthusiastic crowd, eager for an unforgettable experience.
Although doors opened at 7 PM, dedicated fans had begun lining up hours earlier, hoping to catch a glimpse of the band during rehearsals and secure the best spots in the venue. The night’s proceedings commenced promptly at 8 PM with the first opening act, Your Favorite Color. Their performance was followed by a meet-and-greet at the merch table, where they offered free signed posters and posed for photos with fans—a memorable gesture that only heightened the anticipation.
By 9 PM, the crowd erupted as Almost Monday took the stage, delivering a lively and energetic set. Their infectious energy and catchy tunes quickly had the audience singing along, warming up the room for the main event.
At 10 PM, The Driver Era, led by brothers Ross and Rocky Lynch, electrified the stage, accompanied by their brother Riker Lynch on bass. The concert kicked off with “Touch,” an unreleased track, and smoothly transitioned into “You Keep Me Up at Night,” their latest single. The setlist was peppered with several unreleased songs from their forthcoming album, some of which had already found their way to fans’ ears during soundcheck—leading to a few surprising moments when the crowd sang along.
“Preacher Man,” from their debut album *X*, was a standout track, with the entire venue singing and dancing in unison. Throughout the night, the band’s stage presence was energetic and engaging, only slowing the tempo when they introduced a piano-driven segment featuring their former bandmate Ellington Ratliff.
In a nostalgic nod to their previous band R5, which also included their sister Rydel Lynch and Ratliff, the brothers treated fans to a special rendition of “Heart of Mine.” This emotional moment briefly reunited the “R5 boys” on stage, evoking a wave of nostalgia among the longtime fans in the crowd.
While the energy remained high throughout, highlights included Ross’s shirtless performance of “Fantasy,” which caused a frenzy among fans, and their surprise rendition of “On My Own” from *Teen Beach Movie*, much to the delight of the audience.
The show ended on a high note with an encore featuring “Get Off My Phone” and “A Kiss.” From start to finish, The Driver Era delivered an exhilarating performance that left fans buzzing. If you’re considering purchasing a ticket for one of their shows, don’t hesitate—this is a night of music, energy, and nostalgia you won’t want to miss.
SETLIST: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-driver-era/2024/lisboa-ao-vivo-lisbon-portugal-1352f9a5.html
Show Date: 09.14.24 // Lisboa, Portugal @ LAV – Lisboa ao Vivo // The Driver Era Rocks Lisbon: Kicking Off the X Girlfriend Tour with Unreleased Tracks
Photos & words by Carolina Galvao