In the early 2010s, a new wave of post-hardcore/emo bands began emerging amongst the Warped Tour scene, complete with skinny jeans and side-parted fringe. One such example is five-piece Sleeping With Sirens, originating out of Orlando with their acclaimed debut With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear in 2010. The album swiftly garnered attention, namely due to frontman Kellin Quinn’s unique higher vocal tones (leggero tenor if you want to get technical) and lead single “If I’m James Dean, You’re Audrey Hepburn.” 

The debut was followed with sophomore album Let’s Cheers to This in 2011, quickly putting Sleeping With Sirens at the forefront of this new wave. It has since been thirteen years, and the band shows no sign of slowing down. With a total of seven studio albums and one EP, they have outlived the fall of Warped Tour and many of their peers’ retirements. To prove it, the band is embarking on a Let’s Cheers To This Anniversary Tour, performing the album in full to celebrate “the record that really changed everything for this band.” Supporting them on this run is Australian rock duo Teenage Joans and Welsh post-hardcore rockers Holding Absence.

The tour arrived in Richmond, Virginia amongst gloomy weather, the glowing red marquee of The National Theater shining through the fog. Scene kids and retired emos alike packed the floor of the historic venue. The stage is set with mountains reminiscent of those on the Let’s Cheers to This album cover, with a circular structure of lights framing the drum kit.

The band, consisting of Justin Hills (bass), Tony Pizzuti (lead guitar), Nick Martin (rhythm guitar), Matty Best (drums), and the aforementioned Kellin Quinn (vocals), opens their set with track number seven, “Tally It Up, Settle The Score,” amongst deafening cheers from the crowd. Upon the screaming vocals of the bridge, Quinn takes both hands in a spreading motion in the universal sign for ‘open that pit’ – and the crowd delivers in turn. 

Rather than playing the album from top to bottom, the songs are shuffled in order, likely to keep fans on their toes, with many songs preceded with a small speech about their meaning, a dedication, or a memory associated with the song. “Who came here with someone you love, someone you trust?” Quinn asks, hands immediately flying into the air. “I want you to put your arm around them and tell them you love them.” At his words, couples exchange smiles and groups of friends merge into group hugs. This sweet question acts as an introduction to “A Trophy Fathers Trophy Son,” a heart-tugging song about familial abandonment, who’s echoing lyric “Is this what you call a family?” takes on a new meaning in this room. “This is family!” Quinn yells – referring not to blood relations, but a found family.

As the band makes their way through the album, their range is displayed within ten songs alone, whether it’s the soaring choruses of “Fire,” the call and response of “Do It Now Remember It Later,” or the softness of “All of My Heart.” Sleeping With Sirens are known for their infectious melodies, making them incredibly easy to sing (and scream) along to, if the sound of the crowds’ united voices nearly eclipsing Quinn’s is anything to go off of. 

The band naturally saves the titular track “Let’s Cheers to This” as the final song of the album playthrough (spoiler alert: they skip “If You Can’t Hang” in order to make it the set closer). For this speech, Quinn urges the crowd to chase their dreams, no matter how far-fetched they might be, whether it’s something they’re currently pursuing or too afraid to. His speech echoes the message of the song, the lyrics “This is my life/I’ve got the whole world in front of me” reminiscent of his words.

Following the album playthrough, the band returns to stage for a five-song encore of fan favorites from other albums, finally concluding the set with their most well-known song and emo classic “If You Can’t Hang.” The song echoes through the walls of the theater with the loudest cheers from the crowd yet. While this anniversary tour celebrates the band’s successes, it is also a testament to their longevity and the timelessness of the album, cementing it as a scene staple.

Sleeping With Sirens will continue the tour throughout October and conclude with a final album playthrough at When We Were Young Fest.