Young Rising Sons: Live in the USA
Young Rising Sons Bring Optimism and Energy Across the Country with Spring 2024 Headlining Tour
Young Rising Sons N.A. Headlining Tour - Spring 2024
Written by Ashleigh Benedict for Dual Muse Magazine
Photos by Ashleigh Benedict for Dual Muse Magazine
5-8 Minute read
Following the release of their most recent single, (Un)Happy Hour, Brooklyn-based Indie-Rock band Young Rising Sons took on their first US headlining tour since 2018 throughout April and May. These shows left new and returning fans anything but unhappy.
Throughout the tour, The Sons were supported by some incredible opening artists who quickly gained the love and support of fans - Diva Bleach, pop-rock sensations from Arizona; 44Blonde, coming off the release of his debut album Rehab Runaway; and Lemondrop with a recent expanded release of The Internet EP, along with plenty of local talent from various cities.
With a setlist of longtime fan favorites, newest hits, and a few unreleased gems, everything about this tour was emotional and exhilarating. For returning fans, this Spring was an opportunity to see the band they know and love entering their newest era. For many newer fans, it was their first time experiencing Young Rising Sons as a headlining act, and it was undoubtedly memorable. From the talent exhibited by the opening artists to the masterfully curated production and lighting design, the amount of care and attention to detail this band puts into their live show will always impress. Having the opportunity to take some photos at the show in Portland, Maine is something I am eternally grateful for. Having admired the lighting and overall production from afar for the majority of the tour, It was nothing short of a privilege to experience it as a creative.
Now, let’s do a deep dive into the setlist – I don’t consider myself a “setlist diva” per se, but with this being the first headlining tour Young Rising Sons have done in several years, the expectations were high all around. The band took the stage each night with an indescribable energy. Opening the night with 'Take Me Out', followed by fan favorites 'Sunday Sunshine' and 'Happy', the setlist felt very true to what this tour was meant to be: high energy and pure raw emotion. The night wouldn't have been complete without "High" making an appearance on the setlist, building the excitement as the band transitioned into "Tomorrow", followed by a return of "Last Week On A Friday". If there is one thing that will forever be awe-inspiring about this band it is their authenticity. Look no further than setlist staple 'Carry On', also included in the first half of the night, bringing about an emotional moment for the band and crowd each show. With an experience that I can only describe as cathartic, there was a sense of belonging in every room The Sons played on this tour.
From fans making friends and playing card games in line outside the venues to trading friendship bracelets and plenty of hugs to go around, there is no question that Young Rising Sons have cultivated a community around their band that truly can be described as none other than- family.
“The Sons know how to make strangers come together as a family,” one fan stated. “The friends that I have made along the way are some of the kindest, loving people I’ve ever met.”
Another fan stated, “Seeing Young Rising Sons live made me appreciate their music so much more. You can see how passionate they are about what they do.” They continued, “The YRS family is such a loving group, and the fans are so kind and accepting, it’s easy to make new friends at the shows.”
A longtime listener of the band said it best:
“I’ve been a fan of Young Rising Sons for a decade now and have seen them probably a dozen times in those years, but this tour was something extra special," They continued "The experiences I had and people I got to meet, all while seeing my favorite band in the whole world, was something that is going to be very [very] hard to top. The shows were small, which some people might dislike, but that is my absolute favorite atmosphere. Being able to dance and jump and sing in a small, intimate environment with some of my favorite people is something I will forever cherish, and the memories are something I’ll hold very close to me for the rest of my life. I am so thankful for this band and the people I have met because of them”
The Sons then picked the energy back up with some newer releases, "I.C.D.R.N" and "Oblivious" not complete without some crowd engagement. The middle of the night became a bit of a wildcard, with "King of the World" making a comeback for the longtime fans, an absolute classic staple of a YRS show, and “Outta My Head” complete with the crowd getting off their feet and breathing life into the room. Fans attending this tour were treated to some unreleased songs, with the band giving us all a taste of what to expect from them very soon These songs were, of course, an absolute highlight of the tour, with some more vibrant moments, and the heartfelt lyrics that make Young Rising Sons song intrinsically theirs. While you can find plenty of snippets of these songs across the bands' social media, I won't spoil any surprises for those unable to attend the shows. If there's one thing this band does incredibly well, it's acknowledging the lows of life with an optimistic glow, and these unreleased songs captured that in a way that only YRS can.
The band wrapped up their night with none other than the newer hits "Thank You" and "Peppermint Highway", beloved "Turnin'", and of course their latest release, “(Un)Happy Hour". No Sons show would be complete, however, without the final two of the songs of their set that captured the hearts of fans over the years, "SAD (Clap Your Hands)" and "Fucked Up". Young Rising Sons rounded out the night with pure joy, the crowd singing back every word. The energy and positivity that this band's presence on stage brings to a room is magnetic. For me, it serves as an underlying optimistic reminder that there are good people in the world and new experiences to be had. I truly cannot speak higher of this band, and the entire touring crew. The amount of work and passion that was put into this tour was a true labor of love, and an unforgettable experience for fans across the country. Young Rising Sons: Live in the USA - Spring 2024 was without a doubt the happiest, unhappy hour.
Find Young Rising Sons on Instagram, Twitter, and their website! Find photos from the tour in our gallery here.