The US rejection is bringing back the house party. Rock bands that broke the charts in the early 2000s with hits like “Move Athoin” and “Gives You Hell” have been holding surprise shows at small venues around the country.
So far, concert spots have included a backyard near the University of Missouri in Columbia, a barn in Ames, Iowa, and a bowling alley in Minneapolis.
The band’s frontman Tyson Ritter said the musician “wanted to go back to the spirit of what started this band.”
Shortly before each surprise show, the location is sent to local fans who have signed up for the band’s text message.
With concert ticket prices rising soaring, it’s a novel approach to making live music accessible to fans. Band drummer Chris Garylor said he hopes the show “want to go to the show again and see that he can see something without paying exorbitant money.”
Videos of the show are flooded with social media.
Some take them to Tiktok and offer backyards for potential future shows.
Police appeared to have closed one event in Missouri, but the non-traditional tour was widely popular.
“This has become bigger than our band,” Ritter said. “I think this was something that got me talking to people last week and got me nervous.”
He said the band plans to continue their house party tours over the summer.
