the setlist - 014 - Reintroduction
November 18th, 2025
Reintroduction - Echo chamber
It has been a long time. I have written much. Published little.
Since the last newsletter over a year ago, I have not slowed down attending shows, capturing photos, seeking adventures, and diving into music. I found myself stuck in my own echo-chamber. For some, it is politics, news, friends, or social circles. For me, it was music. I entrench myself so deeply into the music, news, and circles of the genres that I love, I fell into the mindset that my words were just another bit of noise amongst a crowded scene.
This re-introduction is my reframing to share what I have found valuable and worth sharing with my friends (yourselves). I hope you are also willing to do the same as I learn so much from reading your stories, blogs, music recommendations, and cool things that you discover.
There are truly so many amazing things right now happening across music that I love, artists that have had formative impacts into my perspectives and passion for life, as well as upcoming tours where these bands are taking time away from their families to share these songs live with us. The appreciation for this, for the sacrifices made, cannot be understated and I encourage you to bring your support by attending shows, buying merch, letting the artists know the importance and meaning that the songs bring, and continuing to share these moments and songs to your own friend circles.Join me as I highlight my top 5 setlist.
Geoff Rickly - “Someone Who Isn’t Me” - audiobook release
“but there’s a power in ordinary things; it’s called meaning.”
- Geoff Rickly
Geoff Rickly (Thursday, No Devotion, United Nations) takes listeners on an immersive journey into his newly released, self narrated audiobook of “Someone Who Isn’t Me”. His honest, soft-spoken voice draws in the listener, feeling as if he is speaking directly to you.
The book captures Geoff’s experience surviving the grip of addiction and the battle for healing wrapped within the raw, vivid, unapologetic depictions of an artist “balancing the invisible line separating this world from the next”.
The audiobook features a backing musical score also written by Geoff; introducing cohesion to a creative masterpiece. You can listen to the book on Audible and make sure to support Geoff by purchasing the musical score from Bandcamp.
Armor For Sleep - “There Is No Memory” - album release
“I don’t know where you landed, but I hope you found some solace, and even though you shattered my world, I wish you all the best.”
Armor For Sleep released their latest album, “There is no memory”. If I was asked to name a band that consistently releases true, no-skip albums, it would be Armor For Sleep and this latest release is no exception. As a space nerd, I love that their songs carry themes of space and nature which I’m excited to use as soundtracks to my photography.
The album gazes into the past, reminiscing of memories, heartbreak, and questions; while contrasting the anguish of these memories with the battle of moving forward, healing, and regaining hope in life through the passage of time.
Some of these songs will absolutely go hard live and I cannot wait to experience this. I hope they fill their set with a lot of these new songs. Check them out on their upcoming tour with Senses Fail and Story of the Year.
Hayley Williams - “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” - album release
“They say that Jesus is the way but then they gave him a white face. So they don’t have to pray to someone lesser than them.”
Hayley just received four 2026 Grammy nominations, launched her newly self-released album, “Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party”, and announced an upcoming tour with every show selling out immediately. If you want to experience the power of this album, watch her performance of “True Believer” on Jimmy Fallon.
Thank you Hayley for your impact to art and music.
Lately, my Tiktok FYP has been loaded with clips from the Chariot. One of these clips was even shared as a story amongst Hayley Williams’ instagram (as well as a Josh Scogin name drop during her recent Popcast interview) - “I wanted to be Josh Scogin from The Chariot”. Real. I think we all want to be Josh Scogin from Chariot.
I unfortunately don’t have any photographs of Hayley which hopefully I can address in the future but I have one of Josh (68’, The Chariot, Norma Jean, Luti-Kriss) while 68’ was on tour with Emery.
Emery - “White Line Fever” - album release
“And we knew the stakes were high,
some days we laughed, some days we cried.
Chasing dreams and wasting time,
these were the best days of our lives.”
Emery released a re-master of their “White Line Fever” album. Maybe considered the lost album, the band pulled it from streaming services in preparation for a future, re-mastered release. That time is now. Whether you have previously listened to the album, or you are yet to check it out, it is worth your time. It has always been one of my favorite Emery albums, and the re-mastered version brings it to life.
The album is filled with their signature dual vocals and harmonies, screaming backgrounds and keys, layers of catchy riffs, heavy beats, and a fusion of notes highlighting the emotion of the thoughtful, raw, heartfelt lyrics.
If you have not already, make sure to catch one of Emery’s upcoming tour dates as they celebrate 20 Years of The Question. They bring a stacked lineup of support with As Cities Burn and The Classic Crime; bringing a night of musical celebration.
Mae - “The Everglow” - 20 year album tour
“Hope. It’s the light that strikes, that burns inside of me.
It’s a blinding light, but somehow I can see. Again.”
The night was alive. It was electric. The Sunday night Indianapolis crowd showed up singing to celebrate a soundtrack of our youth. “The Everglow” is a concept album that originally came packaged with a storybook to further immerse the listener into the Everglow.
Experiencing Mae live truly is a multisensory aesthetic experience. Even with this show being the final stop of this leg of the tour, the band gave it everything, sensing joy through their smiles and engagement.
The band was polished, the set flowed continuously, and everything came together with emotion as Dave’s words resounded through the historic Deluxe room of the Old National Centre.
This was not my first time seeing Mae, as I was able to catch a show from the original "Everglow tour in 2006 where Mae toured with The Spill Canvas and had opening support from House of Heroes. I was with my girlfriend (now wife) and we stopped at Buffalo, NY to see them as we traveled back from Niagara Falls.
The evening was a surreal experience and if you have the opportunity to catch a show on the next leg of tour; buy the ticket and go. Mae and The Spill Canvas are co-headlining the tour, rotating the closing spot between each date.
Encore
Music 🎸
My recent songs on repeat.
Emery - 2:38
Armor For Sleep - All The Best
Twenty One Pilots - Downstairs
Dayseeker - Crawl Back To My Coffin
The Devil Wears Prada - Where the Flowers Never Grow
Hayley Williams - True Believer
Tours 🎟️
My money spending tips.
Silverstein/Thursday - 25 Years of Noise
Senses Fail/Story of the Year/Armor for Sleep - Scream Team tour
Emery/As Cities Burn/The Classic Crime - 20 Years of The Question/Hell or High Water/Albatross
Mae/The Spill Canvas - 20 years of The Everglow/One Fell Swoop
Hayley Williams - At a Bachelorette Party
Thank you for joining me again with this edition of the setlist! 🙏🏼
Feel free to message me about things you liked, opportunities for improvement, and what I should do differently. See you again next week in the emo setlist!
Stay emo 🖤
Ryan - @thisisryanelkins