w/ mxmtoon and Almost Monday | 6:45pm | 1401 Clark Ave. | All ages | $45.40 – $145
If you caught my Taylor Swift review last summer, you already know how I feel about acronyms.
IFLT.
What better way to celebrate the anniversary of that review than with a band whose entire identify exists within an acronym?
New York brothers Adam, Jack, and Ryan Mat, collectively known as AJR, have battled their way to the top of the pop music charts since their inception in 2005. The trio capitalized on early social media as a way to get their music to listeners and it has paid off in a big way with several viral hits through the years including “BANG!” which took over TikTok for months last year. Not many bands can say their breakout hit sampled a popular animated yellow sponge, but AJR did just that with “I’m Ready,” going platinum in Australia and earning ample airtime on satellite radio after its debut in 2013. The catchy pop tune used the beloved famous line from SpongeBob SquarePants as its opener and caught the attention of many big names at the time, including Sia and their current manager, Steve Greenberg.
AJR last visited St. Louis in 2022, playing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. This time, the band returns to our city for The Maybe Man Tour at Enterprise Center on July 6th. The tour follows the 2023 release of their fifth studio album of the same title, which was their debut with Mercury Records/Republic Records. The album released to mixed reviews, which I find to be a general theme in pop music as many critics search for deeper meaning behind lyrics that are meant to be upbeat and, at times, surface level. There is nothing wrong with surface level music, yet many continue to search for the emotional depth of artists like Adele or Billie Eilish who are known for ballads to make you cry, and that simply isn’t AJR. This isn’t to say the trio isn’t capable of making us feel with songs like “Turning Out” or “God Is Really Real,” but they do so in a way that is still cheerful and optimistic, consistent with their platform. If you’re looking for a show with crowd interaction and an abundance of smiles, AJR at Enterprise Center is one to add to your roster.
After nearly twenty years in the industry, it’s safe to assume AJR wouldn’t tour without a stellar supporting lineup, and that’s what St. Louis is getting with openers mxmtoon and Almost Monday. If it’s emotional depth you’re looking for, mxmtoon has you covered. Another artist who harnessed the power of social media, the singer first found her market on YouTube, where she cleverly released music recorded on GarageBand playing her ukulele and utilizing objects around her room such as a hair straightener to add percussion. Described by her fan base as endearing, the singer’s lyrics are introspective and vulnerable, navigating the complexities of relationships and finding her own identity. Late last year, mxmtoon treated her followers to a re-recorded album of her early hits which she mastered exclusively with a team of women to reinvigorate the nostalgia of her early successes. Fans anxious for new music are in for a treat, as the rumor on the street is she will be releasing a new album later this year!
Almost Monday is a dreadful name for such a fun band, but perhaps that was the intent when selecting their moniker—turn the dread at the end of a weekend into the joyful feeling their music evokes. I was less familiar with this band so I jumped in with “can’t slow down” and found myself immediately nodding along to a melody reminiscent of Fitz and the Tantrums or Cage the Elephant. Pop meets techno, Almost Monday will surely be a high energy set to get the Saturday night started at Enterprise Center. The newest band on the night’s roster, Almost Monday debuted their EP Don’t Say You’re Ordinary in late 2020 through Hollywood Records before releasing a steady stream of singles through this year. The band is opening select dates on The Maybe Man Tour and St. Louis is lucky enough to catch the trio live.
July 6th is set up to be full of fireworks as the Independence Day weekend culminates in AJR at Enterprise Center. Tickets are still available here for those looking to catch a night of music and what’s sure to be an impressive and interactive show. MSYDMOOTO! | Erica Vining
AJR on tour:
06.30.24 – LITTLE CAESARS ARENA, DETROIT, MI
07.03.24 – ALLSTATE ARENA, CHICAGO, IL
07.04.24 – SUMMERFEST, MILWAUKEE, WI
07.06.24 – ENTERPRISE CENTER, ST. LOUIS, MO
07.09.24 – TOYOTA CENTER, HOUSTON, TX
07.10.24 – DICKIES ARENA, DALLAS, TX
07.12.24 – FOOTPRINT CENTER, PHOENIX, AZ
07.14.24 – THE KIA FORUM, LOS ANGELES, CA
07.16.24 – DELTA CENTER, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
07.17.24 – DELTA CENTER, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
07.18.24 – BALL ARENA, DENVER, CO
07.20.24 – BALL ARENA, DENVER, CO
07.21.24 – CHI HEALTH CENTER OMAHA, OMAHA, NE
07.23.24 – HERITAGE BANK CENTER, CINCINNATI, OH
07.25.24 – WELLS FARGO CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA
07.26.24 – MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY, NY
07.27.24 – MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY, NY
07.30.24 – STATE FARM ARENA, ATLANTA, GA
07.31.24 – BRIDGESTONE ARENA, NASHVILLE, TN
08.02.24 – CAPITAL ONE ARENA, WASHINGTON, DC
08.03.24 – TD GARDEN, BOSTON, MA
08.20.24 – JAMSIL INDOOR STADIUM, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
