There’s been a massive amount of throwback tours pop over the last five or six years. They’ve all been 90’s tours, though. The 2000’s were just as much of a special time and the nostalgia for that decade has started to gain more and more momentum.
The Union Underground are one band that’s resurfaced over the last few years, mainly playing festivals at first but, they’ve recently hit the road for the Back to the 2000’s Tour with Flaw, Ra and SOiL, and the tour made an early stop at Piere’s in Fort Wayne for a rare all-ages show for the venue.
Just four dates into the tour, things were still fresh but also late enough to where any kinks were ironed out. Flaw took the stage first, opening the night with a quick five-song set that harkened every song back to their debut- Through the Eyes.
They sounded much better than they have in the past and the crowd was into it from the jump and lost their minds when the band said they would be releasing a new album later this year.
Ra was up next and focused on a much more intimate set, featuring solely singer Sahaj Ticotin and a touring drummer. With just six songs in the set, Ticotin didn’t take much time to talk to the crowd as he was pressed for time to begin with. Vocally, he sounded better than ever, hitting all the notes that set him apart from everyone else.
Toward the end of the set, he surprised the Fort Wayne crowd with Downstait singer Zack Call joining him for “Do You Call My Name,” leading to a roar of excitement as the set came to a close.
SOiL took the stage next, nailing down a nine-song set that included all the favorites from their career and saw singer Ryan McCombs talking and joking with the crowd off and on. Featuring the classic lineup of the band with the exception of drummer Tom Schofield, the band focused on their breakthrough record- Scars, ending with “Halo.”
The Union Underground closed out the night and, with giant banners adorning both sides of the stage, reading “UU,” it had a special and unique feel. Though out of order, they played their debut/sole record- An Education in Rebellion in full.
They did, however throw in a new track they’ve been toying with in “Faith Collapsing,” promising the fans a new record. The song fit right in with the rest of the band’s material and, if it’s any indication of what to expect, the new record will be a perfect follow up to the band’s debut record.
Closing the night out with “Across the Nation,” which was the WWE Raw theme song for years, the crowd was deafening and had just as much energy as they did at the start of the night.
This tour is 2000’s nostalgia at its best and brings back some of the most memorable songs and anthems of the decade. It’s also a tour that could easily see more incarnations over the years and has a lot of potential to be an annual staple of the rock and nu-metal touring cycle.
-Reggie Edwards
