Bleachers Forever In Boston

American rock band and New Jersey superstars Bleachers stopped by Boston's MGM Music Hall for an electric two-show stint on June 16th and 17th. Following Boston had the honor of reporting live from the first sold-out performance, where hordes of fans poured into the venue right at doors. The merchandise line stretched over three flights of stairs, where fans buzzed with excitement to snag exclusive designs, like a numbered Boston-specific poster featuring a dreamy cityscape.

First up was country-pop duo Hovvdy, who, like Bleachers, were making their first return to the venue since 2024. Members Charlie Martin and Will Taylor sauntered on stage in plaid and jeans with a three-piece band. Tracks like "Heartstring," "Jean," and their latest single, "Try Try Try," set a euphoric tone for the night, infusing the venue with energy. Fans swayed to the twangy melodies, mesmerized by their charm and raw vocals. The band announced they'll be back in Boston at the Royale this fall, before inviting fans to meet them at the merch booth after their set.

Soon after, the lights dimmed again, and fans released thunderous cheers. The sparkling notes of the opening track from Bleachers' latest album, everyone for ten minutes, filled the venue as the eight-piece band strutted on stage and waved to fans. Frontman Jack Antonoff grabbed the mic and delivered his signature grainy and earnest vocals. A giant four-story deconstructed recording studio conquered the stage. Vintage synths, recording tape machines, drum sets, pianos, amps, and more transported the venue to a recording session with the band. Fans waved their posters in the air, one reading "London's finest Bostonian," to share how far they had traveled for this show. Bleachers' magnetic commanding presence kept eyes glued to the stage as they fed off each other's energy, inspiring fans to embrace the show with the same spirit of joy and abandon.

Tracks like "Everybody Lost Somebody" and "you and forever" showcased the importance of live instrumentation. Their soaring brass arrangements and expressive piano melodies added depth, texture, and a palpable feel to each song that only live music can convey. In a world of backing tracks and streaming, Bleachers created a much-needed immersive and intimate atmosphere, transforming their set into a singular experience that existed only for those in the room that night. During the latter song, Antonoff jumped down to the barricade, grabbing fans' hands and screaming the bridge with them, a needed moment of release.

Toward the middle of the show, Antonoff surprised the crowd with a soulful acoustic performance of "Dream of Mickey Mantle." Usually at this point in the set, he performs a cover of "Margaret" by Lana Del Rey. Antonoff has an incomparable and robust list of past collaborators in the industry, where he co-produces, writes, and creates stunning tracks like this one, which was inspired by his wife, Margaret Qualley. This setlist swap was welcomed by fans, who were excited to hear a deep cut the band has performed only a handful of times this tour. Who said that Christmas couldn't be in the summertime? Soon after, the band cheekily snuck in a passionate rendition of their anti-Christmas song "Merry Christmas, Please Don't Call."

Bleachers wove hits and fan favorites from their expansive discography across the setlist. The 2014 track "Rollercoaster" got fans up on each other's shoulders, dancing to the beat. The band saved their powerful first single "I Wanna Get Better" for the second-to-last performance of the night. Even after a decade, the cathartic anthem continues to unite fans, who sang along emphatically as if it were the first song of the night. By the end of their set, they had performed nearly every track from their new album, satisfying fans who had clearly embraced the record. They ended the show on a high note, performing the groovy song "Stop Making This Hurt" with the bouncy piano holding the energy. The song served as a heartfelt farewell, with lyrics like "Stop making this hurt / Say goodbye like you mean it" tiding fans over until Boston's show number two. Make sure to catch Bleachers live before the BLEACHERS FOREVER tour ends in December. Buy tickets here.