Ten studio albums, 22 years later, and decades of touring have made Towson, Maryland’s emo-pop quintet All Time Low champions. Tonight’s packed Tuesday-night affair at The Factory STL was proof that, while the men might not know, the little girls still understand. All Time Low brought their highly anticipated ‘Everyone’s Talking!’ A tour back to the greater St. Louis area, generating buzz and excitement among fans. They played to an absolutely supercharged, passionate, excited, dedicated crowd of longtime and newish fans.
Opening acts, including Paradox, Mayday Parade, and The Cab, all did a great job priming the crowd for the main event. Paradox went on at the early hour of 6:30 pm, so many fans were still on their way to the venue, or just arriving by the time they were almost finished with their set. That is always the downside of being the first band on a larger bill. All three bands seemed to have either won over new fans or attracted existing ones, as was the case with The Cab and Mayday Parade.
All openers and the headliner fell under the large, catchall banner of emocore or new punk-pop music, and their youthful exuberance and themes of adolescence, love lost, and struggles to fit in resonated with the faithful. In short, it was a great lineup and value for the hard-earned concert dollar.
And then, it was time for the big event. After a cool PA playlist of classic tunes, including the clang of ELO’s 1970s classic, “Mr. Blue Sky,” All Time Low’s giant backdrop screen featured video snippets of the band members and various phrases from albums and song lyrics. The band members entered the darkened, foggy stage and took their positions on the backline.
Armed with an acoustic guitar and his hair tucked under his baseball cap, frontman, guitarist, and vocalist Alex Gaskarth strode out under a spotlight with a confident grin, and the crowd erupted. This wasn’t just a concert—it felt like a reunion of sorts: old friends meeting under strobe lights, trading lyrics they’ve known by heart for years.
After finishing that acoustic opening (solo) number “Cold Open,” the band lit into the opening chords of “Oh No!” The crowd surfing commenced and erupted during various numbers throughout the show. Fans weren’t just singing at the top of their lungs; they were also jumping, crowd-surfing, and letting it all hang out, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
The band took the fans on a two-hour-plus musical journey, playing 19 tracks, a drum solo, and three encores, including the closer, “Dear Maria, Count Me In,” as well as “Hate This Song,” Weightless,” and so much more. They played tracks from at least nine studio albums, including six songs from “Everyone’s Talking,” three from “Nothing Personal,” and at least one to two tracks from multiple other studio albums. Fans heard the hits and even deep cuts that they may have forgotten.
The band embraced the spirit of the moment, leaning into their pop-punk roots while also showing how they’ve grown. The interplay between Gaskarth and guitarist Jack Barakat—teasing each other, trading riffs, beckoning the audience to sing louder—made the show feel both intimate and stadium-sized.
After the third number, and before launching into “Weightless,” Gaskarth and Barakat engaged in a hilarious and warm exchange with members of the audience. Gaskarth exclaimed, “How have you guys been?” A member of the audience threw up a baby tee and asked them to sign it. Barakat joked, “I usually draw dicks on things people ask us to sign, but not this; this is for a baby.”
Gaskarth also added, “I support weekday rowdiness. Anyone can do Saturday night rowdiness, but Tuesday rowdiness is better.”
But the night wasn’t merely a greatest-hits parade. Tracks like “SUCKERPUNCH” and “Dirty Laundry” showed how the band has matured—lyrically more introspective, musically broader—without losing the playful spark that fans responded to over the years. The band divided the evening’s presentation into Act 1, Act II, and encores, showcasing their musical growth and diversity.
In terms of crowd interaction, there were plenty of fun surprises: Barakat jumped into the audience during one song, leading a chant from the floor, while Gaskarth encouraged everyone to raise their hands, turn to a neighbor, and sing the following line together. These little touches made the concert feel “real” and highly memorable.
In short, All Time Low proved that they still have it, and their hard work has built a legion of loyal fans. They’re still capable of commanding a room and reminding everyone what made them stick in the first place: hooks, heart, and wholehearted performance.
If you were there, you left with ringing ears, a kick in your step, and a “I-was-there” kind of glow, in awe of their commanding stage presence.
