There’s no shortage of comments online about how 10-, 15- or 20-year anniversary tours are a cash grab (and frankly, when it comes to the vast majority of VIP packages, I agree), but as a lifelong listener of full albums over singles who was too poor for a long time to attend even a fraction of the gigs I’d have loved to, I’ve been living for shows like the one The Academy Is… played on May 7 at Ace of Spades in support of their debut, “Almost Here.”
The energy in the crowd and onstage was more infectious than a preschool classroom. The interaction between band members put the love they have for one another after 20 years on full display. Adults with 401ks who had dug out the scene clothes they’ve apparently been holding for a rainy day were almost indistinguishable from the teens donning the eye makeup and hair styles of a bygone era.
More importantly, to me: Nostalgia tours are a place for reconnection. I’ve yet to attend a reunion or album anniversary tour where I didn’t bump into someone I haven’t seen in a long time. In this case, two folks I haven’t seen since community college (not too long after The Academy Is… called it day) — one of whom was/is a cherished friend who I now have plans to rebuild that friendship with, which isn’t something we get enough opportunities to do in this life. Without this show, who knows if I’d ever get the chance to make up for being dreadful at staying in touch? So, in addition to checking off a bucket list band of my list, I’m going to be remembering this gig for a long time.
