When I requested this show, I thought it would be a great night for emo 2000s nostalgia. The Roxian Theatre is easily one of my favorite venues in Pittsburgh despite the awkwardly narrow pit, but I was skeptical of the size as I’ve always thought of Story of the Year and Senses Fail as bigger bands from my teenage years.
The lineup drew in crowds of all ages – from Gen X and Elder Millennials to 4-year-olds with the finest ear protection. Immediately, the lines for drinks and merchandise were some of the longest lines I’ve seen in the venue.
The main floor of the venue, behind the sound system was packed, along with a packed pit only a few steps down. For people who like to sit for their shows, balcony seating gives a prime view of the stage. The beautiful architecture makes for a stunning view.
Armor for Sleep, hailing from New Jersey, opened for the co-headliners. You would have no idea this band was an opener by how they drew the crowd in immediately. Admittedly, I did not know this band from my teenage years before they originally disbanded in 2009, but their long history and recent re-unification in 2020 clearly drew out the die-hard emo kids in the crowd. Their stage lights were dark, but their presence was energizing. Ben Jorgensen, the lead vocalist, encouraged the crowd to head to the basement after their set to check out their merchandise, but also to meet him downstairs. The guy wanted friends in Pittsburgh – who wouldn’t? Following the set, a crowd rushed to the basement with urgency – to use the restrooms or meet Ben? I didn’t try to find out.
After their set, the Roxian did the entire venue a solid by playing a wide range of popular emo songs. The crowd, and even the security guards, sang in unison to songs by Panic at the Disco, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Fallout Boy, The Used, and AFI.
Senses Fail opened with a single spotlight on their drummer, Steve Carey, and hit the stage with their 2004 hit “Buried a Lie.” The crowd engaged immediately with the animated lead vocalist, Buddy Nielsen, rushing back and forth on stage with his contagious energy. As the third song, “Calling All Cars,” picked up, people began crowd surfing and soaring over the barricade.
Senses Fail’s stage presence and style was nothing short of relatable for all original fans. While the band looked like middle-aged dads in button up shirts, Buddy’s fit was straight out of the 2000s with a baseball tee and thick eyeliner. Buddy made a special shout-out to Pittsburgh, a city they haven’t visited since they were teenagers in 2003, noting the gray skies, plethora of bars, and the fries… fries on everything. The lead singer’s comedic relief, including a nod to releasing the Epstein files, just added to their captivating performance amazing performance.
Before exiting the stage, the band played their major hits “Can’t Be Saved” and “Bite to Break Skin,” leaving the stage with an epic ending.
Starting their set, Story of the Year rolled out on scooters under the dimmed light before taking center stage with their power hit, “Gasoline,” from their latest album, “A.R.S.O.N.,” to be released February 13th, 2026. Although in their 30s and 40s, every band member ran and kicked across stage throughout the set, including the high energy guitarist and bassist with their cut off tees and spiky hair, their style circa Y2K California.
With hits ranging from being released in 2003 to 2025, the crowd belted out the new songs as much as the old, indicative of their lasting talent and ability to keep the same sound but adjust throughout the decades. In the middle of the set, the lead vocalist, Dan Marsala, called for an “oval” pit, appropriate for the Roxian’s floor. The crowd rallied and the oval pit was formed as people continued to crowd surf the short distance from the back to the front of the pit.
Later in the set, the singer called for everyone to bust out their cell phone flashlights to create an ambience for “Sidewalk,” a song from their 2003 album, “Page Avenue,” about growing up, nostalgia, and the passing of time… a representation of the entire night. The band ended the night with their most popular song, “Until the Day I Die,” as the singer rallied the audience to take over the chorus with an explosive finale to the set.
Overall, a solid night of nostalgia of more emo times. As my friend who saw them in Vegas said, “They’ve still got it.” I couldn’t have asked for a better show from these guys. Maybe a bigger venue, though.