Atreyu (Yorba Linda, CA), Norma Jean (Atlanta, GA), Zero 9:36 (Langhorne, PA)
November 29, 2025
Skyway Theater in Minneapolis, MN
Just in time for the festive season, it’s been a snowy end of the calendar year. It’s been awhile since I’ve trekked out in a snowstorm for a concert. Last time I believe it was for 5 Seconds of Summer at the Varsity Theater.
This time around, it probably wasn’t me that was asking “Why do I do these types of things?” but more so Atreyu last Saturday. Word got out before the show that they were very lucky to have made it up here to Minneapolis, as their bus broke down on the way. I believe in the luck entirely. As I’ve gotten older, and the more I drive in snowy conditions, I’ve come to appreciate bands (and also think they’re a bit crazy) that drive and tour across the country during the winter months.
Atreyu made a return to Skyway Theater, this time back in the main room, and while Skyway isn’t my absolute favorite venue (it’s fine), I’ll always have a special place in my heart. The first time I saw the band was in the main room 2019, and in the middle of that show was when I got asked to make things official from my now wife . It’s obviously been a core memory for me ever since, and the band will forever be tied to feelings and memories of back then.
I’m what you could call a “New Atreyu Fan.” So called true fans would call it blasphemous, but Lead Sails Paper Anchor is one of my favorite albums of all time, and I’ve much preferred the stuff that came out afterwards than before. However, I’ve always known there’s gold somewhere in the older stuff. Songs like “Ex’s and Ohs” and “Bleeding Mascara” took over playlists of mine at the time, and whenever I’d hear those songs and other from the albums they’re on live, I would love them.
This current tour Atreyu has been on is in celebration of their The Curse album. It’s been 21 years since it’s release and it sounded really fucking good live. As good of a drummer Brandon Saller is and as much as I miss him behind the kit, he continues to fit so well in the frontman role of the band. I’ve been a fan of his singing and screams for the better part of a decade now, and Porter McKnight has been a great fill-in for Alex Varkatzas’s parts. One thing that continually made me laugh throughout the set was Travis Miguel constantly eating donuts or cake between songs. Shoutout Cardigan Donuts?
An added positive of getting to see Atreyu in the middle of a snowstorm, whoever made it out you could almost guarantee that they’d be a die hard fan of the band, and fans definitely showed out. While it was probably a smaller crowd because of the weather, the fans that were there definitely made up for it, making it feel more intimate and important of a show. A mark of a good show for me is always if it gets me to listen through the band’s stuff afterwards, and over the last week The Curse has been on heavy rotation.
If the guys of Atreyu somehow get around to reading this, above all else just know how appreciated it is y’all made it up here! Touring is already hard as hell, and I knew that if you guys were able to make it from Chicago, the least I could do is make the 30 minute drive downtown to support them and see one of my favorite bands.
Until next time!
