I've been following AAR since their 'Move Along' days, and seeing them perform in intimate house party settings has completely transformed my connection to their music. Last summer, I hosted 30 people in my basement for a livestream of their Chicago house show, and the energy was incredible - it felt like we were all teenagers again, screaming every word to 'Swing Swing' while sharing pizza and memories.
I am a producer and DJ, and I have been working on research and analysis of the possibility of utilizing music to connect with the audience on an emotional plane over the last 10 years, and, thus, I can state that the House Party Tour by the All-American Rejects as not only a comeback but also a master course in fan relations. These performances lower the velvet ropes of the mega-venues and get to something that the fans desire even more of reality. When musicians appear in your backyard or any other local location, it is no longer a concert, then it becomes part of a memory. The fact that they have resurfaced has made me fall in love with their music again and also with their capacity to transform themselves and still keep in mind who they are. That's rare. Since society is so eager to watch something viral, the Rejects decided to do something that no one is doing, and that is exactly why it was successful. Nostalgia was not the only aspect of this tour. It was all about demonstrating that the true bond can never go out of style.