Getting the news that I’d be seeing Aly & AJ absolutely made my Tuesday morning. Like anyone else my age, I grew up as a fan of their music, shows, and movies, and being able to finally see them after being a fan for so many years felt unreal. I had unfortunately missed their show in Philly the year prior, so I was excited to get the chance to see them at one of my favorite venues.

I arrived at the TLA not long before doors opened, and it was clear how excited everyone was to get inside. Each fellow fan I met was incredibly kind, and the energy the crowd brought to the show was incredible.

Armors took the stage first, and had no trouble hyping up the crowd. I hadn’t listened to them before the show, but I fell in love with their music then and there. It was obvious to everyone in the room how much fun the band was having, and that energy translated into the crowd.

It wasn’t long before Aly & AJ took the stage, and I was blown away by their performance. Their set was filled with new songs and throwbacks; I can honestly say that their performance was incredible. Aly & AJ are one of the few groups I’ve seen that sound exactly, if not better, live as they do recorded. They showcased such raw talent, and the crowd adored it. I also noticed the lack of phones out during the show; the fans were there to feel the music and make memories, not to watch the show through a screen.

Halfway through the set, Aly & AJ took a moment to stop and bring attention to their work with The Trevor Project. Having worked with the organization on tours multiple times in the past, I was incredibly happy to see Aly & AJ working with them as well. On top of that, it felt amazing to be recognized and supported, as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, by two of my biggest inspirations growing up.

After their set, I had the privilege to meet the girls after the show. I can say without a doubt that Aly & AJ are some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. In the period of time I had with them, I felt like I was hanging out with two friends, laughing and sharing stories about our weeks.

If you’re interested in checking out Aly & AJ on the Sanctuary Tour, I highly recommend it- it’ll be a show you never forget.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

5/31: Minneapolis, MN

6/2: Columbus: OH

6/3: Toronto, ON

6/4: Dayton, OH

6/5: Indianapolis, IN

6/7: Dallas, TX

6/8: Houston, TX

6/9: Austin, TX

6/11: Phoenix, AZ

6/14: Denver, CO

6/15: Salt Lake City, UT

6/18: Vancouver, BC

6/19: Seattle, WA

6/20: Portland, OR

6/22: Pleasanton, CA

6/23: Anaheim, CA

6/25: San Diego, CA

6/26: Los Angeles, CA

6/27: Los Angeles, CA

Author

  • Caitlyn McGonigal

    Caitlyn is Ascribe's founder and Editor-in-Chief. She is a graduate of Drexel University, and is currently located in Orlando where she works as a music photographer locally. She can be found at her local indie show or streaming on Twitch.

    View all posts
Previous post The Ghost Of Ohio: Track By Track
Next post Interview: Breaking Even