My first steps into the venue for Something Corporate’s reunion tour date in Tempe, Arizona felt like entering a time machine, with the air buzzing with excitement from fans who had been waiting years for this moment. The “Out of Office Tour” marks the band’s first trek in nearly two decades, bringing together the original lineup—Andrew McMahon, Josh Partington, William Tell, Kevin Page, and Brian Ireland—to celebrate their legacy in the emo and pop-punk scenes.
As the lights dimmed and the first notes of “Straw Dog” filled the room, it was clear that Something Corporate was back and ready to reclaim their place in the hearts of their fans. McMahon’s energy was infectious, he radiated a mix of nostalgia and joy and turned the entire venue into his personal playground. As soon as the photographers cleared the photo pit, he immediately jumped down off the stage and serenaded all the fans along the barricade for the entirety of the next two songs before making his way into the crowd and traversing from one side of the crowd to the other.
The setlist was a carefully curated journey through their discography, blending classics like “Drunk Girl," “Hurricane," and "Cavanaugh Park," with newer tracks such as “Happy.” Each song sparked a wave of nostalgia, with the crowd singing along passionately. Incorporated throughout the evening were heartfelt anecdotes from McMahon, who reflected on his battle with cancer and the significance of being alive to perform. This vulnerability added depth to the already emotional experience, reminding everyone of the power of music to heal and connect. McMahon also made a sweet notion about the parents in the crowd bringing their kids to the show and how it's the kids who will carry the torch.
Visually, the production was impressive; with LED screens that enhanced the performance without overshadowing the music. The band took a few playful breaks to showcase archival footage from their early days, which highlighted not only their journey but also the enduring friendship among the members.
The band closed the night with a rousing performance of “I Woke Up in a Car,” followed by the upbeat anthem "Punk Rock Princess," before heading off the stage as fans loudly roared for an encore. After a 3 minute break, the fans were treated to the much-anticipated “Konstantine,” which brought a wave of emotions to the forefront, with many in the audience visibly moved. I know I shed a couple of tears.
On the final song of the night, the band closed off with the classic "If You C Jordan" but before they could hit the chorus, Andrew instructed the entire band to stop playing to attend a fan that was in need of medical help. Every member rushed down to the barricade to assist security. After about a 10 minute break and a sweet message from Andrew, the band loudly pondered how they could possibly continue. William approached McMahon and whispered in his ear before Andrew announced that they would cover Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" while jokingly stating that he doesn't even know the lyrics and thus he'd need the crowds help. Unsurprisingly, the crowd came through as they sang the entire song at the top of their lungs. Personally, one of the most impressive elements of the entire night, besides McMahon's many jumps off of the piano, was the extremely smooth transition from the final note of the Aerosmith cover into the chorus of the final song that was paused earlier. They truly did not miss a beat.
As the song nearly came to an end, McMahon had one last task for the audience. He said he really wanted to pay his sound guy a visit because he missed him so he would need the audiences help getting there. The crowd gathered as Andrew dove on top of them as they crowdsurfed him to the soundboard and then back to stage to finish the outro of the track.
It was clear that this Something Corporate tour was more than just a nostalgic trip, it was a celebration of the music that has shaped countless lives through the years. With fans leaving the venue still buzzing and loudly singing the chorus to that final song, the palpable excitement left one feeling hopeful for the future—perhaps more music from Something Corporate is on the horizon.
