New Jersey natives, The Gaslight Anthem, found their way to Los Angeles on August 6th for their History Books Tour. The iconic Greek Theatre was the perfect venue for the band’s ranging demographic of fans, allowing a relaxed yet playful environment. After entering the gates there were couches to lounge, lawn games where I watched a riveting game of Cornhole, as well as food and drinks available before the start of the show. 

Once the venue opened the curtains to the stage area, attendees began filling seats and settling in. Canadian rock band The Dirty Nil kicked off the night with a vocally stellar rock set, and Joyce Manor then took the stage for a pop punk hometown performance. But once the sun had set, Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’ played through the speakers, and we knew it was time for the main event. 

The Gaslight Anthem, known for their nostalgic lyrics and melodic rock sound, disappointed nobody with the release of comeback album, History Books. 

With a 10 year gap between album releases, the band made it clear they knew who The Gaslight Anthem is, and delivered the sound everyone had been missing during their hiatus. This firm understanding of the band’s identity allowed them to showcase their newest and deliver their oldest while maintaining the momentum and natural flow expected of their shows.

Every track of their extensive twenty song set list hit the mark with the crowd, and as I looked around, I noticed just how many families had come together for the show. I was reminded of how bonding The Gaslight Anthem’s music had been for so many since their formation back in the mid 2000s. Parents, children, and friends of all ages sang along with a clear note of sentimentality. In my case, the nostalgia hit me the hardest at the beginning with their second song “Handwritten” and again towards the end with “Mae”. This venue and these songs under the night sky made for a beautiful show, which clearly meant so much to so many.