Dashboard Confessional • Boys Like Girls • Taylor Acorn • October 15, 2024 • The Complex
Reviewed and Photographed by Morgan Newbold
Last week, Salt Lake welcomed alternative American rock band Dashboard Confessional to The Complex! They made their rounds to Utah on their fall U.S. tour, after 2 years since their last show here! I was stoked to see and photograph these guys! Their music has been something I keep coming back to over the past couple of years. I really enjoy their sound and their spirit. I got to shoot alongside some of my best friends and enjoy a phenomenal performance from Dashboard. The Complex is probably the venue I’ve photographed at the most, and it’s always a great time. This was a nearly sold out show, and it was PACKED. Even as the first of two openers came on at 6:30 on a Tuesday night, a majority of the fans were already there!
Taylor Acorn
The first opener was Taylor Acorn. She’s a darling pop-punk artist from Pennsylvania. I had never heard of her before, but her vocals and musical talent really impressed me! She rocks pink/blonde hair, and everyone in the crowd seemed to really like her and her performance! She played an engaging set and had a great onstage presence that captivated the crowd. It was a substantially millennial crowd, which was expected, and so many people were rocking merch from both Dashboard Confessional and the following opening band, ‘Boys Like Girls’.
Boys Like Girls
Boys Like Girls is a beloved American rock band from Boston. They formed in 2005 and gained commercial and mainstream success from their self titled debut album that was released in 2006. They have 4 studio albums now. Even through short hiatuses and departing bandmembers, their career has been pretty consistently successful from constant touring, including them supporting bands like Fall Out Boy, The Maine, and Good Charlotte, as well being on MTV, and playing at Warped Tour in 2007.
Their set had great energy, I had never really heard their music before so I very much enjoyed getting to hear them live for my initial impression. They seem to have great chemistry and even better stage presence and crowd interaction. Definitely could see their passion and love for their fans. There were a ton of devoted Boys Like Girls fans in that crowd. They played an electric collection of songs from all of their albums and finished with their hit ‘The Great Escape’. It was pretty sick!
Dashboard Confessional
When Dashboard Confessional finally made their way to the stage, I was really pumped. Vocalist and frontman Chris Carraba is a really cool, genuine guy with great energy and stage presence. He loves what he does and has an incredible, incredible vocal range.
Dashboard originally started in 1999 in Florida, The first two releases, ‘Swiss Army Romance’ and ‘The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most’, were solo projects of Chris’ after he left his other band ‘Further Seems Forever’. The other members(Scott Schoenbeck on bass, Armon Jay on lead guitar, Chris Kamrada on drums, and Kenny Bridges on guitar and keyboard) joined by 2002 and the band had already found great success after winning an MTV music award. They are solidified as a very beloved alternative band, with now 10 full studio albums. They have such a distinct sound that I love. Subtly emo, pop, alternative… It’s a comforting experience listening to their albums.
They opened their set with ‘The Best Deceptions’, and played a lot of their biggest hits, new and old. My favorite one was ‘Don’t Wait’! Their stage design had these cool spiraling stands on each side for the other bandmembers; lined with bright colored lights. It was one of the better lighting setups I’ve photographed at The Complex.
Towards the end of the show they brought Martin Johnson from Boys Like Girls back out to play ‘Watch the Fire’ with them! The crowd energy was off the walls during the entire show. So much love for all the artists in that room. I really enjoyed photographing this show, and to be honest, would love to see Dashboard Confessional again if they come back to Utah!