The Used & Sleeping With Sirens bring a downpour 'Toxic Positivity' to Harrisburg

September 12, 2023

Summer concert season is winding down but it isn't over yet and The Used helped remind central Pennsylvania that there is still sometime left on the calendar for some outdoor concert fun this year, even if that means risking it all during a thunderstorm.


The Used are currently on the road supporting their new album on the "Toxic Positivity" tour and have been joined by fellow scene mainstays Sleeping With Sirens for this 24 North American trek across the country. Both bands have been on the road extensively over the past year since their appearances at the first annual When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas last year that marked off a milestone in the revival of 'Warped Tour' era bands. The Used and Sleeping With Sirens are no strangers to the road and the variables it brings as both bands were forced to quickly adapt their performances for the massive show in Harrisburg as heavy rain was on the forecast for the XL Live stage.


As the sun began to set the clouds rolled in and Sleeping With Sirens took to the stage amidst a downpour as they warmed the crowd up with a powerful 9 song set that was filled with all bangers and no filler for their rapid fire set. The crowd sang along to nearly every song in their set and it was clear that not even a downpour (with some guest appearances from thunder & lightning) could bring down the vibes in Harrisburg.


This show marked the first of the genre that the venue had done outside and Sleeping With Sirens proved with their set that the massive, festival stage was up to the challenge of hosting shows of the sort. Like many bands within the scene Kellin Quinn and Sleeping With Sirens have really dialed in their live performances over the past few years and are without question putting on some of the best shows in their career right now. They may have only been on stage for 9 songs but it felt like a headline performance before the set was over, and the main event was still to come with The Used.


By the time The Used were set to hit the stage the temperature had dropped easily 10 degrees but the rain soaked crowd hadn't moved at all, the entirety of the crowd was dialed in and ready to give it their all on this cold September night for their favorite band. The Used stayed true to their word and truly brought a wave of "Toxic Positivity" to Harrisburg as their 14 song set gave fans enough of the hits that it kept the energy still at a fever pitch when the band brought out some of their new material. It's hard to believe or rationalize that The Used have been touring relentlessly since 2000 when the broke into the scene because from a technical standpoint they still remain as fresh and raw as a punk band as they did then.


Lead singer Bert McCracken has gone through many "eras" in his career but the last 10 years have watched him transform into the powerhouse frontman that he is today. Few singers can smile as big as he does in the middle of telling a massive crowd to go "f*ck themselves," lovingly of course as this is part of the band's well known stage performance. Rain or shine nothing can stop The Used at this point in their career as they've continue to push the boundaries year after year with no stop in sight for them.

The Used

with Sleeping With Sirens

"Toxic Positivity Tour"


XL Live Outdoor Stage - Harrisburg, PA

September 8, 2023

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

The All-American Rejects kick off a new era at Parx Casino in Bensalem

By Matt Christine • April 1, 2025
On March 29, The All-American Rejects brought a whirlwind of nostalgia, energy, and surprise to the Xcite Center at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. With the crowd already buzzing, the band made their entrance to the iconic "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky, setting the tone for a night that would blend theatrical flair with heartfelt musicianship. Tyson Ritter and crew wasted no time launching into “Dirty Little Secret,” immediately turning the venue into a singalong haven for fans of all ages. The evening’s setlist was a well-balanced mix of crowd favorites and deep cuts, keeping both longtime fans and newer listeners on their toes. From upbeat anthems like “Fallin’ Apart” and “Beekeeper’s Daughter” to early classics like “My Paper Heart,” the band showcased their full range. But one of the night’s most emotional moments came from an unexpected fan request: an acoustic, acapella performance of “Heartbeat Slowing Down.” Tyson delivered the first verse and chorus with just his voice and a dim spotlight—his first time performing the song live since 2013. The crowd, stunned into silence, erupted with cheers at the final note. Throughout the show, Tyson Ritter kept the mood light with his signature irreverent humor. He poked fun at the convention center-style room, joking, about what other events were hosted in the room including a furry convention before launching into a riff about Parx Casino’s not-so-subtle encouragement to gamble. “They want you to leave this show... and immediately hit the slots. Don’t let them down!” he quipped, drawing laughs from every corner of the venue. That excitement rolled perfectly into a performance of their brand-new single “Sandbox,” which blended the band’s classic melodic hooks with a fresh, heavier indie-pop edge that had fans filming the moment for social media. One particularly fun surprise came when Tyson improvised a short, comedic song inspired by fans in the front row called “Chrysanthemum.” The details of this moment will be left behind lock and key for anyone not at the concert but just know it was one of the most obscene moments of the set and was a perfect way for the band to launch into "Sweat" after the moment wrapped up. The band also took time to acknowledge their recent appearance at Jonas Con, where they teased their upcoming role as special guests on the Jonas Brothers’ 20th Anniversary Summer Tour. The crowd cheered at the announcement, and Tyson grinned, saying, “We’ve officially joined the Jonas extended universe.” As the show neared its finale, The All-American Rejects rolled out a trifecta of hits—“Swing, Swing,” “It Ends Tonight,” and “Move Along”—each met with raucous applause and heartfelt singalongs. The encore, naturally, closed with “Gives You Hell,” sending the audience out into the casino with their voices hoarse and spirits high. Fans could be heard raving as they exited, calling it “everything I could have hoped for” and praising both the band and the intimate, high-energy setting. In the end, The All-American Rejects proved that they’re far from just a nostalgia act. With clever banter, emotional surprises, a killer setlist, and a brand-new single to boot, their performance at Parx Casino was a reminder that great bands don’t just survive the decades—they evolve, engage, and keep giving fans reasons to fall in love all over again.

Bishop Briggs hits Union Transfer for the "Tell Me Therapist I'm Fine" Tour

By Matt Christine • March 30, 2025
Bishop Briggs brought an electrifying storm to Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on the second-to-last stop of her “Tell My Therapist I’m Fine” tour—and if the title wasn’t already dripping in irony, her explosive set made it perfectly clear. Kicking off with “My Serotonin,” she transformed the venue into a cathartic dance party-meets-emotional bootcamp. It felt less like a concert and more like cracking open someone’s diary set to a thunderous bassline. From the jump, Briggs’ stage presence was nothing short of kinetic. She didn’t just command the stage—she treated it like an Olympic track, sprinting, leaping, and tearing across every corner without missing a note. During “Dark Side,” her energy swelled with the song’s intensity, delivering a performance that was equal parts spiritual purge and high-voltage rock ritual. “Woman Is King” arrived like a crown drop. Her voice soared, the crowd erupted, and in that moment, the track became less of a song and more of a statement—powerful, fearless, and unapologetically loud. It was the kind of performance that made you want to run through a wall or at least buy a leather jacket. The new single generated one of the best reactions from the crowd all night long and Briggs flashed more than one of her signature smiles from on stage during the emotional performance of the new track. Briggs didn’t just play a show—she led an emotional endurance test across 20 songs, and Philadelphia was more than willing to sweat it out with her from start to finish in this historic venue. If this was her version of therapy, then the rest of us were gladly booked in as co-patients.

Spencer Sutherland brings the "DRAMA" to Philadelphia at the Foundry

By Matt Christine • March 24, 2025
Spencer Sutherland lit up The Foundry in Philadelphia on March 20 with a headlining set that blended pop, soul, and showmanship in all the right ways. From the moment he hit the stage, his charisma was undeniable—commanding the crowd with powerful vocals and effortless swagger. Fans sang every word back to him, creating a room-wide chorus that felt more like a celebration than a concert. With emotional ballads, high-energy bangers, and a few unexpected twists, Sutherland proved he's not just riding momentum—he’s building a movement.