LIVE REVIEW: Summer Just Got Better With The Driver Era’s U.S. Summer Tour

Review and Photos by Keegan Nelson

The Driver Era is back on the road with their summer tour. The duo, consisting of Ross and Rocky Lynch, is an alternative rock band that has had success with their debut album “X” and second album “Girlfriend.”  In early April, The Driver Era announced their Summer Tour which would start on August 1, 2022 and feature Almost Monday and Summer Salt as openers. The Summer Tour’s start came shortly after the release of the duo’s newest song “Malibu,” and the announcement of The Driver Era’s third album “Summer Mixtape,” which will release on September 16, 2022.

On August 14, 2022 The Driver Era performed a show at The Eastern in Atlanta, Georgia. The show started off strong with Almost Monday’s set. The indie pop trio consists of Dawson Daugherty on lead vocals, Cole Clisby on lead guitar, and Luke Fabry on bass. They hit the stage with amazing energy that had the crowd bursting with energy. The band played eight songs, and Dawson Daugherty performed each one with the confidence of an artist who has played thousands of shows. The trio ended their performance with an unreleased song titled “Cough Drops;” the upbeat song is catchy and was performed along with the audience as they chanted in between verses. The band left the stage with loud cheers and applause from the audience. The band put on a fun set that had the audience ready for Summer Salt and The Driver Era. If you haven’t already, you should definitely check out Almost Monday.

Click Here: Almost Monday Photo Gallery

Up next was Summer Salt, a trop-pop duo with Matthew Terry on lead vocals and guitar, and Eugene Chung on drums. Summer Salt brought a fresh sound that was different from the other two sets. They have a soft, indie vibe that is sure to put everyone in a calm and happy mood. The crowd swayed as the band performed “One Last Time.” People lightly danced to the duo’s song “Summer Salt.” They served as the perfect segue between Almost Monday and The Driver Era. At the end of their set, the band was met with the audience’s approval as they were hit by a mix of applause and loud cheering. 

Click Here: Summer Salt Photo Gallery

After two great openers,  it was finally time for the main event, The Driver Era. The duo, accompanied by their brother Riker Lynch, did not disappoint. As the lights dimmed you could feel the crowd’s anticipation, then the band took the stage and the crowd exploded with cheers and excitement. The Driver Era’s set started off with one of the band’s newest songs “Keep Moving Forward,” an electronic dance pop track that got both the band and audience moving. TDE played two more songs and then arrived at their new single “Malibu.” “Malibu” is a groovy yet laid back song that embodies summer, it is the perfect song for the tour. The band continued their set, playing all of their hits, including songs from both “X” and “Girlfriend,” as well as a few covers. Ross Lynch put on an amazing performance when he sang “On My Own” from Teen Beach Movie 2. The audience got to relive their childhood as the three Lynch brothers performed “Cali Girls,” a song which they released with their band R5 in 2015.

The night went on as the band put all of their energy into their incredible performance. Eventually, the band arrived at the song “Heaven Angel;” the energy and power that Ross Lynch used when singing this song had me in a trance. The song was one of, if not, my favorite performance of the night. The live performance of this song gave me a stronger appreciation for the song that I had previously lacked. This same feeling occurred for multiple songs they played, such as “When You Need A Man,” and “San Francisco.” Seeing The Driver Era live just made me love their music even more than I already had.

The Driver Era is one of my favorite concerts I have ever been to. Every member brought their all and put on an unforgettable show. If given the chance, I would buy tickets to see them again without a second thought. You can catch The Driver Era on their Summer Tour in a city near you here.