Live Review: Armor For Sleep w/ The Early November & The Spill Canvas at Hawthorne Theater Dec. 10th, 2023

It’s hard to believe some of the most beloved emo bands from the 2000s have been around for almost 2 decades. This show mark’s 20 years that Armor For Sleep put out their debut album Dream To Make Believe. The Early November also celebrated their album The Room’s Too Cold played in it’s entirety. Upon arrival to the Hawthorne Theater the show already sold out for a colder quiet Sunday evening. The room began to fill with devoted fans, patiently awaiting the first band to take to the stage. For a band of this level it feels nice to see Armor For Sleep playing smaller venues making for a more intimate experience.

The first band was The Spill Canvas, for an opener they are about as honest and real as it gets for an emo band. The lead singer poured his heart into these songs which could be heard sung back from the audience. The Spill Canvas first came onto the scene in the early 2000’s with hits like “All Over You”. “Lullaby”, & “Our Song”. Halfway through the set, the lead singer spoke to the audience about how he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and how it influenced the way he writes songs. He explained that it’s a sort of way of coping with the illness. He went onto to say “Thank You” and state that how music can be powerful and help save a life. And that everyone in the room is loved and no one should feel alone. Everyone was in good spirits and the band was well rehearsed.

A lot of this music came out during a time when I was a teenager just learning who I am and becoming my own person. The thing about this scene even now when I’m in my 30’s, it’s a safe place for me to express myself. Most of these albums are what helped us get to this point in life. You could definitely feel the love in the room; Everyone happy, singing their little hearts out to fond memories of the past.

The time finally came for The Early November to take the stage, playing The Room’s Too Cold in its entirety. Except there was a twist–instead of playing the album all the way through front to back, they chose to start at the last track “Everything’s Too Cold…. But Your So Hot” first. As the lead singer described it, this is the original way the album was attended to play through. This band was very interactive with the audience and had a lot of pep in their step. They brought a lot of energy, flinging guitars around their neck and dashing around the stage. There were a lot of dedicated fans singing the songs word for word like they were transformed back to their youth. Highlights from the setlist included “Ever So Sweet”, “The Mountain Range In My Livingroom”, & “Baby Blue”.

The last band to take to the stage was Armor For Sleep. I think Dream To Make Believe still holds up well after 20 years. This album saw a shift in emo music for the time, I think this album allowed for bands to explore deeper themes within their music. They speak about real issues, whether it be a break up, life and death, and ideas about where we go when we are dead. This album also would lead up to Armor For Sleep’s sophomore album What We Do When Were Dead with critical acclaim and be well received by fans.

They opened the show with the title track “Armor For Sleep”, halfway through the set the lead singer asked the audience if it was okay if they switched it up a little and played a couple songs from the second album which included “The Truth About Heaven” and “Awkward Last Words”. Diving back into the set they continued with “Raindrops”, “Kind Of Perfect”, and “Slip Like Space”. Saving the best songs for last, they went straight into “Stay on the Ground” and “Car Underwater”.

There was a warmth in the room that was undeniable, even though we all came from different walks of life we were all united and are still consumed by these songs. This show was a real treat and incredibly enjoyable.

Armor For Sleep have two dates on the calendar for 2024. They are setting sail for sea for Emo’s Not Dead Cruise in February, and in October they are playing When We Are Young Festival playing What To Do When You Are Dead in it’s entirety.

Be sure to follow Armor for Sleep on Instagram and Facebook.