Anberlin’s In Motion / Never Take Friendship Personal tour hit Varsity Theater in Minneapolis this Tuesday, delivering a powerful and unforgettable night of nostalgic alt-rock energy. Their new touring lineup brought Matty Mullins on vocals, offering a renewed take on their sound while keeping their pulse-pounding, rock-forward instrumentation intact. Joined by The Dangerous Summer and Copeland, the show balanced anthemic hooks with emotional depth in an intimate yet high-energy setting.

The Dangerous Summer opened the night with their nostalgic pop-rock sound. Their style hasn’t changed much over the years, with Andrew Perdomo becoming more confident as a songwriter while keeping their signature identity intact. Their inclusion on the tour with Copeland and Anberlin was a geographic one (as Copeland’s singer would mention later), and Perdomo couldn’t wait to express how excited they were to be part of the lineup.

While they interacted with the crowd throughout, their focus remained on the music. The Dangerous Summer’s performance was tight, with strong vocals and dynamic instrumentals that carried well in the venue. They closed with “Gravity,” a highlight off their 2024 album of the same name—a perfect way to end a short but memorable set.

Copeland took the stage next, bringing a change of pace with their atmospheric and introspective sound. Their set was carefully crafted, leaning into the band’s signature blend of delicate melodies and layered instrumentation. Aaron Marsh bemoaned his aging body, joking that the anthems they’d be playing might have to be a bit subdued due to some nagging back issues. That kind of levity meshed well with their more reserved style, switching it up as they played the hits off of In Motion.

The contrast saw Marsh swapping between lead guitar and lead piano, but no matter the instrument, his intimate, delicate vocals arrested the audience, bringing them back to a simpler time of ripped jeans and shopping at Hot Topic. The crowd responded with quiet attentiveness, drawn into the emotional depth of each song. Though their energy was more subdued compared to The Dangerous Summer, Copeland’s performance was immersive, creating a reflective mood that contrasted well with the night’s lineup. It felt a lot like spending time with an old friend—one you were really happy to see again, as if no time had passed.

Anberlin closed the night out, and the setlist was exactly what you’d expect for the Never Take Friendship Personal 20-year celebration. Matty Mullins and company played the material all the way from the leading, eponymous song through “Dance, Dance, Christa Paffgen.” Watching these pros play this material that has meant so much to so many—including Copeland’s Aaron Marsh, who specifically mentioned it as an influence and talked about what a difference it made for them all being in Florida around the same time—with what appeared to be effortless grace really showcased what a powerful collective this band is.

Despite the absence of Stephen Christian, they sounded more or less exactly the same, but renewed and refreshed. Mullins brought a metal-tinged intensity that perfectly paired with Anberlin’s instrumentation, which has always leaned toward the heavier side of rock’s spectrum (at least for their rock hits).

After closing out Never Take Friendship Personal, they dipped into their discography for some great encores—including a sensational rendition of “Godspeed” off of Cities. It was an incredible show, and it was so great to see this band still kicking!