Words and Photos by Bri Skriloff
Playing to a sold-out crowd at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, Sleeping with Sirens made the most of the smaller-than-usual venue, delivering a night packed with energy, emotion, and plenty of fan interaction. With the room filled wall to wall, the intimate setting made the connection between the band and the crowd feel even more personal. From nonstop singalongs to crowd surfers making their way overhead, there was never a dull moment.
Kicking things off with “Kick Me,” the band worked through a setlist filled with fan favorites, including “Leave It All Behind,” “An Ending in Itself,” “Forever/Always,” “The Bomb Dot Com V2.0,” “A Trophy Father’s Trophy Son,” “Better Off Dead,” and “Go Go Go.” There was no shortage of energy in the room, with fans singing along and crowd surfers making their way overhead throughout the night.
One of the best moments came when frontman Kellin Quinn took a second to connect with the crowd, telling everyone to put their arm around someone they love and reminding them, “That’s why we’re here.” It was a simple but meaningful moment that really captured what live music is all about and made the night feel a little more personal.
In the middle of the set, the band switched things up with a few acoustic songs, giving everyone a chance to slow down and enjoy a different side of their music. Songs like “I’m Coming Home (Big Gulps)” and “Free Now” gave the crowd a chance to take in the moment before the energy picked back up.
During “Big Gulps” and “Free Now,” Kellin asked everyone to hold up their phone lights, lighting up the entire venue. It was one of those moments that made you stop and take everything in for a second. Of course, the energy didn’t stay low for long, as the crowd quickly got back to jumping, singing, and keeping the crowd surfers coming.
The band continued with “Bloody Knuckles,” “House of Matches,” “Crosses,” and “Do It Now Remember It Later,” keeping the momentum going as they approached the end of their main set.
But they weren’t quite done yet. Sleeping with Sirens returned to the stage for a two-song encore, closing out the night with “If I’m James Dean, You’re Audrey Hepburn” and “If You Can’t Hang.” Both songs gave fans one last chance to sing their hearts out and send the night off on a high note.
Between the mix of older favorites, acoustic moments, crowd interaction, and plenty of energy, Sleeping with Sirens gave fans a little bit of everything. It was the kind of show that reminds you why you keep coming back to live music: the songs you grew up with, the people singing them right alongside you, and the memories you walk away with long after the lights come back on.
