Anberlin Brings ‘Never Take Friendship Personal’ 20th Anniversary Tour to Atlanta, GA

Apr 17

Anberlin brought their Never Take Friendship Personal 20th Anniversary Tour to Atlanta on April 3rd, filling The Masquerade’s Heaven room with fans ready to relive a defining era of emo. With Matty Mullins (Memphis May Fire) stepping in as the new frontman, the band delivered a powerful set that honored their mid-2000s roots while bringing something new to the stage. Matty’s energy fit right in — fresh, heartfelt, and true to the spirit of the band.

THE DANGEROUS SUMMER

The night kicked off with The Dangerous Summer, led by frontman AJ Perdomo who poured himself into every word, while the band wasted no time grabbing the crowd’s attention. Their gritty, heartfelt set was the perfect way to set the tone with songs like “Where I Want to Be” and “The Permanent Rain.”

COPELAND

Copeland followed, performing In Motion in full to celebrate its 20th anniversary — and for me, it was everything. That album introduced me to Copeland, and I haven’t missed a show of theirs in two decades. Hearing it performed live from start to finish felt deeply personal. Aaron Marsh’s voice was gentle and haunting, especially on personal favorites like “Pin Your Wings,” “Love is a Fast Song” and “You Have My Attention.”

ANBERLIN

Anberlin opened their set with the album’s title track and ran straight through Never Take Friendship Personal with intensity and passion. The crowd was fully locked in, with huge singalongs during “Paperthin Hymn” and “A Day Late.” The lighting was moody and dramatic, matching the emotional weight of the night. Fans were shouting lyrics and losing themselves in the moment—it truly felt like 2005 all over again.

With the tour now wrapping up across the U.S., this night served as more than just a throwback. It was a reminder of what these songs meant — and still mean. For fans who grew up on these albums, it felt like reconnecting with a piece of yourself. This tour wasn’t just about revisiting old favorites — it was about celebrating the music and memories that helped shape who we are today.