Underoath celebrate 20 years of They’re Only Chasing Safety

Oct 19

20 years after releasing their classic post-hardcore album They’re Only Chasing Safety, Underoath have embarked on a massive US tour of over 50 shows, performing the entire album for fans across the country. The influential band brought UK emo/post-hardcore act Static Dress with them, who kicked off the show with a chaotic set that was a perfect warmup for the crowd, with vocalist Olli Appleyard’s energy resembling Underoath frontman Spencer Chamberlain’s performances.

Underoath began their set with a stripped-down rendition of the album’s final track, the stage lit only by a single lamp as vocalist/drummer Aaron Gillespie sang from a couch at the back of the stage. This turned out to be the perfect choice to build anticipation for the explosive full-band opener of the set, “Young and Aspiring.” The whole band’s energy was unmatched throughout their entire performance, constantly moving across the stage and engaging the audience (with Chamberlain at one point jumping over the barricade and singing from the crowd). Following the album playthrough set, Underoath performed their latest single “Teeth,” before continuing into a fan-voted setlist featuring classics from Define the Great Line, a b-side from They’re Only Chasing Safety, and fan favorite “When the Sun Sleeps” from the band’s early years.

Underoath’s They’re Only Chasing Safety Tour continues through mid-December, ending with three final shows in St. Petersburg, Florida; tickets can be found here.