9.2.26 - St. Paul, MN

Two push-up contests, behind-the-scenes looks at how their music was made, wild dancing, Jack's hat, and a sample machine. These moments are how you know you're at an AJR show. AJR played the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand on Wednesday, September 2. They are currently performing at various summer festivals and state fairs.

Avery Cochrane opened the night in a stunning dress. Cochrane’s upbeat pop music played through the speakers as she danced around the stage. She played almost the entirety of her latest album, Male Validation and Other Drugs, which was the perfect introduction for those in the crowd who may not know her. Cochrane’s stage presence was so enchanting that it made watching her set incredibly enjoyable. She included additional songs such as "Existential Crisis At The Tennis Club” and an unreleased song titled "Toy Gun.” She closed out her set with “Shapeshifting on a Saturday Night.” If that song seemed familiar, it's because it was in the Amazon Prime TV series Off Campus. She also incorporated an element of the State Fair and brought up the two Gopher mascots of the State Fair, Fairborne and Fairchild, to dance around with and sing to. It ended her set perfectly and left the fans excited for what was to come.

Photos by Rebecca Ackerman - @rackermanphoto

Before diving into this show, I have been a massive AJR fan since 2016. Before their mega-hits and rise to becoming a household name, I was sitting in a small room for a radio show in Chicago, which soon became a small stage at Taste of Chicago and several other small venues. Their hard work and years of putting out records finally lead them to arenas. Despite this large growth in popularity, they’ve stayed true to themselves and never shied away from their inner dork or incredible passion for music. Whether it was Bottom Lounge in Chicago or their 2024 arena tour, AJR still put on a show with all the silly antics they desire. The night at the Grandstand was no different.

AJR is a band of three brothers: Adam Met, Ryan Met, and Jack Met. The trio had been busking together on the streets of New York City for several years prior to releasing any of their music officially. Over time, they began to tour slowly and build up a loyal fan base. Recently, Adam reduced his time touring with the band to focus on climate advocacy work.

Photos by Rebecca Ackerman - @rackermanphoto

Starting off with “Bummerland” and “Sober Up,” the energy was immediately dialed up to 100. The heavy bass of “Bummerland” vibrated my feet in the photo pit, and the fans slowly started to creep up to lean up against the barricade. Their excitement only amplified during “Sober Up” when they were prompted to scream, “How’s it go again?”

In between “Sober Up” and “Way Less Sad,” Jack and Ryan engaged in their first round of banter and general tomfoolery. Jack played an old embarrassing video of Ryan for everyone to see, and then they continued on their way with the show. This was just the first of many good-natured jokes between the siblings.

The visuals behind them were highly interactive, including old video footage from movies, paint splatter every time the pair hit their drums, and a massive 3D face at the beginning of the show. AJR’s screens have always been incredibly innovative. They were more than just graphics. They helped tell the tale of the show.

*Photo by Rebecca Ackerman - @rackermanphoto*

If the fans in the audience were tired from spending a hot summer day at the Minnesota State Fair, they didn’t show it. All 7,533 fans stood, sang, and danced in the aisles of the floor and up in the grandstands. The beat of “Bang” ricocheted through the rafters, and everywhere I turned, there were people screaming out the lyrics.

AJR treated the Grandstand attendees to a cover of “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne. Their cover was maybe one of the best I’ve heard (I say with only a little bit of bias). As Jack and Ryan entered into their second joking bit of the night, fans were given a small breather, but they were still standing as if their seats were nonexistent.

After a few more songs and crowd interactions (see aforementioned push-up contest), Jack and Ryan went into the back of the crowd and up in the grandstand seats to play “World’s Smallest Violin” and “Steve’s Going to London.” A staple to their live performances, AJR gave the back of the crowd a chance to see them a little closer for a few songs. I’ve noticed these b-stage moments becoming more common with each show I attend.

They closed out the night with an energetic three-song run of “Burn the House Down,” “100 Bad Days,” and “Weak.” The crowd gave it everything they had left in the tank. As I wandered around the venue, I saw nothing but friends dancing together, swinging one another around, and animatedly scream-singing. It was my true definition of a night well-spent.

The hardest part about growing with a band is understanding I may not hear “Infinity,” “The Green And The Town,” or “Woody Allen” from their debut album, Living Room, again, but one could simply never leave an AJR show with anything but a smile. AJR’s 85-minute set was packed with fan favorites and moments that were meant to last. As the fireworks went off and fans started leaving, I was reminded of the small band of brothers who spent years busking in New York City and how rewarding it has been to watch them grow.