I Meant What I Said - Anyone Awake on Their First Headlining Tour
07.30.26 - Austin, TX
A DIY group of talented musicians from Rigby, Idaho brings their first headlining tour to Austin, TX. Formed in 2022, Anyone Awake brings along Daybed, Flags, and The Stone Popes for an eclectic night of music and community.
Photo by DeAnna Garza - @shotbydeanna
Starting the night off with The Stone Popes, another group from Idaho brought on throughout the I Meant What I Said Tour, expressed their gratitude and excitement for their first time performing in Austin, TX. Quickly getting the night’s energy right with their unique sound, a mix of post-hardcore and fifth-wave emo rock music. Playing new releases like “Gold and Silver” and encouraging the audience before them to dance and jump, even at one point handing off the mic to the audience before them, and giving them the chance to sing with the band. The Stone Popes' entire set allowed the crowd to grow and got a majority to headbang and form a connection with those around them.
Photo by DeAnna Garza - @shotbydeanna
Following The Stone Popes’, Flags, an Austin-based group, took the stage to share their punk sound with the audience before them. Taking inspiration from the punk groups of the late 80s and early 90s, the group of four easily pulled the attention of the crowd from the shift in talents. Lead singer and guitarist Cait McCoy traded between songs with fellow guitarist and vocalist Reid Haynie, allowing every song to bring a new vibe to the night.
While on stage, they sipped on beers and vapes, really highlighting the embodiment of "punk." In other words, "We're here to play our music and make you listen.” They also made sure to thank and acknowledge the bands coming on after them and did well to also hype up The Stone Popes that went on before.
Another set of Austin-based locals took the stage after Flags; indie-rock group Daybed brought in the local crowd, and the audience only showed excitement in the group’s return to the Austin scene.
Immediately into their first song, the headbanging began amongst the crowd. The band did well to lure them in with witty banter, new songs, and, of course, moshing. With the performance of their song “Twisted Tongue,” a new song they wanted to share, fans were excited to rejoin and share an evening with the local band that had been on a hiatus from the local scene. Through and through it seems that with their charismatic frontman, Smith, and the contrasting vocals of Ali and the high-energy drummer, Jo, it was hard to keep your eyes and ears off the band in front of you.
Quickly after Daybed, Anyone Awake, the headliners of the evening, eagerly jumped on stage to close out the night. The crowd grew from the first band to the set that was about to begin, and more people were piling in from the bar next door to listen to the energetic, fast-paced music that started loud and strong from the group; which was quickly reciprocated by the audience themselves.
Photo by DeAnna Garza - @shotbydeanna
Frontman Cassius Coleman was excited and eager to be playing Austin for the first time, as well as the rest of the band. He took the chance to “get the nerves out” and encouraged the audience to follow along with him as he inhaled deeply…then screamed. That gesture alone was enough to keep the crowd comfortable and moving for the rest of the night.
The young group of four did well in uniting the eclectic group before them; covering “Daisies” by Justin Bieber to get the quietest ones in the back loud, pinning the city of Austin against Dallas and getting a “they got data centers, fuck them” from the crowd which easily got others to clap and cheer in agreement. At one point the guitarist on stage, Rylan Sager, was carried around the venue on the shoulders of The Stone Popes frontman, Blake Johnson, bringing the crowd in even closer.
There was no dull moment throughout Anyone Awake’s set; the group of four consists of such talented young musicians that have been playing together since 2022. Now on their headlining, DIY self-run tour, their following and music career is only on the rise from here.
Closing the night, they took the time to greet everyone that stuck around till the end of the long night, thanking them for taking the chance on their show and listening to their music, and encouraging them to sign a “tour dinosaur” they took to every city for the memories.
The night consisted of four talented groups, each bringing their music to life with talented musicians, seeking a safe space to share it and make it. No better place than Austin, TX.
You can catch Anyone Awake and The Stone Popes on their next shows all across North America before the I Meant What I Said Tour comes to an end. Make sure to witness the latest indie-rock group on the rise before it’s too late for an intimate and personal setting.
