On Friday the 13th of September, “The Frights” took the mainstage at Soma in San Diego for the final show of their tour. This night was extra special because their first-ever live performance happened to take place at Soma’s sidestage, making this sold-out show full of nostalgia and emotion.
Supporting acts “Ricky” and “Surely Tempo” set the tone for an unforgettable evening, but it was clear from the start that this night belonged to The Frights. As soon as the band stepped on stage, the room came alive. Fans had been waiting in anticipation for this show, and the atmosphere was electric. The lead singer, Mikey Carnevale announced the surprising news that this would be the band’s last show for a while. The crowd’s immediate response was a chorus of boos, but the disappointment quickly turned to excitement when Carnevale revealed they would be using the break to write a new record. The room erupted in cheers and they played a never before heard song.
Tour-ending shows are often the most intense performances. The band has given their all across every city, and the final night is the last chance to leave everything on the stage. The Frights were no exception to this. The final push of energy from the band met with the crowd’s eagerness for this show, which made for an unexplainable synergy between the band and the audience. Fans’ excitement was amplified because this was a “requests only” show. Fans who had bought tickets were able to submit song requests, and the setlist was crafted entirely from those selections.
A signature of their shows is when they invite audience members on stage to play along with them, and this night was no different. They brought up a group of kids from the crowd, formed a full band, and performed “Submarines,” a song off their 2014 self-titled album. To make it even better, they were accompanied by Carnevale himself, making the moment even more special.
A highlight of the evening was the introduction of the band. Lead singer, Mikey Carnevale introduced Jordan Clark on guitar, Richard Dotson on bass, and last but most certainly not least, “Mark Finn on the mother f***ing drums”. One thing about The Frights and their fans is that they show considerable enthusiasm for Mark Finn, so much so the fans chanted a small song about him.
One of the most unforgettable moments of the night came during the encore. To everyone’s surprise, The Frights played “Valentine’s Sux,” a single from 2018 that they rarely, if ever, play live. The crowd screamed the lyrics back as Carnevale jokingly reminisced about writing the song, and the band closed out the night with their song “Beach Porn”, a song off their first ep in 2013.
The Frights’ final show of the tour was the perfect blend of nostalgia, energy, and excitement, leaving fans eagerly awaiting what comes next. As they head into the studio to work on their new record, there’s no doubt that The Frights will return with something even greater. Until then, we’ll hold onto the memories of this unforgettable night.