LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: Something in the Way Day One – Explosions in the Sky, Tigers Jaw + more (01.31.26)

At 1 PM this past Saturday at Roadrunner, the doors officially opened for Something in the Way, hosted by Run for Cover Records and The Bowery Presents. Run for Cover, an independent record label founded in Boston in 2004, boasts an impressive roster of current and former artists, including AFI, Fiddlehead, and Turnover. The lineup for the weekend was equally exciting, with the first day peaking with headliner Explosions in the Sky.

Roadrunner, the largest general-admission capacity venue in New England since opening in late 2022, was slightly reimagined as a two-stage operation for the weekend, alternating sets between the usual main stage and a smaller stage in the back of the main floor. This allowed them to complete an impressive 12-band bill each day, mostly with 5 minutes between sets for a quick line check, allowing concert-goers to move back and forth across the room.

The barricade filled up quickly after doors opened, and by 1:30, the main stage had a decently sized early crowd ready for the first band to perform – Her New Knife, from Philadelphia. During the first set of the weekend, lights were low, and energy was heavy, a great way to set the tone for the day, with intense riffs and brooding vocals. Gollylagging followed afterwards across the room, and the Boston locals were well-received by their die-hard fans grouped around the stage. One of the highlights of their set was the performance of “Bronco”, their newest single released just the day before.

Graham Hunt was next on the main stage, a Wisconsin-based songwriter with a full band. The set sounded poppy and at times almost had a twinkle to it- but still rough around the edges, fitting perfectly with the other acts of the day. Next up was Febuary from Las Vegas, an angsty, pent-up screamo band with heavy riffs, peppered with low-frequency vibrations that inspired the first stage dives of the day.

Teen Suicide was next at 3:50, with their dramatic, emotional alt-rock. Catchy yet heavy at the same time, the songs lead up to emotionally hard-hitting phrases and big endings, the lights shining off of the velvet dress worn by the key player, Kitty Ray.

The next set brought How Much Art, a relatively recently-formed New England-based group, featuring members of Fiddlehead, Gel, Qualms, and So Automatic. Their synth-pop brought an energy to the crowd, and with not much music released, the number of people yelling along to the lyrics was impressive.

Following How Much Art was Momma, originally from California but now based in Brooklyn, playing beautifully arranged songs about love and loss. Their sound was nostalgic yet modern, dreamy and yearning, one of the highlights of the day.

The following set was performed by GUV, a project by Ben Cook (of No Warning and Fucked Up), hailing from Toronto. Clad in fancy jackets and a fabled lost scarf, they had an ironic energy, not taking themselves too seriously, but still playing a tight set. Their songs were embellished with huge climaxes and big choruses, with fans dancing and pushing along to the music.

Another highlight of the day, widely adored emo icons, Tigers Jaw, from Scranton, PA was next up at 6:10 on the main stage. Lovingly playing hits such as Chemicals and June, they bounced in an almost choreographed manner, bringing a healthy dose of nostalgia but keeping things
current at the same time.

After that was punchy heavy hitters Angel Du$t, formed in Baltimore in 2013. A constant stream of stage divers were flowing off the stage as they played songs from their new album, “Cold 2 the Touch” (releasing February 13 via Run for Cover), as well as previous hits
like Toxic Boombox. Band members jumped around the stage, and vocalist Justice Tripp repeatedly surrendered the mic to excited fans eager to grab it to finish the sentences.

Keeping the energy up, after that came local legends The Hotelier, playing their signature nostalgic emo hits like “Your Deep Rest, that had many singing along, with tears falling to the floor across the room. With the way the attendees were hanging on every second of the set, you’d never know they hadn’t released new music for a decade.

Austin-based instrumental rock band Explosions in the Sky headlined the day, with crashing crescendos and crushingly intense post-rock. While the band does not have a vocalist, it’s impressive how their songs create a narrative, leaving it up to the listener’s interpretation. The room was hazy, and a bright orange light emitted from the back of the stage, washing the crowd in a warm glow as they witnessed this legendary act perform a career-spanning setlist, closing out the night with the incredible “The Only Moment We Were Alone”.

Overall, the day was an incredible selection of artists, with Run For Cover and The Bowery Presents booking a truly impressive bill- while many genres were represented, they all fit in such a way that created an almost overload of emotions. Roadrunner hosted well, with vendors upstairs, an efficient and productive merch team, and enough bartenders to keep everyone sufficiently hydrated. It was an incredibly fun day, leaving everyone in possession of a two-day pass excited to return.

Photos – Something in the Way at Roadrunner in Boston, MA on January 31st: