Tegan and Sara 'Crybaby' tour at House of Blues Anaheim

Canadian sisters, Tegan and Sara, toured to Southern California as part of their ‘Crybaby’ tour, which is their first independent release in many years. They performed a show in San Diego and at the House of Blue in Anaheim, California. Their concert series is similar to the MTV series Unplugged where the artists share stories about their music process, history about aspiring musicians, life touring, and other fun facts. Tegan and Sara will continue their tour, performing dates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver.

During the concert, Tegan and Sara recounted funny experiences about performing live such as the time they performed to a lifeguard at a swimming pool. They mentioned they did not mind playing to one person as long as the person enjoyed their music. They also shared other concert experiences about performing venues that were empty and that they played a show where it felt as if it was a black hole since the audience was extremely silent and did not have a reaction. They mentioned how they both stood at the side of the stage, and they could hear their tour manager asking if they were going to back on. They realized after the show that the audience was extremely shy but supportive so much so that after the show the audience members purchased their merchandise. They let the Orange County audience know that Anaheim show was meaningful ot them because they enjoy performing to enthusiastic fans because it made them feel youthful and realize this is their purpose in life.

The duo stay connected with their adoring fans through various media outlets such as books, tv shows, they write a blog on their substack, and by having VIP meet and greets at their concerts where they discuss their songs and perform tracks on acoustic and electronic instruments. Tegan and Sara have a new television series, ‘High school’ which is a memoir on their school years. Fans in the audience mentioned how they enjoy searching on YouTube: ‘Tegan and Sara Funny’ and watch funny videos that sisters have recorded. Along with making and producing their own music, Tegan and Sara have collaborated on music with artists such as Chris Walla, Tiesto, and other artists. They also have produced tracks for films such as the Lego movie.

During the show, the artists shared stories from their personal lives. Tegan discussed her relationship with a partner who was ten years older than her who could drive and gifted her cigarettes. She proudly stated that she still does not have a driver license. She discussed that during the time of living with her then girlfriend that they were living in a very small apartment, and she wrote the track, ‘Jealous.’ She recorded the track on a cd and mailed it to her sister, Sara and she listened to the track and loved it. This track was utilized on the television show, Grey's Anatomy, and is one of their most streamed songs.

Sara discussed life touring and how it is difficult and tiring and not glamorous as people may believe. She shared a story of when they finished their concert in San Diego, she decided to go to In and Out because she was craving a burger and fries and her partner who was staying in an Airbnb taking care of their baby had asked her to bring water, and Sara was disappointed to find out when the In and Out didn’t have water after a later night of gigging.

Tegan discussed the story behind their track, ‘Dark Come Soon’, and at the time she was going through a phase of djing, smokng cigarettes, and being obsessed with her Blackberry Pearl. Sara mentioned that Tegan walked into an electric pole because she was not paying attention and texting her girlfriend non-stop because she was in love. Tegan mentioned that love makes you do crazy things and continued to share that she wrote this song when she moved in a house after breaking up with her then girlfriend.

Through sharing various stories about highlighted tracks on their discography, the audience felt bonded with their favorite group during their intimated concert performance. Tegan and Sara performed popular and original tracks from their early career. From sad songs to electro synth-pop tracks, the audience was enthralled and focused on the live music performance. Tegan and Sara closed the show with one final song, ‘Closer’ and asked the Southern California audience to dance along with them.

For more information and upcoming tour dates, visit teganandsara.com.

Setlist:

Stop Desire

I Can’t Grow Up

I Bet It Stung

Back in Your Head

Fucking Up What Matters

On Directing

Faded Like a Feeling

Smoking Weed Alone

Boyfriend

Living Room

The Con

Nineteen

Walking With a Ghost

Where Does the Good Go

Call It Off

Dark Come Soon

Yellow

Closer

Coverage by Veronica Potes // Instagram: @veropoteart

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