The Knitting Factory in Spokane, Washington was sold out and rocking out to emo mainstays Hawthorne Heights. The band are out on the road celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the the album “If Only You Were Lonely”, playing the hit sophomore album in full. Fans were delighted to hear deep cuts through out the album, many that haven’t been played live in years.
Supporting Hawthorne Heights on the “If Only You Were Lonely World Tour” are British Horror/Goth Rock band Creeper and post hardcore band letlive. Creeper set provided a dark eerie sound, the guitars and synths filled the room as the Knitting Factory was adorned by a hazy red lighting. Singer Will Gould commanded the stage, with his belting powerful melodies through he fog filled stage.
letlive. took the stage next, shifting gears with a surge of chaotic post-hardcore energy. The set kicked off with the band hammering on an aluminum trash can, instantly igniting a massive circle pit across the dance floor. Vocalist Jason Butler leapt into the crowd, going shoulder to shoulder with fans before climbing the bar railing at the back of Knitting Factory.
He briefly disappeared, only to reemerge under a spotlight on the stage-right balcony. Determined to traverse the venue, Butler climbed over the railing and carefully edged his way toward the soundboard on the upper level, closing out the set while looking out over the crowd in a moment that felt equal parts dangerous and electrifying.
The crowd was amped up and ready to flash back to the year 2026 when the lights dimmed and Hawthorne Heights made their way across the stage. The crowd erupted to the opening riffs of This Is Who We Are singing along with every word, screaming along with every scream. I personally resonated more with If Only Your Were Lonely when it came out in 2006, It’s not often a sophomore effort comes out stronger than a bands debut.
Hawthorne Heights delivered an emotional and deeply touching anniversary performance of their album If Only You Were Lonely, bringing fans back to a formative era of raw, unfiltered feeling. The show felt less like a concert and more like a shared catharsis, with every lyric echoing the nostalgia and vulnerability that made the record so enduring.
Photos By Anthony Moore
After the completion of the album Hawthorne Heights played new song Cardinal (Now streaming) and setlist staples Niki-FM and Ohio is For Lovers to finish out the night. Fans looking forward to hearing “If Only You Were Lonely” performed can check the bands website for upcoming international dates this spring. Additionally Hawthorne Heights announced a second US leg of the “If Only You Were Lonely” will be hitting the road this fall.
