In October of 2022, Blue October released their eleventh album “Spinning The Truth Around (Part I)”. Comprised of 12 tracks spanning 58 minutes, this album is the first of a three part release. Part II’s release is marked for October 13th of this year, and Part III, intended to be made up of remixed tracks from Part I and II, does not have a specified release date yet.
Ahead of the Part II istallment’s release, the alternative-rock band set out on a 31 date Spinning The Truth Around North American tour, kicking off late February of this year and ending at the beginning of April. The band then decided to launch a second tour, appropriately named Spinning The Truth Around (Part II), making 53 stops across the country from September 8th until December 16th.
I had the pleasure of attending and photographing Blue October’s headlining show on September 13th at College Street Music Hall in New Haven, Connecticut.
Before Blue October took the stage, Veers ignited the crowd with energy during their roughly 40 minute set. I had never heard Veers’ music prior to this performance, but I’ve had their debut album “Universe Reversal” on repeat since I left the venue. Their set was absolutely electric, it felt as though they were giving the energy and the performance of a headlining show. You could feel their passion and love for performing through every song they sang. In terms of lighting, sound quality, stage presence, and overall effort, I’d have to say this was one of the best opening performances I’ve ever seen.
As the clock struck 9, Blue October began their 21 song setlist with “The Kitchen Drawer”, starting off the set by creating a moody yet bold atmosphere with the heavily instrumental track. Followed by “This is What I Live for” and “Light You Up”, the liveliness of the crowd steadily increased; it is clear as day that the band thrives off of the attention and energy that the crowd gives them. Though the vibrancy of the crowd and the dramatic, almost theatrical, aura of the band were unmatched during the band’s biggest hits such as “Hate Me”, “I Hope You’re Happy”, “Home”, and “Oh My My”.
As a casual listener of the band, but a huge fan specifically of their Spinning The Truth Around (Part I) and Home albums, I can confidently say that having the chance to hear a variety of songs from almost all of their albums made me want to do a deep dive into the rest of their music. The setlist as a whole features 6 tracks from Spinning The Truth Around (Part I), 4 from This is What I Live For, 3 from Sway, 2 tracks from Foiled, Home, and Spinning The Truth Around (Part II), and just one track from Approaching Normal, History For Sale, and I Hope You’re Happy.
Throughout the entire set, the band sounded just as flawless, vocally and instrumentally, as they do on their recorded tracks, a feat that not all artists can accomplish when performing live.
If there is one thing I appreciate about live shows, it’s getting to see the artists interacting with their fans. About half way through the set, frontman Justin Furstenfeld paused and began looking through the crowd trying to spot someone. He announced that there was an individual that, during the soundcheck experience, had asked him to perform a certain song later on that night. As soon as he found the fan he was looking for, he recounted this interaction, and proceeded to acoustically perform the chorus of the requested song, dedicating it to that fan. Speaking from the perspective of a fan, having interactions with an artist that you adore is the best part about going to concerts.
As always, it was a bittersweet feeling leaving the venue at the end of the night. I, along with the rest of the fans in the venue, was on my feet during the entire performance, soaking in every minute of the band’s animated performance.
Whether you are a long-time fan, new fan, just a casual listener, or are simply a fan of the alternative-rock genre and have yet to listen to Blue October, I highly encourage you to attend one of their shows if you can!
In the meantime, make sure to be on the lookout for their new single “All I See Is You”, releasing on September 22nd. For those interested in the second part of the Spinning The Truth Around album series, you can Pre-Save and Preorder the Upcoming Album Spinning The Truth Around (Part II) Here.
Spinning The Truth Around (Part II) 2023 Tour Dates
September
8 — Knoxville, TN — The Mill & Mine
9 — Alton, VA — Blue Ridge Rock Fest
10 — Cincinnati, OH — Taft Theatre
13 — New Haven, CT — College Street Music Hall
14 — Burlington, VT — The Flynn
15 — Wilkes Barre, PA — F.M Kirby Center
16 — Red Bank, NJ — Count Basie Theater
17 — Warren, OH — Packard Music Hall
20 — Columbus, OH — Kemba Live
21 — Clarksburg, WV — Robinson Grand
22 — Albany, NY — Hart Theatre in The Egg
23 — Hampton Beach, NH — Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
24 — Wilmington, DE — The Queen
27 — Charleston, WV — The Charleston Theater
28 — Wilmington, NC — Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
29 — Myrtle Beach, SC — House of Blues
30 — Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore
October
1 — Atlanta, GA — The Tabernacle
4 — Jacksonville, FL — Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
5 — Tampa, FL — The Hard Rock
6 — Orlando, FL — Dr. Phillips Ctr for Performing Arts
7 — F. Lauderdale, FL — The Parker
12 — Huntsville, AL — Mars Music Hall
13 — New Orleans, LA — The Fillmore
14 — Corpus Christie, TX — Selena Auditorium
15 — Beaumont, TX — Jefferson Theatre
November
2 — Hidalgo, TX — Payne Arena
4 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel
8 — Anaheim, CA — House Of Blues
9 — Anaheim, CA — House Of Blues
10 — El Cajon, CA — The Magnolia
11 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren
12 — Las Vegas, NV — Brooklyn Bowl
17 — Portland, OR — Roseland Theater
18 — Tacoma, WA — Temple Theater
19 — Spokane, WA — Knitting Factory
21 — Boise, ID — Knitting Factory
24 — Salt Lake City, UT — Union Event Center
25 — Denver, CO — Paramount Theater
29 — Waukee, IA — Vibrant Music Hall
30 — Gary, IN — Hard Rock Live
December
1 — Omaha, NE — The Astro
2 — St. Louis, MO — Stifel Theater
3 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave
6 — Colorado Springs, CO — Pikes Peak Center
8 — El Paso, TX — Abraham Chavez Theater
9 — San Antonio, TX — Tech Port
12 — Midland, TX — Wagner Noel Pac
13 — Lubbock, TX — The Buddy Holly Hall
14 — Wichita, KS — Orpheum Theater
15 — Oklahoma City, OK — The Criterion
16 — Austin, TX — Bass Concert Hall
Keep up with Blue October!
