On Saturday, October 19, Quinn XCII (pronounced ninety-two) rocked the stage at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut. After discovering his music in the fall of 2022 during the rollout of his 2023 album entitled “The People’s Champ,” I knew I had to make it to a concert of his one day. This was the first time I had gone to a concert alone, and I wasn’t sure how it was going to be without a friend or two to share the experience with, but luckily, as soon as Quinn and his band took the stage, none of that mattered, and I was singing along with the whole crowd. 

The energy was high, and it was clear that Quinn wanted everyone to have a good time. He often paused between songs to talk to the audience, once mentioning how grateful he is that people still show up to his shows. “The All You Can Eat Tour” is tour number 9 for Quinn, and he said how he felt the need to put on an enjoyable show because his fans deserve it. I’m happy to report that he and his band delivered. The concert’s song choices, set, and uplifting vibe enhanced the experience and made it incredibly enjoyable. 

Quinn is the type of guy you’d crack a joke with at a random family barbeque on a summer afternoon. Twice, he struck up conversations with audience members who were dressed in fruit and condiment costumes, taking the time to learn their names and dedicate the next song to them. As a father of his young daughter, that dad energy snuck its way onto the stage and created a comforting and laid-back tone. 

Quinn XCII released his first EP, “Change of Scenery,” in 2015. Since then, he has released six albums and two EPs. Such a deep discography lends itself to any artist’s concert, but for this one in particular, every song was hit after hit. My only negative takeaway from the concert was that it felt too short, and even more of his hits could have been added to the setlist. That said, the songs he played represented six of his previously mentioned projects, which meant fans, new and old, were guaranteed to experience a song from their favorite album or EP. The 2017 album, “The Story of Us,” arguably Quinn’s most popular album, gave the audience songs like “Straightjacket,” “Worst,” “Flare Guns,” and “Fake Denim” to dance along to.

I want to take a second to commend Quinn and all of the people behind the scenes who worked to make this concert a reality. The set incorporated a diner-style layout with a counter, stool, booths, and a cooler of drinks. This setup reflects the name of the tour, “All You Can Eat,” as well as the theme of his EP released this year. For 2024, Quinn decided that instead of releasing one large project, he would periodically release three EPs entitled “Breakfast,” “Lunch,” and “Dinner.” Metaphorically “feeding” his fans. Along with the clever set design, the lighting was another aspect that stood out to me. Multiple lighting features all around the stage, and some in the signage and counter, created a unique look that other sets don’t normally have.  

The last song, “Look How Far We’ve Come,” featured a guitar solo to close out the night, capping off the experience with a nice touch. When the song ended, the band gathered together and took a bow. As they rose from their bow, Travis Scott’s “FE!N,” a song that has become widely popular in the last year, started playing, and the band spent a couple of minutes dancing on stage along with people in the audience. It was such an unexpected but honestly appropriate ending to a night that was all about having fun. Having the band dance with the audience for a little bit captured the energy of the concert perfectly and was a great way to end the night.