Anberlin at Roy Wilkins Auditorium, St Paul (10/20/12)

photograph by ava Tour Dates 11/06 Charleston, SC - The Music Farm 11/07 Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre 11/09 Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall 11/10 Buffalo, NY - Infinity 11/11 Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock 11/14 Toledo, OH - The Omni 11/15 Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection 11/16 Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls 11/17 Albany, NY - Upstate Concert Hall 11/18 Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre 11/20 Knoxville, TN - Valarium 12/2 Jacksonville, FL - X102.9's The Big Ticket Read More Anberlin A few years ago, I had a fantastic time interviewing Stephen Christian of Anberlin. At that time (in 2008), we were making it a big deal that they landed on the cover of AP Magazine … Last night was Anberlin's last show with Smashing Pumpkins at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St Paul. From my balcony seat, Anberlin's set was lit incredibly dark, mostly in dark reds and blues. Photographing them was a nightmare because of poor lighting, and the fact that singer Stephen Christian was bouncing off the wall (faster moving objects are harder to capture on camera, especially in the dark!) Their very brief thirty minute set had about six or seven songs. Some of the songs I recall were "Paperthin Hymn", "Self-Starter", "Impossible", "Other Side", "Godspeed", and the closer, "Someone Anyone." That last song absolutely kick serious ass live. Their other new song, "Other Side" is drummer Nick Young's favorite song off of their new album, Vital. I heard the studio version and thought, that sounded fine… but it wasn't until I heard it live that it hit me how incredibly heartfelt the song is. Christian is pleading with his heart with his lyrics, "Love me, love me. Why don't you know me, know me? Hold me, hold me. And trust me, trust me." Anberlin is taking a brief break before they head back on tour in early November, in support of their sixth studio album, Vital out now via Universal Republic. Fans and critics are all raving about Vital, often putting this album on par with Cities (which most Anberlin fans will cite as their favorite Anberlin album.) vu + ava (photos) ♥ www.anberlin.com