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Feb 23, 2026 By Candace McDuffie Photography by Christian Anderson Web Exclusive

As the world continues to revel in pop-punk nostalgia with festivals like Warped Tour and When We Were Young, genre stalwarts Motion City Soundtrack continue to proudly hold the torch. The group, which was founded in 1997, released their highly anticipated seventh studio album The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World last year. The project was their first one in a decade, and its lead single “She Is Afraid” stayed true to the group’s tried and true sonic eccentricities.

Motion City Soundtrack brought their ferocious live energy to Chicago’s Riviera Theatre on February 13. Frontman Justin Pierre led the audience on a trip down memory lane that stretched back to their 2003 debut album I Am The Movie, which featured hits such as “The Future Freaks Me Out” and “My Favorite Accident.”

The band didn’t conquer Chicago alone, though: Say Anything and local facet Sincere Engineer also performed, which made for quite an unforgettable experience.

Check out exclusive photos from the night below.

Setlist:

Some Wear a Dark Heart

Capital H

She Is Afraid

My Favorite Accident

Her Words Destroyed My Planet

A Lifeless Ordinary (Need a Little Help)

You Know Who The Fuck We Are

Make Out Kids

Particle Physics

Even If It Kills Me

This Is For Real

Things Like This

Your Days Are Numbered

L.G. FUAD

Point Of Extinction

The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World

Attractive Today

Everything Is Alright

The Future Freaks Me Out