NEVER TAKE FRIENDSHIP PERSONAL TOUR

Venue: The Pyrle

City: Greensboro, North Carolina

Tour: Never Take Friendship Personal Tour

Date: May 29, 2026

Featuring: Anberlin, Emery, Watashi Wa

Genres: Alternative Rock, Emo, Post-Hardcore, Indie Rock, Christian Rock

Photos by: Arielle Johnson

Anberlin brought their Never Take Friendship Personal 20th Anniversary Tour to The Pyrle in downtown Greensboro, NC, joined by Emery and Watashi Wa, for more than a celebration of a landmark 2005 alternative rock record—it became a living reminder of how deeply this era of music continues to shape its audience two decades later.

What makes this current chapter of the tour particularly significant is its longevity. Rather than a brief commemorative run, Anberlin has spent an extended period actively celebrating Never Take Friendship Personal on the road, giving fans across the country repeated opportunities to reconnect with one of the most defining albums of mid-2000s alternative and emo-leaning rock. Each stop has reinforced the same reality: this record hasn’t faded—it has matured alongside its listeners. For many in attendance, this music is inseparable from growing up.

And for those who first discovered Anberlin as teenage alternative music fans during the height of the genre’s cultural reach, hearing these songs performed live again carries a weight that extends far beyond nostalgia. It’s a reflection of where life has gone since those first listens—and how consistently these songs have remained present through it all.

A key element of this current era is Matty Mullins, who has stepped into the role of Anberlin’s full-time live lead vocalist. As a longtime fan, Matty has been very deliberate and intentional with celebrating the style and sound Anberlin has been known for. Best recognized for his work with Memphis May Fire, Mullins brings a modern intensity to the catalog while respecting the emotional architecture of the original recordings. His presence marks a new chapter for the band’s live identity, bridging legacy and evolution without diminishing the impact of the material itself.

From the moment the set began, The Pyrle felt like the perfect environment for this kind of show. As one of Greensboro’s newer intimate live music venues, The Pyrle offers a striking balance of modern design and close-quarters energy that elevates performances rather than overwhelming them. Its downtown location adds to the atmosphere, placing the show within walking distance of the city’s growing nightlife and creative district. The result is a space that feels intentionally built for exactly this type of emotionally charged, community-driven concert experience.

Watashi Wa opened the evening with a set that underscored their cult status within the early-2000s alternative scene, setting a reflective but energized tone that resonated strongly with longtime fans of the genre. Emery delivered a set that reminded the Greensboro crowd why they remain one of the most respected bands in post-hardcore and alternative rock. Their combination of technical precision and emotional catharsis translated powerfully in a room where every breakdown felt immediate and unavoidable.

What stood out most was not just the strength of the music, but the shared understanding in the room: these songs have outlasted eras, trends, and industry cycles because they were built on something more enduring than momentary relevance. For those who first discovered Anberlin as teenagers navigating the peak years of alternative rock culture, seeing them in 2026 at The Pyrle in Greensboro felt like a reminder that some music doesn’t just survive the passage of time—it grows deeper because of it. And in that sense, the Never Take Friendship Personal Tour is not simply commemorating a moment in time but a reputation that spans decades.