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Live Review: Motion City Soundtrack + Say Anything + Sincere Engineer @ The Tabernacle, Atlanta - January 27th, 2026

A packed house filled The Tabernacle on Monday night as Motion City Soundtrack and Say Anything brought their co-headlining tour through Atlanta, with Chicago’s Sincere Engineer opening the evening. The crowd leaned heavily nostalgic, but the energy never felt stuck in the past. This was a room full of people who grew up with these songs and still cared enough to sing every word back.

Sincere Engineer


Sincere Engineer opened the night and did exactly what they needed to do. Hailing from Chicago and fronted by Deanna Belos, the band warmed up the crowd as people continued to file in from a freezing Atlanta night. Their set was tight and energetic, giving early arrivals something to grab onto while the room filled up.


Guitarist in a red shirt plays under stage lights, wearing a black cap with text. Amplifier visible. Focused expression, dim backdrop.
Sincere Engineer photo by Chris Collett

The songs landed easily, with punchy hooks and an earnest delivery that fit the bill for an opening slot on this tour. By the time they wrapped up, the floor was noticeably more alive, and the crowd was fully ready for what was coming next.


Sincere Engineer Setlist

  1. Anemia

  2. Dragged

  3. California

  4. Fireplace

  5. Corndog

  6. Overbite

  7. Library

  8. Trust Me


Say Anything


Say Anything took the stage next, and the shift in energy was immediate. Led by Max Bemis, the Los Angeles band leaned into a set that balanced chaos, humor, and emotional weight. They opened with Spores before pulling the crowd in quickly with Shiksa (Girlfriend), which turned the floor into an instant sing-along.


Musicians performing energetically on stage with colorful lighting. One sings into a mic, the other plays bass. Audience and equipment in the background.
Say Anything photo by Chris Collett

The middle of the set dug deeper into the catalog. Chia-Like, I Shall Grow, So Good, and About Falling hit especially hard with longtime fans, while Woe and Eloise brought some of the most emotionally heavy moments of the night. Every Man Has a Molly and AUTO-HARMONIC ASS FIXATION added unpredictability and intensity, reminding everyone why

Say Anything shows have always felt a little unhinged in the best way.


By the time Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too and Belt rolled around, the crowd was fully engaged, shouting lyrics back at the band. They closed with Alive With the Glory of Love, a cathartic moment that felt communal rather than chaotic.


Say Anything Setlist

  1. Spores

  2. Shiksa (Girlfriend)

  3. Chia-Like, I Shall Grow

  4. So Good

  5. About Falling

  6. Woe

  7. Eloise

  8. Every Man Has a Molly

  9. AUTO-HARMONIC ASS FIXATION

  10. Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too

  11. Belt

  12. Alive With the Glory of Love


Motion City Soundtrack


Motion City Soundtrack closed the night with a career-spanning set that reminded everyone why the band still holds such a devoted following. Formed in Minneapolis, the band has always balanced bright melodies with deeply personal lyrics, and that combination translated perfectly live.


Musicians perform energetically on stage with colorful lights and smoke. One jumps mid-air, another plays guitar. Mood is lively and dynamic.
Motion City Soundtrack Photo by Chris Collett

Frontman Justin Courtney Pierre sounded strong throughout the set, joined by Joshua Cain on guitar, Jesse Johnson on bass, Matthew Taylor on keyboards and backing vocals, and Tony Thaxton on drums. The five-piece played tightly, with Taylor’s synth work continuing to be a defining part of Motion City’s sound.


One of the standout moments of the night came during Things Like This, when Pierre brought Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer back out to the stage to sing alongside him. The moment felt natural and celebratory, earning a loud response from the crowd and neatly tying the night together.


The band moved confidently through a lengthy set that balanced early material with fan favorites, never losing momentum as the room grew louder with each song.


Motion City Soundtrack Setlist

  1. Some Wear a Dark Heart

  2. Capital H

  3. She Is Afraid

  4. My Favorite Accident

  5. Her Words Destroyed My Planet

  6. A Lifeless Ordinary (Need a Little Help)

  7. You Know Who the Fuck We Are

  8. Make Out Kids

  9. Particle Physics

  10. Timelines

  11. This Is for Real

  12. Things Like This (with Sincere Engineer)

  13. Your Days Are Numbered

  14. L.G. FUAD

  15. Point of Extinction

  16. The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World

  17. Attractive Today

  18. Everything Is Alright

  19. The Future Freaks Me Out


Final Thoughts


This show worked because it felt genuine. Sincere Engineer warmed up the room, Say Anything delivered emotion and unpredictability, and Motion City Soundtrack closed the night with a confident, crowd-driven set that never leaned too hard on nostalgia.


Tour poster for Say Anything and Motion City Soundtrack, Winter 2026. Dates and venues listed in colorful text, includes Sincere Engineer.
Say Anything + Motion City Soundtrack Winter 2026 Tour

It was the kind of night where you could look around the room and see people reliving different eras of their lives at the same time. Those are the shows that stick.


All photos © Chris Collett / No Flash Needed


Motion City Soundtrack


Say Anything


Sincere Engineer


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