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Have Mercy (w/ Super American, Gleemer, Kississippi) @ The Space Ballroom (Hamden, CT) on June 12, 2018 [Photos & Review]

Celebrating five years of The Earth Pushed Back, Hopeless Records’ Have Mercy hit The Space Ballroom in Hamden, CT along with supporting bands Super American, Gleemer, and Kississippi.

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Celebrating five successful years of the band’s studio album The Earth Pushed Back, Have Mercy have embarked on a North American tour with support from Super American, Gleemer, and Kississippi. The group’s popularity grew rapidly after the album’s release, with much praise from fans and media alike. Its cathartic and somber nature has made it a staple to any moody playlist, and Have Mercy fans have continued to spread like wildfire across the pop-punk and emo scenes ever since. In honor of the infamous recording’s anniversary, we got to see Have Mercy play it in full last week at The Space Ballroom in Hamden, CT.

This tour package overall was surprisingly spot-on. Each band/artist fit within similar genres, yet still had their own enticing sound and identity. Super American kicked off the night on a pretty upbeat note. The four-piece had a similar sound to cult favorites like The Front Bottoms or Modern Baseball, totally giving off a fun, summery vibe–and the kick drum reading “Tequila Sunrise” might’ve added to that feeling.

Following up was Gleemer, making it their second time at the Ballroom this year since their tour with Movements earlier this spring. The venue starting packing in during their set, with quite a few in the front row singing along to every song they played. Solo songstress Kississippi went on just before our highly anticipated headliner, swooning the crowd with her southern charm. She made a pleasant transition into Have Mercy’s set with her smooth, birdlike voice and intermittent stand-up comedy.

When Have Mercy took the stage, the room was finally filled with fans new and old getting ready to sing–and maybe cry–to one of the scene’s favorite albums. Hearing The Earth Pushed Back from start to finish felt so satisfying, seeing the band go back to their roots especially after their last tour supporting the newest studio album Make The Best Of It. Hearing deep cuts like “Weak At The Knees” and “The Gates” live for the first time in a while were just a couple highlights of the night, and judging by the crowd’s uproar, we weren’t the only ones ecstatic about it.

Stream on “Hell” of a song by Have Mercy here.


Despite the fact that they just released a new album last spring, Brian Swindle blessed us with another new, unreleased song that he performed solo, which felt as if it could’ve been a B-side to The Earth Pushed Back with its slow and melancholy aura. Of course, the show wouldn’t be complete without ending the night with “Two Years”. Crowdsurfers flung themselves to the front of the stage despite the lack of security or a barricade, and a loud choir of passionate fans screamed the lyrics back at Swindle to close out one of our favorite Have Mercy performances to date.

Trust us, do yourself a favor and catch this tour while you still can. There are plenty of dates left on this run, but we foresee them coming back around in the future–perhaps with even more new music to share.

Remaining Tour Dates:

06/19 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean
06/20 – Columbus, OH – Big Room Bar
06/21 – Indianapolis, IN – Hoosier Dome
06/22 – Springfield, MO – Outland Ballroom
06/23 – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th St. – OKC
06/24 – Dallas, TX – Prophet Bar
06/25 – Austin, TX – Sidewinder
06/27 – Nashville, TN – The High Watt
06/28 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Purgatory)
06/29 – Orlando, FL – Soundbar
06/30 – Margate, FL – O’Malleys
07/02 – Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
07/03 – Richmond, VA – The Camel

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