2025 has been the year of 20-year anniversaries. Many of my favorite bands from my childhood are celebrating 20 years since the release of their breakthrough albums — albums that defined my adolescence and paved the way for my music tastes for years to come. Anberlin, a band I rank in my top five favorite bands of all time, is no exception to this. Their current tour celebrates 20 years since the release of Never Take Friendship Personal, the album that got me into them and was formative in developing my musical tastes.

The last time I saw Anberlin was 12 years ago pre-hiatus, with Stephen Christian on vocals. It was their “Tour de Vital” in October 2013 at the Hawthorne Theatre in Portland, Oregon. Christian pulled me on stage during their final song, “Feel Good Drag,” and to this day it remains one of my favorite concert memories. After the band broke-up a year later,— and I unfortunately missed their final tour date in Portland that year—I thought I might never get the chance to see them again. My hopes returned in 2018 when they reunited, but were then crushed with every tour or show announcement that lacked a Portland, or even a Pacific Northwest, date.

Finally, on March 17, 2025, they returned to Portland for the first time since their hiatus, playing at the same venue where I saw them 12 years ago: Hawthorne Theatre. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about seeing them with a new vocalist—Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire—who took over vocal duties since Christian went on hiatus in 2023. But knowing Christian had personally chosen Mullins to fill in, I wasn’t going to miss a chance to see one of my favorite bands again—especially after once thinking I never would.

The day of the show, my anxiety was at an all-time high. I had spent so long waiting and anticipating this show that I couldn’t believe it was finally here. The Hawthorne Theatre was the most packed I’ve ever seen — and I’ve been to quite a few sold-out shows at this particular venue. For some reason, the number of attendees that night felt higher than that of other sold out shows. I spotted two distinctions that may have contributed to this feeling: the lack of the usual barricade normally dividing the venue between all ages and 21+—since this was an entirely 21-plus show—and the barricade at the front being narrower than usual.

Spitalfield, a pop-punk band from Chicago opened the evening. Admittedly, I hadn’t heard of Spitalfield before, though based on the years they were prominent and the similar bands I listened to at the time, I probably should have been familiar with them. Despite that, their catchy tunes inspired me to look them up after the show, and I found myself binging their discography. One of the things I first noticed as they took the stage was the bassist’s T-shirt repping the local women’s soccer team, the Portland Thorns—something that vocalist Mark Rose later explained by mentioning bassist TJ Munich had lived in Portland for some time. Despite that connection, it was their first time back in Portland as a band in 19 years — their first time since reuniting in 2023. Rose also mentioned the band would have a new EP coming out in May and played an unreleased song tentatively called “Remembering,” about the bands that helped shape us growing up. It was a fitting song for the night to come, considering Spitalfield and both of the acts to follow had likely shaped many of us in the audience.

Indie rock band Copeland followed, also celebrating 20 years since a breakthrough album. They played their second album, In Motion, in its entirety. Despite their close connection to Anberlin—both bands hail from Florida and vocalist Aaron Marsh collaborated with Stephen Christian on his acoustic side project Anchor & Braille—I hadn’t really listened to Copeland growing up. I’m not sure why they slipped through the cracks, though the early 2000s were filled with so much good music—I’m sure there were many incredible bands I should have gotten into at the time, but didn’t. Based on the number of people in the crowd singing along to Marsh’s uplifting lyrics, I could tell Copeland’s In Motion had had a significant impact on many in the crowd. Though their music was significantly slower, Marsh’s positive messages complemented Anberlin’s lyricism well, making Copeland a fitting precursor of the evening.

Rhythm guitarist Christian McAlhaney of Anberlin entered the stage first, raising a fist as the crowd cheered. Lead guitarist Joseph Milligan, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young followed. As they strummed the first few familiar chords of “Never Take Friendship Personal,” my anxiety calmed.  Mullins joined them on stage, rejoicing with the same energy I remember from Christian. As he belted out the chorus, it was clear Mullins had earned his place as the new Anberlin vocalist.

After “Never Take Friendship Personal,” the band went straight into “Paperthin Hymn,” the first Anberlin song I ever heard. I was immediately transported back to that night I last saw them 12 years ago, and any concern I had that the performance wouldn’t be the same without Christian was quelled. Compared to the previous recordings I had heard of Mullins covering Christian’s vocals, it sounded like Mullins has truly grown into the role. While there will always be a place in my heart for Christian’s distinct voice, the voice I grew up with, I am very happy that one of my favorite bands is still touring and making music. I’m extremely thankful to Mullins for stepping into the role and allowing that to happen.

It was clear during the performance that Mullins was ecstatic to be there as well, something I think contributed to his energetic delivery. He had a huge smile on his face the entire time and spoke fondly of Anberlin and the opportunity. “If I wasn’t on this tour, I would have bought a ticket to this tour because the lineup is so great,” he told the audience.

And aside from the vocals being different, it was still the same Anberlin I know and love. McAlhaney, Milligan, and Rexroat brought their energy from years prior. It amazed me that after so many years later, they still have the same synergic vitality as before.

After playing Never Take Friendship Personal in its entirety, Anberlin finished out the evening with a four-song encore, including “The Resistance,” from New Surrender, the new Vega-era song with Mullins, “High Stakes,” “Impossible,” from Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place, and “Godspeed,” from Cities. After the euphoria of the 20th anniversary “Never Take Friendship Personal” show, you can bet I’m already looking forward to the next 20-year anniversary tour in 2027 honoring Cities, my favorite Anberlin album.

Here’s to hoping they include Portland on the next tour—*hint, hint* thankfully, Mullins promised he won’t make us wait another 11 years to play Portland again.