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Sell Out House of Blues Anaheim
May 13th, 2026 Review by Joey Clark
Pop punk outfit, Boys Like Girls brought The Soundtrack of Your Life Tour to the House of Blues Anaheim on May 1st and May 3rd, selling out both nights. This tour was meant to be a celebration of two records, the 20th anniversary of their self-titled, “Boys Like Girls,” and the 17th anniversary of “Love Drunk.”
Both records were slated to be performed in their entirety on each night of this tour. While those of us in the audience were well aware of this phenomenon, we weren’t prepared for the delivery.
Before Boys Like Girls took their rightful place onstage the, audience was regaled with pop-rock band, Arrows in Action. The trio came out ready to electrify the evening and weren’t looking to leave anything on the stage. Every moment they fought for audience – the fight was short lived.
After a couple of songs, lead singer, Victor Viramontes-Pattison whipped off his ball cap, revealed his mane of long hair, and showed every person in that crowd that he meant business. As the set proceeded, there was a noticeable change in the audience.
While it’s common for most to watch openers with dismay or indifference, people locked in and took the journey with Arrows in Action for their seven songs. Once they departed the stage it was clear they had gained new fans as a hefty explosion of applause erupted.
Next in the lineup was the indie pop artist from Salt Lake City, I Dont Know How but They Found Me (iDKHOW). Immediately they rose to the occasion, starting off their set with a rather hilarious statement piece – their song, “Nobody Likes the Opening Band.” Lead singer and the man behind this solo project, Dallon Weekes assured the audience that the tune was not a way of putting down opening acts, just more of a playful commentary on the state of the music scene as a whole.
Weekes’ efforts over the past decade to rise from the ashes of The Brobecks (now reunited) with this solo project truly have paid off. iDKHOW’s performance had all the elements that make a memorable stamp – a boisterous sound, an explosive energy, and an unmistakable ability to connect with the audience.
That final sentiment emanated from the crowd as the band departed the stage with their heads held high.
The stage change for Boys Like Girls occurred and the covers were pulled to reveal a stage lined with televisions, including a large stage set piece that contained the drum set of founding member, John Keefe. All went dark, and then the screens of the TVs lit up with pop culture clips through the years as the audio echoed throughout the House of Blues. It felt like receiving a surreal transmission from another planet.
The video feed across the screens cut to Boys Like Girls on the side of the stage, huddled together and illuminated by a singular light in the midst of a prayer. Once concluded they grabbed command of the stage and launched into a celebration of their second studio album, “Love Drunk.”
“Heart Heart Heartbreak” upped the ante in the room as the first chords rang out. Frontman Martin Johnson stalked the stage armed with only a tambourine. Johnson had a fair amount of restraint at first, but it was obvious he was purposely holding back and not show all of his tricks in one go.
It was clear the House of Blues’ sold-out crowd was comprised of diehard Boys Like Girls fans. From the opening song through the deep cuts of the band’s second album, “She’s Got a Boyfriend Now,” “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” and the closing track, “Go,” every word was sang in unison.
After a brief intermission following “Love Drunk,” the band transported us back 20 years with their self-titled debut. Boys Like Girls entered the stage once more, a renewed hunger and energy had cascaded over them.
“The Great Escape” blared out stronger than ever with everyone in the venue going absolutely mad! Johnson leading the insanity and no longer holding anything back with all members in tow.
The House of Blues crowd kept the momentum strong and in tandem with Boys Like Girls as they played the entirety of the debut record. It was incredible when the songs “Hero/Heroine” and “Dance Hall Drug” were performed – the ground felt like it was shaking for real.
To close out the night Boys Like Girls gave the crowd one more round of “The Great Escape.” This time it was different; it carried the weight of two decades in the making and served as a bittersweet cathartic moment for us all.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Highway One Photography
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SID 260515 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
