Pop-punk band The Maine has proven its staying power in the global punk scene, releasing albums and singles consistently since 2007. The group formed as teens in Tempe, Ariz., and has spent the last 12 years together touring and releasing seven albums.
The Maine dropped its latest album, You Are OK, in March as a follow-up to its successful 2017 release, Lovely Little Lonely. Immediately after wrapping up the headlining tour to promote You Are OK, The Maine has hit the road once again to take part in Sad Summer, an emo and pop-punk music festival now touring throughout America.
Sad Summer will stop in Pittsburgh on Fri., July 19 at Stage AE, also featuring bands Mayday Parade, The Wonder Years, State Champs, and Just Friends.
The Maine drummer, Pat Kirch, says the group’s most recent album introduced new elements of music not seen in its previous albums, such as orchestral instruments and dance songs.
“We didn’t want to make an album that was boring,” says Kirch. “We wanted to make something that had a surprise at each turn, and I think that’s why all of the songs sound kind of different.”
Kirch and the rest of the band are excited to play the new songs but joke that with so many albums under its belt, creating a setlist can be tough.
“I think that’s an exciting thing,” Kirch says. “People that are fans of us have really latched onto everything that we’ve done, and they’re not just coming to the show to hear a particular song. They’re coming to listen to it all.”
Sad Summer marks The Maine’s first Pittsburgh stop since its 2017 Lovely Little Lonely tour, which Kirch says is one of the best parts of hitting the road once again.
“I’m looking forward to playing some songs from the new album for people who haven’t seen us yet,” Kirch says. “All the places we’re going to on this tour, we haven’t been since the new album has been out. I think that it’s an awesome lineup and that we’re gonna put on the best set since we’ve been a band. I think that we’re gonna take everything we’ve learned over the years and put it all into the show.”