Anberlin & Copeland
LIVE GALLERY + REVIEW
03/13/25 @ The Observatory - BY DELANIE FREELAND
Last night, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing and attending a truly special show—Anberlin and Copeland at The Observatory Santa Ana. With both bands celebrating the 20th anniversary of their iconic albums—Copeland’s In Motion and Anberlin’s Never Take Friendship Personal—the night was packed with nostalgia, energy, and raw musical talent.
The atmosphere inside The Observatory was incredibly intimate and laid-back, setting the perfect tone for the night. Spitalfield opened the show to a smaller but growing crowd, their set a reminder of the early 2000s emo and alternative scene. As the night went on and Copeland took the stage, the venue filled up quickly, reaching full capacity by the time Anberlin performed.
The venue itself, tucked between industrial buildings, had a quiet, almost hidden-away feel—making it easy to find parking (a rare win for a Thursday night show). As people gathered inside, neon lights bathed the stage in color, and a sense of excitement built as fans moved closer to the front.
Copeland’s performance was nothing short of amazing. Aaron Marsh, the lead singer, effortlessly transitioned between guitar, piano, and vocals, and the band played In Motion front to back, just like listening to the album itself.
Aaron’s voice? Still flawless. The entire performance felt like stepping straight back into the MySpace era, reliving the emotional, immersive sound that made Copeland so beloved. My personal favorites from the album, "Love is a Fast Song" and "You Have My Attention," hit even harder in a live setting.
Between songs, Aaron reflected on his longstanding friendship with the members of Anberlin—a bond that started when they were just 15. He also took a moment to acknowledge the former lead singer of Anberlin, praising his courage for stepping away to focus on personal struggles—a raw, honest moment that resonated with the crowd.
If Copeland’s set was a wave of nostalgia and emotion, Anberlin’s was a full-throttle burst of energy. They came out loud and powerful, with a light setup that was dark yet vibrant, matching the intensity of their performance.
This tour marks Matty Mullins’ debut as Anberlin’s lead singer (he’s also the frontman of Memphis May Fire), and he absolutely stepped up to the challenge. With a huge smile on his face the entire time, he brought fresh enthusiasm to the stage while still honoring the band’s legacy. Considering the weight of filling such big shoes, his performance was nothing short of impressive.
Photographing live music is always one of my favorite things to do. There’s something electric about capturing the raw energy of a crowd, the passion of the artists, and the way music connects people in the moment. Shows like this remind me why I love what I do—freezing those fleeting moments into something tangible.
One thing’s for sure—I will never miss another Copeland show again. They brought their signature energy and kept it real, proving their music is just as powerful today as it was 20 years ago. And while some may have had doubts about Matty Mullins stepping in as Anberlin’s new vocalist, he absolutely delivered.
For longtime fans, this 20th anniversary tour was a beautiful mix of nostalgia and new beginnings—a night that felt like stepping back in time, but also celebrating the future of these bands.
Until the next show!