Circa Survive Adds Three Headlining Shows in Addition to Reunion Show at Louder Than Life

Published: Thursday, September 24, 2026

by Daniella Welker

After returning from an “indefinite hiatus” in 2022, Circa Survive headlined three additional shows this past weekend, in addition to their official reunion at the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky. Hundreds of fans sat in anticipation, waiting for tickets to go on sale, resulting in all three nights of their Philadelphia showdown selling out immediately.

 

Originally, Circa planned to play only one show in their hometown of Philly on September 15th; however, due to popular demand, two more nights were added. The three shows were held at The Fillmore in Northeast Philadelphia, attracting fans from all over the tri-state area and beyond. The band “officially” disbanded in 2022 due to lead vocalist Anthony Green suffering a severe relapse and entering treatment. Their seventh and final studio album, Two Dreams, was released on December 16, 2022, leaving fans in the dark about whether they would ever make a return.

 

I had the privilege of attending the third and final night that Circa Survive played at The Fillmore on Thursday, September 17th. I was pleasantly surprised to find so many original fans who came out to support Circa after so many years. The gratitude expressed by all of the band members, but specifically vocalized by Green, pulled the heartstrings of each and every fan in the audience. Circa definitely did not return to play around. While they performed the songs that every fan knew and loved, they also put on an insane visual show. The lights, intensity, and character performances from the band were through the roof, adding to the already hyped-up energy circulating throughout the venue. I felt that Green’s genuine expressions throughout his performance made the entire show an emotional rollercoaster, allowing each audience member to be 100% engaged with the music.

 

The band played a grand total of 18 songs, two of which were performed for the first time since 2018. The eighth song on the setlist, The Great Golden Baby, had last been performed on the Amulet tour in Brazil. Being one of their most famous songs off their most popular album, Juturna (2005), the audience went wild. They ended this classic with a freestyle outro. As a self-certified concert connoisseur, there is nothing that I personally love more than feeling so connected with complete strangers at a show over our excitement and gratitude for a band’s music and dedication, and this infamous song definitely added to that feeling.

 

Circa’s second-to-last song was 1:55 of Anthony Green strumming an acoustic guitar. This infamous song, better known as Meet Me in Montauk, made the jaws of over half the audience drop to the ground (and also start sobbing). This was also the song’s first performance since 2018 and is known for being a song that people typically express sappy, personal feelings about. I was gifted the tickets to this show by a very good friend of mine, who set a timer and raced to buy them as soon as they went on sale. Not to put them on blast, but the instant tears that poured out of their eyes confirmed that the 2-hour trek to Philadelphia was definitely worth it. This was the experience shared by the entire audience (at least as far as I could see).

 

The dedication that so many fans have to bands all around the world will never fail to move me personally, especially in the metal, rock, and emo scenes. There will always be something so special about being able to share a love for music, especially when you look around and see an extremely diverse crowd. Looking around and seeing OG scene queens and MySpace idols, with the addition of younger generations continuing to spread the love for the genre and scene, fuels a special feeling in me that not many other experiences do.

 

Circa Survive ended their show with House of Leaves, also off their 2005 release, Juturna. By the end, I felt that there was a mutual wondering about the band’s next release and whether they will continue to wreak havoc in many different venues across the globe. Only time will tell; however, I don't think there could ever be quite the impact that Circa’s reunion left on fans everywhere again.

 

For more information reach out to Daniella Welker ar daniella.welker@student.shu.edu 

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