The Rocket Summer stopped in Nashville this weekend for the 20^th Anniversary of his “Hello, Good Friend” album. I’ve seen Bryce Avary a few times before, most recently back in 2016. He always puts on a great show, and I was looking forward to hearing some of the old tunes again.

One thing I’ve noticed about Avary through the years is that he has some hardcore fans. They go way back, many from the very beginning.  He affectionately refers to them as his Brat Pack, named after one of his hit songs. And the relationship with his fans shows. At one point Bryce called out two old school fans by name and asked if he could join them for a song out on the floor. Despite the barricades being only a few feet from the stage, he felt we were too far away and asked everyone to get as close as possible.

Bryce Avary played all 13 tracks from “Hello, Good Friend” including deep cuts that I hadn’t heard live before. I was happy to hear a few of my favorites “So Much Love”, “Around the Clock” and “Brat Pack” again. I’ve always considered his music therapeutic, on the Christian spectrum. And tonight was no exception. The closer you listen, the more spiritual feel the songs embody. Perhaps that is one of the reasons the fanbase is so close knit. They feel a kinship and like his music has helped them through tough times.

His older catalog from the first few Rocket Summer albums “Calendar Days” (2003), “Hello, Good Friend” (2005) and “Do You Feel” (2007) remain the most popular requests. He played fan favorites including “Break It Out” and “So Much Love”.Over the night he did play a few newer songs such as “M4U” off his more recent album “Shadowkasters” (2023).

Another thing about Avary, his shows are always high energy. It’s hard to capture photos because he does not stand still.  Twenty years later this hasn’t changed. “I wrote these songs when I was 21. I did a 20 year later reunion so I could take a breath” Bryce joked.

A more unique element to Rocket Summer shows is the special one-man band audio effects. Bryce is always messing around different pedals and looping. The lighting was cool as well, with rope lights added to the piano, a The Rocket Summer sign that changed colors, and other backdrop lights.

Fans couldn’t get enough and kept chanting for more. As usual, he came out and did an encore. Tonight, it was three songs, included “Cross My Heart”, “Do You Feel” and “So, In This Hour…”. He played for almost two hours, proving he’s still got it 20 years later.