The Maine I LOVE YOU BUT... I CHOSE THE MAINE presale codes

Formed in Tempe, Arizona, this pop-rock band mixes bright hooks with a steady, earnest voice.

From 8123 to a sleeker chapter

After years steering their 8123 world, the current self-titled The Maine era tightens the sound and pushes shiny guitars and synth lines forward. Expect a set that pulls across eras, likely stacking Black Butterflies & Deja Vu, Sticky, and newer cuts like Blame.

Songs that might anchor the night

Crowds skew all-ages, with patched denim and 8123 pins near the rail and quieter listeners posted deeper in the room. You will see phones down for the softer numbers and quick bursts of lights waving when a chorus lands. Early in their story they self-funded the Pioneer sessions after label pushback, then released the album on their own terms. They also built 8123 Fest in Phoenix, a recurring hometown weekend that doubles as a fan reunion. Please note: any setlist or production details here are inferred from recent cycles and could change without warning.

The scene around The Maine: warm, DIY, and present

You will spot a lot of 8123 gear, enamel pins, hand-lettered lyric signs, and a few custom jackets with stitched song titles from Lovely Little Lonely or You Are OK.

Denim, pins, and soft neon

The front rows tend to trade setlist guesses before the lights drop, then lock into loud harmonies when the chorus hits.

Shared rituals, steady manners

There is usually a clear '8123' chant before the encore and a friendly wave of voices during Another Night On Mars when the house goes bright. Photos happen, but most people still choose to be present, especially during the quieter cuts. Merch trends lean pastel tees, varsity-style jackets, and prints that nod to the desert and old tour posters. From the stage you may hear a short talk about kindness and consent, and the crowd treats it as normal culture, not a speech. After the show, fans trade stories about first gigs and favorite eras rather than bragging about how close they stood.

How The Maine build a song onstage

John O'Callaghan sings with a relaxed grit, and the band frames that tone with crisp, chiming guitars and a rhythm section that keeps things tight but not stiff.

Hooks first, then lift

Arrangements tend to start spare in the verses and open wide in the choruses, so each hook lands with a lift you can feel. Guitars split duties, one staying clean and rhythmic while the other adds a fuzz edge or a counter line, and those parts make the choruses feel wider.

Little tweaks that move the room

The drums favor a dry, punchy kick and snare, with quick hi-hat work that nudges the tempo without rushing. Live, they sometimes shave a verse down to voice and guitar, then slam the full band back in to reset the energy. A small but telling habit is the extended tag they add to Black Butterflies & Deja Vu or Another Night On Mars, letting the room sing a refrain while guitars loop a simple pattern. Keys and backing tracks fill out the new-wave sheen on Sticky, but the bass keeps a warm, melodic center so it still feels like a rock show. Lighting tends to be saturated golds and blues that match the mood shifts rather than pulling focus from the songs.

If you like The Maine, try these kindred acts

Fans of All Time Low often connect here because both acts chase punchy pop-rock with crowd-ready callouts.

Kindred hooks, similar hearts

Mayday Parade fits for listeners who like clean storytelling and big, midtempo singalongs. If you lean toward color-soaked alt-pop and tight, danceable grooves, Waterparks is a smart neighbor.

Why these bands cross paths

The Summer Set hits a similar sunny Arizona thread and brings the same upbeat, community-first room feel. Those four acts share bright melody, a direct stage style, and a fanbase that values kindness over chaos, which mirrors this show. If you like a hook that sticks without the snark, you will likely feel at home with any of them.