From The Road: The All-American Rejects
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
FOR THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, THE STAGE IS MORE THAN A PERFORMANCE SPACE - it’s a homecoming, no matter where they are. Last November, the band brought their energy to the electrifying Neon City Fest, set against the sensory overload of Las Vegas. The band’s guitarist, Mike Kennerty, shared his reflections on the unique vibe of the festival, which he describes as "manic" in the best way possible.
To capture the essence of their time at Neon City Fest, we teamed up with Lomography and sent the band a LomoApparat camera. Known for its ability to infuse photos with retro charm and dynamic effects, the camera became the perfect companion for documenting a festival filled with ziplining fans, wild energy, and unforgettable performances.
In this installment of our From the Road series, Mike Kennerty dives into the highs of touring in 2023, from the thrill of connecting with longtime fans to evolving their live show for modern audiences. He also shares his thoughts on staying inspired, his love of record shops, and his refreshingly down-to-earth goals for 2025 (which include pizza, tacos, and waiting for the new Nintendo Switch).
Read on to get an insider’s view of Neon City Fest and life on the road with The All-American Rejects.
LUNA: What was the overall vibe of Neon City Fest? Did anything particularly stand out to you about the experience?
KENNERTY: The vibe was great! That locale just adds a natural manicness to shows, thanks to the sensory overload all around. What stood out the most though was the temperature. We'd played that same stage in the height of summer and it was still 110 degrees at 10pm when we went on. It was like living inside a hair dryer. This time it was much more temperate and safe for human existence.
LUNA: How did the Lomography camera capture the spirit of Neon City Fest?
KENNERTY: I think the effects that can be added definitely help you feel the manicness in a way a normal still has trouble capturing.
LUNA: What are your favorite things about playing festivals like Neon City Fest?
KENNERTY: The wild setting. There's definitely nowhere else we've played where people are ziplining over the show the whole time.
LUNA: What are some of the highlights of touring this year?
KENNERTY: The highlight has been the shows themselves. We've been doing this a long time and to often be drawing better now than we ever have is crazy. We definitely don't take it for granted.
LUNA: How has your live show evolved over the years? Are there any new elements you've incorporated recently?
KENNERTY: Well, when we do full-on tours now we have to step up the production in a way to meet modern expectations. That's a whole endeavour! But as a band, I think we're just experienced at this point, so we're tighter and know how to plan a show that ebbs and flows and keeps people engaged. That's a skill that takes some time to hone.
LUNA: What's the most rewarding part of connecting with fans on tour?
KENNERTY: The fact that they're still there after all these years is really rewarding. We're very practical people and have always kept that "this could end tomorrow" mentality. So with each tomorrow where it doesn't end we're super stoked!
LUNA: What are some of the biggest challenges you face while on tour?
KENNERTY: Finding a record shop within walking distance of the venue. It's a long day when I don't have that kind of journey to fill it.
LUNA: How do you stay inspired and energized while on the road?
KENNERTY: It's honestly easy when the shows are great, which they have been. A good show makes the grind of the rest of the day pretty easy to deal with
LUNA: What intentions do you have for 2025?
KENNERTY: Play more shows, make some new tunes, buy records, drink Dr. Pepper, eat pizza and tacos, wait for the new Switch to come out. I'm a fucking 12 year old.
