Real Friends’ “Forever and Ever… Tour” in Philadelphia, PA

On November 21, 2024, Philadelphia, PA welcomed Midwest emo rock band, Real Friends at the Theater of Living Arts for their “Forever and Ever and Ever and Ever Tour.” 

Real Friends were joined by openers Can’t Swim, Carly Cosgrove, and Slow Joy. Starting off the show, Slow Joy brought a six-song setlist that shared a gloomy, somber vibe with the audience, including songs “Crawling,” and unreleased, “Wound.” Philadelphia-local, alternative band Carly Cosgrove then followed with their eight-song setlist that shared vulnerable themes of mental health struggles in a classical indie-rock way. Their most recent album, The Cleanest Houses Are Empty, was released in June 2024, with 3 songs, “Fluff My Pillow,” “What Are You, A Cop?” and, “You Old Dog,” being featured on the setlist. Can’t Swim continued the show with a ten-song setlist including newest single “Worst Ain’t Over Yet,” and hits, “Your Clothes,” and “Stranger.” 

Real Friends is a Chicago-based pop punk band that explores themes of mental health, heartbreak, loneliness, and coping with tough times. Their most recent album, Blue Hour, was released on October 11, 2024. Their 16-song setlist consisted of five songs from this album, opening with, “Our Love Was Like a Sad Song,” also featuring “Waiting Room,” and “Cold Blooded.”

Among the dancing, moshing, and crowd surfing, there were also many songs that left the audience emotionally in awe. The lead singer, Cody Muraro, joined the audience to perform a tear-jerking fan favorite, “I’ve Given Up On You,” allowing him to connect and engage with fans on a more personal level and emit a raw sense of passion for the music.

Opening bands, Can’t Swim, Carly Cosgrove, and Slow Joy all brought their own sounds that captivated the audience and prepared them for the main act. The live music Real Friends provides is emotional and passionate, and any pop punk lover would surely find a song that speaks to them. Although the “Forever and Ever and Ever and Ever Tour” has come to its conclusion, Real Friends will be performing at festivals 8123 in Mesa, AZ and Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, FL in 2025.

Check out the full photo gallery here.