Formed in 2002 in the suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona, indie pop and rock duo The Format, made up of vocalist Nate Ruess and multi-instrumentalist Sam Means, are one of those rare bands who became significantly more popular after disbanding than they ever really were back in their initial, short-lived but extremely fruitful six year existence. Fusing elements of contemporary indie pop and indie rock with punk, alternative, folk, and retro pop, the duo’s initial EP, simply titled EP, and first single, aptly called “The First Single,” immediately scored the band- friends since childhood- some regional buzz, and landed them a major label record deal ahead of the following year’s debut album, Interventions + Lullabies. Tangentially associated with the popular pop punk scene of the time- though their sound never quite fit it- the pair would go on to perform hundreds of shows over the next few years and command a passionate underground following, though never quite broke into the mainstream, and ended up parting ways with their label after 2005 EP Snails, and independently releasing their sophomore album and now cult-classic, Dog Problems, in 2006.
Though critically acclaimed, the The Format’s second album still felt criminally under-appreciated at the time, and after further touring (the band’s last proper run took place in 2007), the duo opted to split in ’08, moving on to other projects. Means put out some solo work, has continued to produce, write, and record, and was part of an excellent indie folk band, Destry, around the start of the 2010s. But if there’s one Format member you’re most likely to be familiar with, it’s Ruess, who found unexpectedly massive fame, chart-topping hits, and Grammy wins with indie supergroup fun., which he fronted from 2008 until their split in 2015. Ruess put out a solo album as well a decade ago, but since then has been more behind the scenes as a songwriter and family man.
As the years have passed, Sam and Nate’s subsequent artistic endeavors have attracted new fans, and 2000s nostalgia has peaked, interest in The Format has only seemed to grow, leading, over the years, to occasional speculation that the pair might someday reunite. It almost happened in 2020, when, at the start of the year, the band made a surprise appearance at a re-release screening of their 2007 concert film Live At The Mayan, and subsequently announced shows in Chicago, New York, and Phoenix. Ultimately, after multiple pandemic-related postponements, the dates were devastatingly scrapped, and The Format went dark once more. We’d begun to give up hope when, last year, the band sprung back to life to announce a handful of fall shows, along with the surprise drop of a new single, and news that they’d release their first album in 20 years, Boycott Heaven, which arrived in January, and landed as a well-received, welcome and nostalgic return, and as a confident maturation.
In support of their comeback and their stellar new record, the band are currently in the midst of their first full North American tour in decades, which returns the pair to Nashville tonight, April 3 at The Ryman Auditorium with Ben Kweller and Adult Mom! This marks The Format’s first show in Music City in a full 20 years, and largest ever (they only played spots like Rocketown, Exit/In, and The End back in the day), and, given all of the interest they’ve drummed up in their absence, it’s sure to be one of the year’s most memorable performances. A handful of tickets still remain right here; don’t miss it!
The Format, Ben Kweller, and Adult Mom will perform tonight, April 3 at The Ryman Auditorium. The show is all ages, begins at 6:50 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.), and tickets are available for $50.07-86.45.
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