On March 31st, Aly & AJ brought their Places to Run Tour to Providence on one of the first truly warm days of the season. Fans soaked in the spring night as they lined up outside The Strand Ballroom & Theatre, buzzing with excitement long before the doors opened. From longtime Disney Channel fans to newer listeners embracing the duo’s evolved sound, the packed venue was more than ready.
They opened with “Silver Deliverer,” immediately setting a dreamy, immersive tone. The crowd was captivated by their effortless harmonies and stage presence as they moved through more favorites from their catalog. The energy surged when they dipped into nostalgia with “Chemicals React” from Insomniatic. Stepping away from their instruments, the sisters stood at the edge of the stage, sharing the moment with the audience as fans sang every word back to them.
Midway through the set, the mood shifted with “Sirens,” a deeply emotional track written in response to a tragic 2022 mass shooting that occurred near their tour bus. As outspoken advocates against gun violence, Aly & AJ used the moment to connect on a more meaningful level, and the crowd listened in near silence.
They then brought things back up with songs from A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun, including “Pretty Places” and “Listen!!!,” blending their newer indie-pop sound with infectious energy. Of course, the fans were ready for more throwbacks. “Rush” and “Like Whoa” had the entire room lit up, phones in the air, voices loud, and pure nostalgia filling the space.
They closed the main set with “Places to Run,” leaving the crowd roaring for more. The encore was inevitable, and they returned to perform none other than “Potential Breakup Song”. The classic that found new life in 2020. It was the perfect ending, with the entire venue singing along at full volume, celebrating both where Aly & AJ started and how far they’ve come.
