The 502s brought their blend of indie folk and feel-good energy to Empire Live in Albany on Wednesday, May 27, turning a weeknight into a celebration of music and positivity.
The evening showcased everything that has made The 502s one of the fastest-growing bands in the folk-pop scene: uplifting songs, relentless energy, and a genuine connection with their fans. This ultimately transformed the venue into a room full of smiling faces and dancing feet.
Before The 502s took the stage, the night began with Late Night Thoughts Music, an acoustic-pop duo of Brian Rauch and Michael Harlow. The pair, who met in college at Brandeis University, performed a heartfelt set featuring songs including “Days Like This”, “Passenger Princess”, and “Nobody.” Their sincerity and chemistry quickly won over the crowd.
As the duo wrapped up their second-to-last song “Something to Lose”, one of Michael’s guitar strings broke. Rather than handling this backstage, Brian turned this into an entertaining challenge for Michael. The duo asked a fan in the front row to start a timer to see how quickly Michael could replace the string while on stage. With his previous personal record at 41 seconds, Michael finished installing a new string in just 40 seconds, setting a new record and earning cheers from the crowd before the band closed their set with “Grow Up.”
Shortly after, The 502s rushed onto the stage and set the bar high with “Sayonara.” The energy inside the venue immediately surged as fans sang along and bounced to every beat. The band’s bright stage presence beautifully matched the joyful spirit of their music. Rather than a traditional concert, the night felt more of a giant gathering of friends, fostering a sense of community. Throughout the night, the band’s optimism and carefree spirit was infectious.
Crowd favorites such as “Friday Night” and “Magdalene” drew enthusiastic singalongs, while songs like “Skinny Dipping & Mimosas” and “When I Get to Heaven” had fans clapping and swaying along.
The crowd’s enthusiasm never faded. Even as the main set came to a close, fans loudly called the band back to the stage. The 502s quickly returned for “Just a Little While,” sending the audience home on a high note. When the concert ended, many fans lingered and got to meet the members of both Late Night Thoughts Music and The 502s near their merchandise booths.
For those who missed this show, the 502s will return to New York later this summer at The Rockaway Hotel in Queens on August 16.
Setlist: Sayonara, Like My Father, Summer Fling, Friday Night, Waves, Nothing Sweeter Than You, Skinny Dipping & Mimosas, Summer Wind, Magdalene, Your Nonsense Makes Sense, Hi There Hello, End of the World, Olivia, You Belong, When I Get to Heaven, Enjoy the Ride, If Good Times Were Dollars, Hey Honey, Stories to Tell, Feels Good to Be Me, Perfect Portrait of Young Love, Something’s Gonna Go Our Way
Encore: Just a Little While
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