The Anthem Tour rolled into Seaside Social House on March 21, bringing a night rooted in collaboration, community, and laid-back Jersey Shore energy. With a lineup that felt more like a group of friends than a traditional bill, the evening leaned into the kind of organic, feel-good atmosphere that defines this scene.
The tour itself featured a stacked lineup including Kevin Kinsella, Cas Haley, and Dan Kelly, along with support from John Landry and Ike Kanakanui, bringing together a mix of styles that reflected the collaborative spirit behind the run.
Kevin Kinsella, known for his work with John Brown’s Body and 10 Foot Ganja Plant, brought a seasoned, roots-driven presence to the stage. He eased the crowd into the night with songs like “Roots Mansion” and “Deeper in My Mind,” setting a grounded, soulful tone early on. Reflecting on the tour, Kinsella shared, “The Anthem Tour, it’s been a real family affair. Everyone is helping each other out, working together as a team. It’s been a real joy to get to know each one of the people, and everyone’s brought a diverse, different sound to the tour. It’s been a really good show, we’re having a really good time and getting along really well, so it’s been a blessing.”
Cas Haley, who rose to prominence as a finalist on America’s Got Talent, followed with his signature smooth vocals and soulful delivery. His set included highlights like “Kids Forever” and “Patience for the Process,” showcasing his new EP The Front Porch with a smooth, soulful vibe.
Dan Kelly took the stage alongside Travi Bongos, who stepped away from his usual role in Fortunate Youth to play guitar, adding a fresh dynamic to the performance. Together, they played a mix of Fortunate Youth songs and covers, including “Tennessee Whiskey,” which brought Cas Haley back on stage for a standout moment. Performances like this showed why the Anthem Tour is so special.
In true Jersey fashion, the night came with a surprise that almost felt expected. Kyle Ahern of Rebelution, who lives in the area, joined the stage for a couple of songs. Together, they played “Devil in the Backseat” and “Tell Me” off the latest Fortunate Youth album, giving the crowd a moment that felt both spontaneous and perfectly at home.
Earlier in the day, Kelly offered a different kind of VIP experience called Dining with Dan Kelly. Instead of the typical format, he cooked his own recipes for fans while he and Travi played a few stripped-down songs, creating an intimate setting that blurred the line between artist and audience. The experience tied into a larger creative vision, with Kelly also releasing a cookbook through his website and offering a digital tour pass that allowed fans to livestream shows throughout the run.
For Kelly, the Anthem Tour is about more than just the music. “This tour has been the anthem of a lifetime,” he said. “It’s dedicated to some friends that aren’t here with us anymore, like my dad and my old tour manager, Jacko, and making impossible things become reality. It’s an anthem for a lot of things… it’s been badass and it’s been all an experiment of things I wanted to do—like have a cookbook and then have the fans eat the food and livestream it for people at home. Anthem Tour is about doing crazy things and making new experiences. I hope you’re living out your anthem every day—stay awesome.”
The Anthem Tour might be wrapping up, but things aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Dan Kelly and Travi Bongos are heading back out next month with Fortunate Youth, bringing that same vibe to the next run of shows.
Written by Kelly Graham
Photos by @awesomeasfxck
