Sarah and the Sundays: Unforgettable Show at Antone’s Nightclub
Article and Photographs by Addison Lawrence
Photograph by Ones To Watch
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if two Austin legends came together to play an intimate show at one of Austin’s greatest venues, then this is your answer - unparalleled energy and a night you’ll never forget. On Friday, August 21st, Sarah and the Sundays and Montclair shared the stage at Antone’s Nightclub, performing to an unbelievably packed audience.
Originally formed as a high school project, Sarah and the Sundays has far exceeded all expectations, and continues to face relentless success. Composed of lead singer Liam Yorgensen, guitarist Brendan Whyburn, drummer Quinn Lane, keyboardist Miles Reynolds, and bassist Declan Chill, the five piece indie rock band is celebrated for their honest songwriting, electric performances, and bangers such as “Vices,” “Moving On,” and “The Cue.”
Montclair, made up of singer and guitarist Casen Hutton, singer and bassist Anna Connolly, guitarist Clayton Burkhard, and drummer Jackson Gillard, has come a long way from the Texas A&M campus, releasing their debut album “Heart is Alive!” in 2025 and putting out their most recent single, “Hey Victoria,” this past May. The band is on the lineup for this year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival and will be playing a set at Stubb’s following The Killers’ Brandon Flowers.
Opening for Sarah and the Sundays, Montclair certainly had big shoes to fill, and fill them they did. The four piece band packed the room with energy, taking the audience through feelings of love, joy, freedom, social troubles, and friendship. The band featured lively tunes such as “Heart is Alive!” and “Lucky Day,” while also pulling out some melancholic tracks such as "To Know is To Love” and “Deep End.”
At one point in the set, Hutton even switched over to the keys to perform a reprised cover of Mac Miller’s “Small Worlds.” Throughout the entire set the crowd was noticeably captivated by their energy, and in no time became the band’s newest fans. Montclair, with their contagious love for music, is truly one of those special bands that you just have to see live.
With the crowd more than warmed up for their set, Sarah and the Sundays hopped on stage, ready to provide an indelible performance. The band came out with a bang, performing “Vices” off their 2021 album, “The Living End.” From the beginning of their set to the very end, the band showcased their undeniable talent for music and performing.
At one point in the set, Yorgensen paused to announce that the band had been working on a new album. The band was met with cheers and screams as the audience took in the exciting news. The band also performed some unreleased tracks off the album, delivering a truly special performance.
Although they had clearly proved their ability to rock out, the band also slowed down for some of their more raw tracks, such as “Crystal Ball” and “Afterlife,” showcasing their wide discography and capacity of emotions. Audience members clearly resonated with the songs, with some kneeling down to take in the moment while others swayed back and forth in arms.
For the encore, the band played two of their most popular songs, “Moving on,” and “The Cue.” Although “Moving on” began with the snappy strum of an acoustic guitar and friendly, laid back vocals, the song eventually dove into a more rock-influenced number, and Yorgensen even jumped into the crowd to dance in the crowd’s energy. As Sarah and the Sundays performed their last song, Yorgensen and Whyburn absolutely killed their guitar dyad as the lights - and the audience - went crazy. Although there were five members on stage, by the end of the set they had morphed into one amazing sound.
For a band with a song called "Looking Dead at the Function,” the group was exceedingly entertaining for the entirety of the event, and the audience was sure to miss them and the spectacular night had. Sarah and the Sundays and Montclair put on a spectacular show, and are a perfect example of the true, irreplicable magic of the Austin music scene. With both artists facing big things to come, one can’t help but be excited to see what the future holds for these two.
