The All-American Rejects’ recent backyard show near the University of Missouri ended on a high note—despite an unexpected police shutdown.
On May 18, the alt-rock band was in the middle of their House Party Tour set in Columbia, Mo., when local police arrived and forced them to stop playing. Frontman Tyson Ritter, 41, paused the band’s performance of “Move Along” to break the news: “Alright guys. Whoa, whoa, whoa. We’ve gotta stop it. The cops just shut us down.”
The crowd booed in protest, but spirits were lifted moments later when Ritter reappeared with a surprising update: “They said we can play one more f------ song!” He thanked the local police for their unexpected kindness, joking, “Holy s---. How often do you get a blessing from an officer?”
With cheers from the crowd, the Rejects launched into their 2008 hit “Gives You Hell” to close out the night. “Get home safely because the man let us keep playing,” Ritter told fans as they wrapped up.
Columbia Police Department’s assistant chief of police, Mark Fitzgerald, told CNN that the band and crowd were “very cooperative” despite breaking several local ordinances. The responding officers even listened to a few songs before explaining the rules and granting the band permission to play a final track.
Fitzgerald, who revealed the sergeant on scene was a longtime fan of the Rejects, added that the police department would welcome the band back—next time with proper permits. The House Party Tour, which kicked off at USC in April and included stops at college campuses and even a farm in Iowa, is already proving to be one unforgettable party.
Source: People Magazine
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