The Format’s Boycott Heaven Tour is A Love Letter to Fans 20 Years in the Making

Nate Ruess of The Format (Photo: Hannah Claire Smith)

On January 23rd, 2026, The Format released Boycott Heaven, their first album in two decades and last Saturday at the Eastern, they delivered a performance 20 years in the making. Anticipation and electricity pulsed through the crowd from the moment their first opener, Adult Mom, took the stage, building steadily as Ben Kweller closed out his set. And still, nothing could have prepared the audience for the energy and excitement Nate Ruess and Sam Means brought from their very first note through three unforgettable encores.

The Format (Photo: Hannah Claire Smith)

The show felt like a love letter to the fans, right down to the carefully crafted setlist. Blending old hits with newer favorites, the distinction between the two blurred as the crowd sang every word with equal passion. The band seemed to draw strength from that energy, pausing at times to thank their Georgia audience for showing up and showing out. After 20 years, it was clear they needed those moments—not just to catch their breath, but to fully take in how deeply they are still loved by fans old and new alike.