The Format Rise Again in Glorious Reunion at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Under a velvet Los Angeles sky, surrounded by flickering candles and headstones, The Format made their long-awaited return to the stage, and to the hearts of fans who have been waiting nearly two decades for this very moment. Their reunion show at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery felt less like a concert and more like a celebration of survival, nostalgia, and timeless pop rock brilliance. After a postponement that stretched all the way back to 2020, the sold-out crowd of elder millennials sang every word like they’d been holding them in their lungs for years.
From the moment Nate Ruess took the stage, it was clear why The Format has always stood apart. His voice — still soaring, still utterly unmistakable — carried across the night air with the same passionate precision that made the band one of the defining acts of 2000s pop rock. There’s a particular magic to the way Ruess sings; his phrasing and emotional range turn every chorus into something cathartic and communal. And at this show, his vocals weren’t just nostalgia, they were proof that his talent has not only endured but somehow sharpened with time.
The energy was electric from the first note. The band tore through their hits with joyful ferocity, transforming the cemetery into a full-blown singalong. Every fan in attendance seemed to have their own moment of transcendence. Between songs, the band’s chemistry felt as natural as ever, a reminder of how effortless their blend of clever songwriting, hook-driven melodies, and heartfelt sincerity has always been.
And just when the night felt perfectly steeped in nostalgia, The Format looked toward the future. They played “Holy Roller,” the first single from their upcoming album Boycott Heaven, due out in January 2026. The track carried the same signature melodic charm fans adore, but with a darker, more mature edge, the sound of a band evolving while staying true to their core.
For longtime fans, this show was more than a concert; it was a reunion with their younger selves. For The Format, it was a triumphant reminder that great pop rock never really fades, it just waits for the right night to come alive again. At Hollywood Forever, under the glow of memory and melody, The Format proved they were worth every second of the wait.
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