Jack Kays’ first ever world tour, “Washed Up Dried Out” graced the El Rey Theatre on February 20th, 2025. Emmyn Calleiro and Games We Play warmed up the crowd with a sultry, sensually comedic introduction. On Pete Wentz’ record label, Games We Play is a pop-punk group introducing themselves to many new cities this tour. They had lively energy onstage and the crowd sang along to many hits, especially “I Hope Your Happy” off the band’s 2022 EP.
Jack’s mix of emo and folk-punk filled the floor of the venue with concertgoers. Kays, who has collaborated with the likes of Travis Barker, held the crowd’s attention every step of the way. From upbeat, catchy songs like “Blow It” and “Sleep When I’m Dead” to songs that made many in the audience hug their loved ones like “Tether” (written for his wife). The focus and ultimate message however, seemed to be fighting addiction, when Kays shared how important sobriety is to him, as he’d written “My Promise (90 Days)” for his friend who was taken by addiction. In addition to the 21-song setlist, a Jack Kays tradition was reinstated — shaving a head onstage, after which the subject launched themselves into an epic crowd surfing trip back to their spot in the audience.
Jack Kays is just getting started in terms of his career and this tour, and is hitting the rest of the West Coast US, the East Coast, and then Europe before his “Washed Up Dried Out” tour concludes in London in May. He is a force to be reckoned with in the pop-punk arena, and should be checked out for all fans of emo music, Frank Turner, Kenny Hoopla, and MGK.
GALLERY: Jack Kays with Games We Play at The El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles (February 20, 2025)
