Collector Check-In: Aly & AJ in Concert
Words by Eric Wind and Photos by Charlie Dunne
Aly Michalka, AJ Michalka, and Aly’s husband Stephen Ringer are three of the most passionate people about vintage watches that I know! My colleague Charlie Dunne and I had the joy of seeing Aly & AJ in concert at the House of Blues in Orlando on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.
Although I am certainly biased since they are close friends and clients, I can honestly say they are one of the best live acts I have seen. I previously saw them perform in Anaheim in 2019 for their Sanctuary Tour (based on their Sanctuary EP that was more synth-pop and electropop in the 1980s style) and I can honestly say it was one of the best shows I have ever seen and Charlie agrees with me after having the opportunity to see them in concert for the first time. The show had a wonderful arc, starting with one of their most recent hits from their new album A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun, going to slower ballads, and ending with an epic finale. The crowd was so excited the whole time, as you can see in Charlie’s photos from the show. It was neat to see that the crowd was a mix of people that were fans since their 2005 Into the Rush debut album and newer fans that got to know them the last few years.
I have found that truly passionate people about vintage watches have an infectious enthusiasm that they share with those around them. In the case of Aly, AJ, and Stephen, they shared their love of vintage watches with their bandmates, two of whom now rock vintage watches from us at Wind Vintage. And, of course, Aly and AJ wear vintage watches on stage, which is wonderful to see!
Aly and AJ are not only amazingly talented as both musicians and actors, but they are truly warm and loving people that want the best for their fans and those around them. Seeing them interact so positively with their fans, bandmates, and crew before and after the show was heartwarming.
If you have the opportunity to see Aly & AJ in the final leg of their tour the next month, we can’t recommend it enough! Many of their shows are sold out, as was the case in Orlando, so you might want to buy tickets in advance of the show.
Special thanks to Aly Michalka, Amanda “AJ” Michalka, and Stephen Ringer for hosting us for an unforgettable concert and hang talking about and looking at watches after the show until after 1:00 AM!
You can listen to the band’s latest album A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun on Spotify, Apple Music, or TIDAL. To see Aly & AJ on tour and purchase merch and physical copies of their music, visit their official website.