The OK Orchestra Tour was the fifth concert tour by the American pop band AJR, supporting their fourth studio album, OK Orchestra (2021). It ran from September 7, 2021, to October 20, 2022, and covered 71 shows across four continents. The set list consisted primarily of songs from OK Orchestra, with a few numbers from the band's previous albums The Click (2017) and Neotheater (2019).
Following news of the COVID-19 pandemic, AJR canceled the second leg of the Neotheater World Tour and the Everything Everywhere Tour in May 2020.[2] The band performed drive-in concerts and virtual shows as safe alternatives to the tours through to 2021.[3] AJR wrote their fourth album during this time, which released as OK Orchestra on March 26, 2021.[4] On March 31, the band stated plans to tour in 2022,[5] which was formally announced on April 11 as the OK Orchestra Tour.[6] Presale tickets were sold through Live Nation Entertainment beginning on April 13 via a text-provided access code, while general tickets became available on April 16.[7] With 32 shows across the United States, AJR additionally teased international dates in the same announcement.[8]
On July 11, the band announced a 2021 leg of the OK Orchestra Tour with 12 new dates and VIP packages for the entire tour, which from lowest to highest tier included exclusive merchandise, early entry, a group photo, a live master class and Q&A with Ryan Met, and a dodgeball or Pictionary game with the band. These tickets and packages became available on July 16.[9] The OK Orchestra Tour started on September 7 at the Sylvee in Madison, Wisconsin, with the first leg ending in October.[10] On September 13, AJR postponed the September 16 show at the Zoo Amphitheatre in Oklahoma City to June 7, 2022, due to an inability to enforce COVID-19 safety regulations.[11] The night before the band's September 23 concert at Palace Theatre in Albany, the show's changed its venue, instead taking place at Times Union Center.[12] Shows during the 2021 leg were opened by Daisy the Great and Sasha Alex Sloan.[13]
On September 18, 2021, AJR announced eight more dates in the United States for 2022,[14] additionally announcing 18 dates in Europe. Tickets for these shows became available on September 24.[15] On November 21, the band stated they would release new music before the 2022 leg.[16] On February 9, 2022, AJR released a music video for "Ordinaryish People" featuring Blue Man Group, who announced on the same day that they would join the OK Orchestra Tour for five dates.[17] The band later canceled their October 22 concert at the 1930 Moscow Concert hall in Moscow on February 25 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[18] On March 31, tickets for five dates in Australia and New Zealand became available,[19] followed the next day by an additional date in Dublin.[20] On May 9, the tour's May 10 show at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati was rescheduled to May 17 due to heavy rainfall in the Ohio River bordering the flood stage.[21]Gayle was the tour's opening act from the start of the 2022 leg up to May 21,[22][23] while BoyWithUke opened shows from May 27 to June 24.[24] Dates in Australia and New Zealand were opened by Alexander 23,[25] and Ryan Mack supported the tour's European leg.[26]
The OK Orchestra Tour Doc
Alongside the development of the tour, AJR released The OK Orchestra Tour Doc, a six-episode documentary series that was directed by Austin Roa and published to YouTube between October 24, 2021, and November 6, 2022. Episodes ranged 7–17 minutes in length and showcased rehearsals, fan interactions, concert highlights, backstage footage, and hardships with the tour.[27]
Episode
Directed by
Original release date
Length (minutes)
1
Austin Roa
October24,2021(2021-10-24)
17:46
Between August 20 and August 28, 2021, AJR meets with their touring team to plan and rehearse stage acts, including for "Ordinaryish People" and "3 O'Clock Things". Once the tour begins, various fan interactions, performance snippets, and master class sessions from the 2021 leg are shown intermittently. The band celebrates the birthdays of touring drummer Chris Berry and concertgoers, later playing various ball games with their crew. On two dates, some personnel test positive for COVID-19, leading to everyone else being tested to ensure the show can still proceed.
2
Austin Roa
May14,2022(2022-05-14)
10:11
AJR holds a rehearsal week for the tour's 2022 leg, discussing the visualizer for "I Won't", designing instruments, and practicing "Joe" with Kenny Urban. The band then interacts with fans as more performance snippets are shown. Shortly before the scheduled start time of the 2022 leg's first show, Adam and Ryan go on a scooter ride with Steve Greenberg and get lost with dead batteries, and are lectured by Jack and other personnel upon returning.
3
Austin Roa
May29,2022(2022-05-29)
7:17
A thunderstorm before the tour's concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion concerns AJR's ability to catch a plane to their next show, leading the team to discuss potentially cutting songs before receiving clearance to perform the full show. Further performance clips and fan interactions are shown, including a celebration of Keith's birthday and a dedication of "The Good Part" to a fan.
4
Austin Roa
June27,2022(2022-06-27)
12:21
The band celebrates David's birthday. During a concert at Value City Arena, AJR performs "Bang!" without visuals due to a technical failure. Fan interactions and concert snippets are shown, including performances from Blue Man Group. Their dad attends the OK Orchestra Tour for the first time, and he commends their success. After various games, a flash flood warning goes into effect before the show at Red Hat Amphitheater, forcing a majority of visual effects to be removed to prevent equipment damage. AJR holds a ceremony celebrating Adam's graduation from University of Birmingham, and throws the ceremonial first pitch of a baseball game at Petco Park.
5
Austin Roa
September10,2022(2022-09-10)
12:51
AJR ends the United States portion of their tour by fully shaving a crew member. In Australia, the band interacts with fans and performs a shoey, with additional concert highlights being played. They give a radio interview with KIIS 106.5 discussing "I'm Ready" alongside other singles, and later prank drummer Chris and tour personnel Rob and Ezra with fake shaves. AJR gives additional interviews with Sunrise, Nova FM, and ZM Radio before traveling to New Zealand, where the band jokes backstage and plays two more shows.
6
Austin Roa
November6,2022(2022-11-06)
8:45
The band performs the tour's European shows and interacts with fans. Adam begins taking naproxen after throwing his back out due to his consistent usage of advil, rendering the medicine ineffective. The band rehearses a new routine for "Ordinaryish People" and works on new songs in their tour bus. Technical difficulties during the middle of a show briefly delay "Joe", and Ryan later breaks his glasses before the encore. Tour personnel record claps and stomps for a song and then play toy bowling. The series ends with the band driving in the rain.
Set list
The following set lists are adapted from the show in Norfolk on September 19, 2021, and the show in Austin on April 29, 2022. It is not intended to represent all shows throughout the tour.
Interlude ("Next Up Forever" / "Netflix Trip" / "Birthday Party" / "Record Player" / "The Green and the Town" / "I'm Ready" / "Break My Face" / "Christmas in June" / "Turning Out")
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