Icon For Hire are bringing the emo revival to life in 2023; the band has just announced their Emo Dreams Tour, a full North American headlining run kicking off this September and rolling through October.
The announcement came on July 27 via a short, cinematic teaser posted to the band’s official social media accounts; the clip featured frontwoman Ariel Bloomer stepping into a dreamlike neon haze, with the words “Emo Dream Until The Day I Die.” flashing across the screen. Fans didn’t need more context — they knew something big was coming.
The Lineup
And big it is: Icon For Hire will be headlining, supported by Conquer Divide, The Funeral Portrait, and Concrete Castles — three rising forces in the modern alternative scene. Together, they form a lineup that perfectly balances nostalgia and new energy; emo meets metalcore, pop-punk, and alt-pop all in one package.
The tour will hit major cities across the U.S. and Canada, with stops expected in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and New York. While full routing details are still under wraps, fans can already sense it’s going to be one of the most dynamic alt tours of the year.
Ariel shared in the teaser’s caption, “This is the tour we’ve been dreaming of — a space for everyone who still believes in the power of feeling too much.”
A New Era for Icon For Hire
This announcement marks the band’s first major North American headlining run since the pandemic disrupted touring plans back in 2020; after a string of successful releases and a cancelled 2022 European tour, The Emo Dreams Tour feels like a hard-earned victory lap.
Icon For Hire have built a reputation for independence and resilience; after splitting from their label years ago, they’ve thrived on fan support, crowdfunding albums, and building a fiercely loyal following. Now, with The Emo Dreams Tour, they’re stepping into a new creative phase — one that celebrates emotion, honesty, and community.
Ariel said in a statement shared later that day, “We’ve been through a lot these last few years — as a band, as people, as a world. This tour is about reconnecting. About coming together to feel everything we’ve had to hold inside.”
The Supporting Acts
The support lineup reads like a mini festival. Conquer Divide bring the heavy edge, known for their fierce blend of metalcore and melody. The Funeral Portrait add a theatrical touch with their gothic visuals and emotional flair; their live sets blur the line between concert and performance art. And Concrete Castles deliver a pop-rock punch that adds brightness to the mix — the perfect contrast to Icon For Hire’s raw, brooding sound.
Fans online have already dubbed the lineup “a dream team for misfits,” and it’s hard to argue. Each band brings something unique to the table, but together, they share one goal: catharsis.
Fan Reactions
Social media erupted within minutes of the teaser’s release; fans called the lineup “unreal,” “a perfect mix of old and new emo,” and “the tour of the year.” Some even started counting down the days, while others begged for more dates to be added.
The band’s comment sections filled with heart emojis, crying-face reactions, and nostalgic shoutouts. One fan wrote, “I’ve waited ten years for this lineup — it’s like my teenage playlist came to life.” Another joked, “Take my money, take my heart, take my eyeliner.”
Clearly, The Emo Dreams Tour is hitting the right emotional note.
What to Expect from Icon for Hire
If past tours are any indication, fans can expect a visually rich show — Icon For Hire are known for turning small stages into immersive spaces, mixing bold lighting, vivid imagery, and powerful storytelling. Ariel’s commanding stage presence and Shawn Jump’s explosive guitar work create a chemistry that keeps audiences locked in from start to finish.
The band hasn’t revealed whether new music will accompany the tour, but given their history of surprise releases, fans are already speculating that something fresh may drop before opening night.
Final Thoughts
The Emo Dreams Tour isn’t just another run of shows; it feels like a movement. A celebration of emotion, nostalgia, and community wrapped in neon light and distortion. For Icon For Hire, this tour represents resilience and rebirth.
As Ariel put it best: “We’re all still here. Still loud. Still feeling everything. That’s what this tour is about.”
So, grab your eyeliner, dust off your band tees, and get ready. The Emo Dreams Tour is coming — and it’s about to make you believe in the power of emo all over again.