All-American Rejects play surprise Tulsa show, raise funds for local music program

Oklahoma’s own All-American Rejects made a surprise stop in Tulsa Monday night, performing an intimate show at WOMPA as part of their national “House Party” tour—and giving back to the local music community in the process.

The concert, which was announced just hours before showtime, drew hundreds of fans to the creative arts space in the Riverbend Arts District. Only 750 were admitted, despite more than 20,000 RSVPs through social media. Fans entered a raffle for tickets by posting a video using the band’s latest single, “Easy Come, Easy Go,” on TikTok or Instagram.

>>> The All-American Rejects host concert in Tulsa

The event was part of Tulsa Music Month and doubled as a fundraiser for the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture (FMAC). All proceeds—more than $1,300—went to the Tulsa On Tour grant program, which supports local artists in touring nationally and internationally.

“For All-American Rejects to come back home to Tulsa on this tour and donate all the proceeds to Tulsa On Tour shows the type of community we have here,” said FMAC manager Natalie Bowling. “As soon as we contacted them, they were all-in.”

Lead singer Tyson Ritter, who now lives in Tulsa, said the show served as a homecoming and a way to elevate Tulsa’s creative community.

“Getting to align one of our backyard shows with not only WOMPA, but Tulsa FMAC just naturally felt like the best way to kill two birds,” Ritter said. “One, support the local community... and two, make a killer free live experience to showcase the July Local Music month in T-town.”

Tulsa-based band Wilderado opened the show, and special guests included Outsiders House Museum founder and former House of Pain frontman Danny Boy O’Connor, who performed a mashup of “Jump Around” and “Gives You Hell” with the headliners. Country music star Zach Bryan and filmmaker Sterlin Harjo were also spotted in the crowd.

The concert was supported by Experience Tulsa, Cabin Boys Brewery, Bootleg, Z104.5 The Edge, and Platinum Event Services.