Rooney, a popular rock band from Los Angeles most recognized for its hit “When Did Your Heart Go Missing?” will return to Gainesville on Wednesday to perform.
The band, alongside openers Royal Teeth and Swimming With Bears, will be performing new songs and old hits for The Groundswell Tour at High Dive.
“When you book a tour, you get to talk about where you want to play, and I specifically was like, ‘I really want to go to Gainesville,’” said Robert Schwartzman, the frontman of Rooney. He is also known for his role in “The Princess Diaries,” in which he played Michael Moscovitz.
The last time Rooney played in Gainesville was in 2011, and Schwartzman said he asked to go back because he recalled it being memorable.
Pat Lavery, the promoter at High Dive, said the band came to Gainesville several years ago and he was happy to hear they wanted to return.
“I’m sure the crowd will be very enthusiastic to hear their new songs and see a band that hasn’t been here in a long time,” Lavery said.
Schwartzman said he is excited to share some of the new songs from their album “Washed Away,” which he’s received a lot of positive feedback on.
“People have said they find the record has the Rooney sound they’ve come to love through these years, but it feels new,” he said.
While he wants the band to embrace songs from “Washed Away,” Schwartzman said the band also plans on playing crowd-pleasers at its Gainesville concert.
“I try to make every tour have its own personality,” he said. “I tried to design a setlist that’s really upbeat, high energy, that leaves you from front to back super excited the whole night. I really try to encourage the crowd to let loose and enjoy the moment, kind of leave all their fears at home.”
While Rooney plans on bringing energy to High Dive, the lead singer said he knows the opening acts will follow suit.
“We spent a lot of time picking openers because we want the fans to be really, really excited about the entire night of music,” he said.
Schwartzman said he expects Royal Teeth to be “really aggressive and wanting to kill it every night,” and Swimming with Bears to be “feeding fans (and) wanting to connect with people.”
Shanna Merceron, a UF English junior, said she has been a fan of Rooney for years and is looking forward to seeing the band live.
“I’m a frequent concert-goer,” the 20-year-old said. “I’m excited to drag my friends to the High Dive next week for a night of good music and company.”
Tickets to The Groundswell Tour concert at High Dive are $15 in advance at ticketfly.com and $17 the day of the show, with an additional $3 charge for those under 21. The concert is for those 18 or older.
“It takes a lot to make these shows happen, and I hope that people appreciate that,” Schwartzman said. “My main goal is to show all the people that have been supportive all these years that I’m here, and I care, and I’m making music, and I want to keep making music.”
