Tonight is a reunion of sorts. The lead singer of Yellowcard, Ryan Key, opened for Mayday Parade as a solo artist a few years ago. Also, Yellowcard’s Ocean Avenue and Story of the Year’s Page Avenue were both released in 2003 in a battle of the best Avenue record. All together they make an excellent concert lineup.

Story of the Year closes out their set with the fantastic “Until the Day I Die”, which has a whopping 117 million streams on Spotify. From the moment the first guitar notes play to the final chorus, the fans are raptured. “Until the day I die, I’ll spill my heart for you, for you!”

Next up is Mayday Parade.  In the middle of their set, they roll out the piano. Everyone leaves the stage except for the lead singer and the drummer, who is there for backup vocals. It’s a giant sing-a-long to “Miserable at Best.”  “I can live without you, but without you I’ll be miserable at best,” sings the entire audience. It truly is a special moment!

Next, they play “Piece of Your Heart”. Again, everyone sings along. “I’ve got a piece of your heart, but I want the whole damn thing!” All the couples hold each other tight. It’s a romantic emo moment.

To close out their set, they play “Jamie All Over”, which has over 92 million streams on Spotify and it is their biggest hit to date.  “I’ll take this Cali sunrise with me, and wake up with the fondest memories”. Everyone is jumping around and there is a lot of crowd surfing. It’s a great happy rocker to end with. 

See their full set here.

In 2017, Yellowcard completed what they were calling their final tour. Then, in 2022, they were invited to play at Riot Fest. They accepted this invitation and it ignited them to reunite and launch this year’s tour, which is their biggest tour ever. The lead singer, Ryan Key, is amazed at the size of the crowd. When they last played Chicago, it was at the House of Blues which has a capacity of 1,800. Today they are playing to about 7,000 people!

They jump right into “Way Away” to start, the opening track off their Ocean Avenue album. This tour is celebrating the 20 year anniversary of it’s release. “Way away away from here I’ll be / Way away away so you can see / How it feels to be alone and not believe (feels to be alone and not believe) / Feels to be alone and not believe anything.” It’s a great upbeat track that kicks their show off with a bang.

A few songs later, they play “Believe”. It features a “face melting” solo by the violinist, Sean Mackin. “Everything is gonna be alright, Be strong, believe!”

To end the night, they play “Ocean Avenue” which has a massive 317 million streams on Spotify “If I could find you now things would get better / We could leave this town and run forever / I know somewhere somehow we’ll be together / Let your waves crash down on me and take me away.” This pop punk anthem is the perfect song to send the fans out with giant smiles on their faces.

See their full setlist here.

Cost of a ticket: $55 and up
PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It
Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Quinn Delaney