A night packed with old favorites and loud sing-alongs!
Some concerts feel less like a live show and more like a class reunion. That was the atmosphere last night at Freeman Coliseum as fans from their twenties to their sixties gathered for The Up Up Down Down Tour featuring Plain White T’s, New Found Glory, and Yellowcard. Long before the first note rang out, people were already swapping stories about the first time they heard these songs, the CDs they wore out in their cars, and the playlists that carried them through high school and college.
The crowd arrived early and stayed engaged all night. Friends grabbed drinks, posed for photos, and proudly wore tour shirts from years past. There was a comfortable energy in the building. Nobody seemed interested in being cool. Everyone was there to sing, smile, and reconnect with music that had been part of their lives for decades.
By the time the lights dimmed for the first band, Freeman Coliseum felt less like an arena and more like a gathering of old friends. The night would eventually become a celebration of pop-punk’s staying power, but it started with something simpler: thousands of people excited to hear songs they still knew by heart.
PLAIN WHITE T'S
Plain White T’s, with Tom Higgenson, Tim Lopez, De’Mar Hamilton, and Mike Retondo, kicked off the evening with a set that balanced newer material and longtime fan favorites. The band sounded relaxed and confident, immediately settling into a groove with songs like “Feeling (More Like) Myself,” “Hate (I Really Don’t Like You),” and “Would You Even.”
What stood out most was how naturally they connected with the audience. There was no need for elaborate production or lengthy speeches. The songs did the work. Tracks like “Anything 4 U,” “1, 2, 3, 4,” and “Take Me Away” kept the energy moving while the crowd slowly grew louder with every song.
Of course, everyone knew what was coming. The opening chords of “Hey There Delilah” instantly transformed the arena into a giant choir. Phones went up, voices got louder, and for a few minutes it felt like the entire venue was singing together. Even after all these years, the song still carries a unique emotional pull.
The band wisely closed with “Our Time Now,” which felt like the perfect statement for an audience revisiting some of the defining music of their youth. It was a strong opening set that reminded everyone why Plain White T’s remain a beloved part of the pop-rock landscape.
NEW FOUND GLORY
If Plain White T’s warmed up the crowd, New Found Glory turned the temperature up several levels.
From the moment they launched into “A Love Song” and “Understatement,” the energy inside Freeman Coliseum noticeably shifted. Fans jumped, sang, and threw their fists into the air as if the early 2000s had never ended. The band’s chemistry remains one of their greatest strengths. The band’s members, Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Cyrus Bolooki, and musical guests, looked fully invested, feeding off the crowd’s enthusiasm and returning it right back. The band also shared a heartfelt message for absent guitarist Chad Gilbert, who is currently battling a rare form of stage 4 adrenal cancer. During his absence, Dan O’Connor is on guitar.
“Hit Or Miss” and “Head On Collision” generated some of the night’s loudest sing-alongs up to that point. These songs have aged remarkably well, and judging by the audience reaction, they continue to hold an important place in people’s lives.
Later in the set, “Laugh It Off” and “Beer And Blood Stains” kept the momentum going before the band delivered a powerful closing stretch. “Truth Of My Mouth” and “Sincerely Me” set the stage for the moment everyone had been waiting for. When “My Friends Over You” finally arrived, the reaction was immediate. The crowd shouted every word back toward the stage, creating one of the night’s biggest communal moments.
New Found Glory’s set was a reminder that great pop-punk isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about songs that still feel alive decades later.
YELLOWCARD
The Up Up Down Down Tour
As the house lights dimmed for Yellowcard, the excitement inside Freeman Coliseum reached another level. The band’s entrance was accompanied by the familiar Top Gun Anthem, creating a fun and unexpected opening before they launched into “Better Days” and “Way Away.”
From there, the set unfolded with a thoughtful balance of fan favorites, deeper cuts, and emotional moments. “For You, And Your Denial,” “Rough Landing, Holly,” and “Love Letters Lost” showcased the band’s ability to blend urgency with melody, while “Always Summer” brought a welcome burst of energy.
One of the most memorable sections came midway through the performance when the band moved to a smaller bedroom-style stage setup. For “You Broke Me Too,” “Back Home,” “Big Blue Eyes,” and “Empty Apartment,” the atmosphere shifted completely. The giant arena suddenly felt intimate. It was a clever production choice that allowed these songs to breathe and gave fans a chance to experience a different side of the band’s catalog.
Throughout the night, Ryan Key remained fully engaged with the audience. His interactions felt genuine rather than rehearsed, and his appreciation for the crowd was evident from start to finish. Meanwhile, the band’s musicianship was as sharp as ever. Sean Mackin’s signature violin work, one of the elements that has always set Yellowcard apart from their peers, sounded fantastic live, adding texture and emotion to every part of the set. Ryan Mendez, Jimmy Brunkvist, and Josh Portman rounded out the band’s signature sound, helping deliver the energy, precision, and melodic depth that have defined Yellowcard throughout their career.
The final run of songs delivered exactly what longtime fans hoped for. “Only One” brought thousands of voices together before “Bedroom Posters” pushed the energy back up. Then came “Ocean Avenue.” The song’s opening notes triggered an instant reaction, with nearly everyone in the building singing before Ryan Key even reached the first verse.
It was not just a closing song. It felt like a shared memory being relived in real time.
The “Bedroom” Stage
One of the most creative elements of the evening was Yellowcard’s temporary move to a smaller bedroom-inspired stage. Instead of relying solely on large screens and arena-sized production, the band chose to create a more personal environment for four songs that carried a different emotional weight.
The setup worked remarkably well. Fans who had spent much of the night jumping and singing suddenly found themselves listening more closely. “You Broke Me Too,” “Back Home,” “Big Blue Eyes,” and “Empty Apartment” felt more conversational in this setting, almost like hearing the songs where they were originally written.
It added variety to the performance and provided one of the evening’s most memorable visual moments.
From Jacksonville to Pop-Punk Mainstays
Yellowcard formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in the late 1990s and quickly distinguished themselves from other bands in the pop-punk scene through their unique use of violin alongside fast-paced guitars and melodic hooks. That combination helped them stand out during a crowded era for alternative music.
The band’s breakthrough arrived with 2003’s “Ocean Avenue,” an album that produced several enduring fan favorites and established them as one of the defining acts of the genre. Over the years, Yellowcard evolved their sound while maintaining the emotional honesty that connected them to listeners in the first place.
Their songs often blend youthful energy with themes of growth, relationships, and self-reflection, which helps explain why fans continue to return to them decades later.
