After inspiring sets from The Wonder Years and Boundaries, it was Yellowcard’s time to shine. And what better way to set off on a nostalgia trip down memory lane than to kick things off with the Top Gun theme?
With minimal lighting, lead guitarist Ryan Mendez strolled out onto the stage and began strumming one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable riffs in pop culture history. Violinist Sean Mackin then accompanied Mendez on stage in a duet that sounded so good, you half expected Tom Cruise to appear in a flight suit.
While the Hollywood icon did not make a cameo appearance, the theatrical opening coupled with the dramatic individual introductions of each remaining band member – vocalist William Ryan Key, bassist Josh Portman and drummer Jimmy Brunkvist (of Like Torches) – helped build the moment while simultaneously firing up the packed crowd at Jiffy Lube Live. The loud and enthusiastic ovation that followed was both fitting and a sign of things to come for the evening.
Before fans could settle into their seats, the Jacksonville band immediately launched into “Only One” followed by “Lights and Sounds,” which delivered a mix of emotional depth while continuing to raise the energy level from the jump. The title track from their 2006 album, Lights and Sounds, was clearly a hit with those in attendance – which makes sense because it was one of the band’s highest charting songs (reaching No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart) until “Better Days” hit number one earlier this year.
Before “Lights and Sounds” kicked off, audio of Mikey’s heartwarming speech: “Down here, it’s our time. It’s our time down here!” from The Goonies kept the nostalgia vibes going strong. Additional references to “Back to the Future,” “E.T.,” “Say Anything” and “Karate Kid” were sprinkled in throughout the rest of the set.
A few songs later, Yellowcard debuted “honestly i,” a catchy, new song that could easily find itself in regular rotation on playlists and radio stations. The track, “Believe,” provided a chance for Mackin and his violin to shine. Later on, “Light Up the Sky” allowed Brunkvist to tear into his drum kit the best way possible.
While so much of the show harkens back to a different era, thanks to countless retro references and a massive set that included an oversized VHS tape, it made sense the band was feeling a bit nostalgic.
“There are thousands and thousands of fans singing along with Yellowcard in 2025,” Key said during a brief break in the action. “There was a time when we didn’t think we were going to play together again, and now we’re playing the biggest shows of our careers. Thank you, guys, for your support.”
Key and the rest of the band doesn’t take any of this for granted, especially after they disbanded in 2017. Thankfully, they reunited in 2022 and are now reaching heights that were previously unimaginable.
“We’re 25 years into our careers and this is our first number one song,” said Key. “This song’s called ‘Better Days.’ Let’s go.”
As noted, “Better Days” became Yellowcard’s first-ever number one single on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart this summer. Incredibly, that achievement also set a record for the longest gap between an artist’s first appearance on the chart to their first number one hit. They’re not just clinging to past glory. They’re re-writing history.
After playing their newest hit, there was truly only one way for Yellowcard to end the night — with the biggest hit. Ending the set with “Ocean Avenue” gave the evening a climactic, cathartic release as they circled back to their certified (twice) platinum smash hit from two decades ago. The entire evening showed how to strike a perfect balance between fan favorites and fresh, new material.
Speaking of new material, Better Days is the band’s first full feature length album in nearly a decade, and the highly-anticipated album is produced by blink-182’s Travis Barker, who also played drums on every track. Fans of high-energy pop punk with a signature violin twist, are surely counting down the days until its release.
