Twenty Years in Twenty-Three Songs: Mayday Parade Sells Out House of Blues

Last Saturday, the House of Blues Orlando hosted the second stop of Mayday Parade’s Three Cheers for 20 Years Tour—a night that celebrated two decades of emo anthems and heartfelt nostalgia. Joined by Like Roses, Grayscale, and Microwave, the evening was a testament to everything pop punk, from the sound, to the fans, and even a nod to long-running festival Vans Warped Tour.

Kicking off the night to an already packed venue, Like Roses delivered a spirited set that made it clear they more than earned their opening spot on this tour. They captivated and engaged attendees with their emotive vocals and energetic stage presence. Putting their personal spin on the classic early 2000s pop punk sound, it’s clear they are making waves in the scene.

Grayscale followed, infusing the venue with their polished blend of punk-influenced alternative rock. Their setlist primarily featured newer tracks off of their fifth studio album, The Hart, released in January of this year, but they still made sure to play a few older fan favorites, even going back to Adornment with anthem “Fever Dream.” With their striking entrance, moody lighting, and tight musicianship, Grayscale is a band that creates a near-cinematic experience that must be experienced in a live setting.

Not too far from home, Atlanta-based band Microwave took the stage next, delivering a powerful performance that blended post-hardcore intensity with catchy guitar melodies. Having just celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the album that started it all for them, Stovall, to a sold out hometown crowd at The Tabernacle, the band continued to ride that high and deliver a stellar performance to yet another sold out crowd. The band's ability to oscillate between aggression and vulnerability was the perfect way to set the stage for the iconic emo band Mayday Parade.

Finally, with anticipation at an all time high, the crowd was hit with a wave of nostalgia as Mayday Parade’s set began with a clip from an early Vans Warped Tour interview with a baby-faced Derek Sanders. The band then emerged, playing “By The Way,” the opening track off their EP, Sweet, released just a week prior. From there, they jumped into a set that spanned their entire discography, starting with “Just Say You’re Not Into It” off Tales Told By Dead Friends (2006) and hitting every major album and EP released since then. Twenty years depicted in twenty-three songs culminated in the final encore song, which was none other than “Jamie All Over.” The sold out crowd at the House of Blues sang their emo hearts out, and there were only smiles seen across the faces of everyone in attendance.

The Three Cheers for 20 Years Tour is already proving to be a special one, and we are just finishing up the first week. Mayday Parade have already had special events and collaborations, such as a limited tee by The Lost Bros offered only at the Orlando date, and a May Day flash tattoo event at Elm Street Tattoo in Dallas. Grayscale have also been announcing pop up acoustic sets and merch sales. With five more weeks of tour remaining, we can’t wait to see what else the bands have planned.

The Three Cheers for 20 Years Tour continues through to the first week of June, ending in a hometown show for Mayday Parade at The Moon in Tallahassee, FL. Over ten shows have already sold out and many more are heading in that direction, so be sure to grab your tickets before it’s too late. This is not a tour you want to miss.