Following their final tour in 2016, not many people expected to hear from Yellowcard again. Now after seven years and some side projects, the band are back together with a massive headlining tour, performing at some of the largest US venues of their careers.

Opening Seattle’s show at the 7,000 capacity WAMU Theater - one of this tour’s only indoor venues - Mayday Parade, Anberlin, and This Wild Life all put on energetic performances, preparing the audience for Yellowcard's headlining set. Members of Emery and Acceptance (who opened Yellowcard's last Seattle show) were in attendance, with Acceptance vocalist Jason Vena joining Anberlin on stage during one song. Yellowcard share quite a bit of history with this tour’s openers; Anberlin drummer Nate Young has recorded drums on all of Yellowcard’s studio material following original drummer Longineu Parsons III’s departure nearly a decade ago, and frontman Ryan Key opened for Mayday Parade on his first solo tour after Yellowcard’s breakup.

“Welcome to the biggest headlining show we've ever played in Washington state”

Fans enthusiastically cheered as the American rock band Yellowcard stepped foot on stage. The band currently consists of four members - guitarist/vocalist Ryan Key, violinist/vocalist Sean Mackin, guitarist Ryan Mendez, and bassist Josh Portman. Jimmy Brunkvist of Like Torches was once again filling in on drums after having played with the band on their 2016-2017 tour. Seattle’s show was a sentimental one for Yellowcard, with Mackin at one point describing the city as his “second home.”

The influential band returned with a set full of classic songs from the height of the early 2000s pop-punk scene. After kicking off their set with the explosive “Way Away,” Yellowcard performed many tracks from Ocean Avenue (the crowd especially loved the violin leads of “Believe”). Several other great selections from later albums were mixed into the set as well, including some personal favorites, “Light Up the Sky” and “With You Around.”

“Rough Landing, Holly” was cut short when the band paused the show after seeing a fan had passed out near the front of the crowd. Key called for help, and continued to comment on venue security’s inaction until a group of nurses in the audience made their way to the front to help. Unfortunately due to a strict curfew the band had to move on to the next song without finishing it, but thankfully it was later reported that the fan was okay.

Halfway through the set, Yellowcard slowed things down with some stripped-down songs, and Mayday Parade fans were thrilled to see vocalist Derek Sanders join during “Hang You Up.” Having just released their new EP Childhood Eyes two weeks before the show, Yellowcard performed the title track to great reception from the crowd; despite being brand new, the high-energy song blended perfectly with the rest of the band's material.

Nearing the end of the show, the band paused for Key to speak to the audience. Thanking the crowd for the biggest tour of their career, Key promised Yellowcard fans “We will see you next time,” as Ryan Mendez began to play the opening palm-muted chords of the iconic “Ocean Avenue.” Both new and old fans joined the band in jumping and singing every word at the top of their lungs, cheering as Mackin (wearing his custom Seahawks 12th Man jersey) shouted “Seattle!” before the final chorus.

As Key mentioned near the end of Yellowcard’s unforgettable performance, they plan to continue as a band beyond 2023 - and based on the reaction from the crowd, Yellowcard fans can’t wait to see what comes next.

Yellowcard’s 2023 tour is nearing its end, but there are still a few shows remaining. Tour dates can be found at the band’s website here.