When the powerhouse duo of A Day To Remember and Yellowcard announced they were teaming up for a massive North American extravaganza known as the Maximum Fun Tour, the only question left was — how far do I have to travel to see this can’t-miss show?
Fortunately, the colossal 36-stop tour, which kicked off at the beginning of September and runs through the end of November, swung through Jiffy Lube Live for a night of unforgettable entertainment.
Since their formation in 2003, A Day To Remember has amassed nearly two billion streams worldwide and sales of three million-plus units — including a platinum album, two gold albums, one platinum single and four gold singles. They’ve also consistently packed arenas on continental tours while attracting millions of fans worldwide.
In February, ADTR surprised fans with the shock-release of their latest album, simply known as A Day To Remember’s Big Ole Album Vol. 1. The release represented the band’s first new album since 2021’s You’re Welcome, and is their eighth album overall. Like each of their previous full-length albums, it wasted little time in ascending to number one on the Billboard Rock, Indie and/or Alternative Chart.
For those who are new here, A Day To Remember is: vocalist Jeremy McKinnon, lead guitarist Kevin Skaff, rhythm guitarist Neil Westfall, drummer Alex Shelnutt and, for this tour at least, bassist Bobby Lynge (of Fit For a King). And on this night, the band also included more than 10,000 honorary members/backup singers.
Wasting little time, A Day To Remember kicked things off with “The Downfall of Us All,” a flagship offering with an electric intro which ensured those in attendance were in for a memorable show. The certified gold single from 2009 showed just how locked in and ready the entire audience was, as they loudly and proudly sang along with the boys from Ocala, Florida. The strong singalong vibes continued as the band immediately tore into the second song of the evening, “I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?”
For the uninitiated, A Day To Remember shows could be somewhat jarring. The heaviest pop punk band in the business always presents a strong sense of camaraderie, both from the band members on stage and with the audience. Think about seeing Rocky Horror Picture Show in the theater, where audience participation is highly encouraged. That’s what it was like to be on the rail or in the pit for ADTR. Not only were there countless singalong opportunities, but there were also beach balls, oversized inflatable basketballs (complete with giant basketball hoops), confetti, streamers, toilet paper, smoke and pyro. Oh, and just when you think you’ve seen it all, Super Mario appeared on stage armed with a t-shirt cannon.
The first new offering of the evening was “Bad Blood,” (not Taylor’s version). With explosions of pyro, McKinnon and company tackled one of the heaviest tracks of the new album. As heart rates began to race, they followed it up with “Paranoia” and then “Resentment.” That trio of aggressive anthems had fans crowd surfing, head banging and circling the pit with reckless abandon. As the band seamlessly switched from a blink-182 sound to that of Killswitch Engage, their passionate and vocal audience roared its approval throughout. One minute the crowd gleefully bellowed out the chorus to a pop anthem; the next a circle pit opened up on the floor. None of it felt forced. All of it delivered amazing energy throughout the venue.
Other highlights throughout the night include “All My Friends” (a drinking song that features WWE superstar Seth “Freaking” Rollins in the music video), “LeBron” (a tribute to the King James and the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers) and “The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle” (an aggressive and beloved throwback to the band’s early days).
As the show began to wind down, the band played another new track, which is a personal favorite, called “Closer Than You Think.” They then slowed things down with an acoustic rendition of their most streamed song, “If It Means a Lot to You,” followed by “Flowers.” The pairing of those specific songs made perfect sense thematically, with the first track highlighting the difficulty of being away from loved ones and the second song focusing on the importance of expressing love and appreciation for the important people in your life before it’s too late. And while life on the road as a touring musician can obviously be difficult, closing with “All Signs Point to Lauderdale” (a song about their hometown that starts with the not-so-subtle lyrics “I hate this town”) seemed perfectly fitting. No matter where you go or how long you’re away, you can always go home … even if that home is better visited in small doses.
Setlist
The Downfall of Us All
I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?
Right Back at It Again
Bad Blood
Paranoia
Resentment
Mr. Highway’s Thinking About the End
All My Friends
Have Faith in Me
LeBron
It’s Complicated
All I Want
The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle
Closer Than You Think
If It Means a Lot to You
Flowers
All Signs Point to Lauderdale
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Yellowcard at Jiffy Lube Live
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.
Setlist
Top Gun Anthem
Only One
Lights and Sounds
Breathing
honestly i
Believe
Way Away
Light Up the Sky
Bedroom Posters
Keeper
For You, and Your Denial
Awakening
With You Around
Better Days
Ocean Avenue
photos + words: Brian Murphy