Hidden Beats
We Are Story Tellers
Mayday Parade in Anaheim
Twenty years in, and Mayday Parade still knows exactly how to make a room feel like home. The House of Blues in Anaheim was packed to the brim with fans who grew up on the band’s music. This wasn’t just another stop on a tour. It was a full-circle celebration of two decades of music that defined an era and stuck around long after.
Mayday Parade
From the moment they hit the stage, the energy was undeniable. The crowd erupted as the opening chords of “By The Way” rang out. A time machine of a night that immediately had the entire floor feeling like it was 2007 again. Derek Sanders, barefoot and smiling, looked genuinely overwhelmed in the best way. You could tell this tour means something to them, not just the fans.
What followed was a setlist packed with nostalgia, but never once did it feel tired. “One Man Drinking Games,” “Ghosts,” and “Miserable at Best” hit just as hard, maybe even harder than they did all those years ago. Sanders’ vocals were as heartfelt as ever, and the band sounded completely at ease in their element.
Between songs, Derek shared stories and thank you’s, calling out the fans who had been with them “since the Myspace and Warped Tour days” and new ones alike. There were moments where the crowd drowned him out entirely, especially during “Jaime All Over” but he just smiled and let it happen. It was a mutual appreciation kind of night.
The stage setup unique with circular lights and flowers, made for interesting visuals! There’s something powerful about a band who can still make you feel everything they felt when they wrote those songs, 10 or 15 years later. The emotion never left.
Mayday Parade continues to prove why they are one of the best bands of all time and that they continue to get better with age. 20 years is a long time but I can’t wait to see what they continue to do in the next 20!
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