Walking into the Old National Centre to see a live show in the year 2021 was a surreal experience. The last time I walked into a set of venue doors, the next day I found out it really was the last time for quite a while, and at the time we had no idea of when shows would return. Just like that, everyone in the music industry was stuck at a standstill. It took a toll on everyone mentally along with the trauma and loss that has surrounded the entire pandemic. We all hoped we’d be able to safely attend shows again one day- and here we are. What a great show to come back to.
The night was kicked off to a great start by Microwave, a band from Atlanta, Georgia. With songs about drunken nights and a partying lifestyle, Microwave’s latest release Death Is A Warm Blanket takes a more nihilistic tone with a bit of a different sound. DIAWB is sure to make you feel a pretty decent range of emotions, which was reflected by the crowd. From the front row, you could hear tons of synchronized voices shouting every word of their set. Although their Midwest tour with Mayday Parade was nearing its end- they are starting a new tour with Elder Brother, Taking Meds, and Weakened Friends on September 25th. Microwave has toured with other artists such as Jimmy Eat World, Tiny Moving Parts, and Can’t Swim.
With the room already being high-energy, crew members began to load Mayday Parade’s equipment onto the stage. The room was filled with chatter. “This is my seventh time seeing Mayday Parade.” People in the front row excitedly took photos of the set list on the floor of the stage, passing them around to people further back. There is no doubt that Mayday Parade has an enthusiastically dedicated fan base. Many people in the crowd grew up with them and knew every word to every song.
When you try to picture the perfect Mayday Parade set, you’re probably not too far off. They started out with a fan favorite from their earlier days, and kept up a high-energy mix of both new and old songs, all absolute bangers. It couldn’t have been a better show. The people who attended the show carried the energy with them out to the parking lot, and probably screamed every word to those same songs again in the car on the way home.
Mayday Parade recently announced their seventh studio album,What It Means To Fall Apart. It is due to be released on November 19th through Rise Records. You can preorder What It Means To Fall Apart now, and check out their new music video for “One For The Rocks And One For The Scary.”
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