Yellowcard, New Found Glory, and Plain White T’s Kick Off Pop Punk Season at Michigan Lottery Ampitheatre
Yellowcard, New Found Glory, and Plain White T’s are starting our amphitheatre season strong this year for the lovers of Pop-Punk. Fans braved the cooler temps by bundling up and dancing later at Michigan Lottery Ampitheatre on Wednesday night, May 13, to relive the good ol’ days and make some new memories.
PLAIN WHITE T’S
Plain White T’s admitted they were surprised by our weather, but told us they planned on warming us up. They performed an 8-song set which included “Hate (I Really Don’t Like You),” “Would You Even,” “Rhythm of Love,” and of course, their most notable and beloved track, “Hey There Delilah.”
NEW FOUND GLORY
New Found Glory always has the most energy out of any band on any lineup, and this stop was no exception. Kicking off their set, they noted to the fans that they remembered last year when they travelled to Michigan, Pine Knob had a power outage, so their slated spot on tour with The Offspring and Jimmy Eat World did not go on. They more than made up for it, however, as they charged through their setlist, which included songs like “Understatement,” “Hit Or Miss,” “All Downhill from Here,” and even their cover of “Part Of Your World” from ‘The Little Mermaid.’
Chad Gilbert was not on the road, as he just received brain surgery back in March for the 3 tumors that were found after his cancer diagnosis. Four Year Strong’s frontman Dan O’Connor has been holding down his space for the time being.
YELLOWCARD
And finally, Yellowcard. Before their set started, you immediately got the vibe that they were going to heavily invest in nostalgia (and that’s not a bad thing). Retro video game console call backs, old school TV vibes, and decoration. Then, as the ‘Ghostbusters’ theme from Ray Parker Jr. blasted through the speakers, our buddy the Stay Puft Marshmello Man appeared, being chased by a Ghostbuster trying to shoot him (or her, or they/them, we don’t really know) with a t-shirt cannon. Someone let me know how to apply for that job.
Yellowcard said back at the When We Were Young Festival in 2025 that they’d considered hanging it up, but then the band released a new track called “Better Days,” which became a huge success, telling them they weren’t done just yet.
The band has always been more of a different group, considering the added violin parts from Sean Mackin. It sets the band apart and helps you immediately identify a Yellowcard song, but it also brings a sort of draw to those who want a little bit more than just the standard.
Yellowcard worked through 19 tracks, including the classics “Way Away,” “Empty Apartment,” and “Lights and Sounds,” and of course, saved the best for last, “Ocean Avenue.”
Both Yellowcard and New Found Glory headed out to Sonic Temple in Ohio after our show, but will be redirecting back to Chicago to meet up with Plain White T’s at the Salt Shed. See where they’re headed after that by checking out Yellowcard’s tour page on their website.