New Found Glory & Package Prove Pop Punk's Still Not Dead

September 30, 2021

After a long year that felt like at least four, and a scare that the tour may fall through when Canadian pop punk powerhouse, Simple Plan, dropped off... the day finally came to strap up the camera and head back into the photo pit for one of the best pop punk tour line ups ever assembled.

Last Wednesday September 29th  New Found Glory brought the "Pop Punk's Still Not Dead Tour" to Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ. A tour that seemed like it could fall through the cracks quickly revamped itself if not for the better! Bringing along longtime ska/skatepunk veterans Less Than Jake and the scenes hottest new pop-punk band, Hot Mulligan, this package was bound to bring many anxious concert-goers and fans into the venues mapped. Wednesday proved exactly that, Pop Punk is in fact not dead. The New Jersey crowd started pouring into the venue early as excitement grew throughout the time after doors opened. For many, their first show back after the pandemic wiped out a whole year of shows and concert-goers expectations. It was clear New Jersey was ready to rock the night away.


The tour package's first act, Lolo took the stage. The pop-act from Canada quickly showed that they were comfortable and at home right on stage with acts such as Hot Mulligan and the tour veterans. Playing different songs from their discography it became clear to me why they were on the package, they had a little bit of something for everyone to appreciate. The hooks that lured you in to sing along even when you've never heard a song kept the crowd engaged the entire time which can be tough to do for an opening act. It was a refreshing sound to finally hear live music again and Lolo did a great job at getting the crowd into their set and prepped to the rest of the night.

Second up, probably the most anticipated live set of the night for myself, was Hot Mulligan. The Michigan based band was a late addition to the tour package, but one that got me extremely excited about covering this tour.  Hot Mulligan has been on a trajectory and they are bound to be one of the biggest bands in the scene in the coming years. Coming to the stage the crowd showed a bit more energy for this one as it was clear that the New Jersey natives were a little more familiar with the guys from Michigan. Filling their time on stage with some of their most powerful songs, Hot Mulligan did not disappoint. Playing songs from their most recent release, ''you'll be fine'', to older jams from their discography, their set sent you on a rollercoaster with its peaks and valleys of emotion. Sky is the limit for this band as they bring such raw emotion to each one of their songs and tap into influences that can hit many different generations. For an elder emo like myself, they remind me of "Brand New, Motion City Soundtrack, meets Jimmy Eat World" while a touch of new wave pop-punk sounds like in the realm of Tiny Moving Parts.


  1. OG Bule Sky
  2. *Equip Sunglasses*
  3. Digging In
  4. Losing Days
  5. Featuring Mark Hoppus
  6. Bckyrd
  7. Dirty Office Bongos
  8. How Do You Know It's Not Armadillo Shells?



Soon the veterans time came to take over and they did. First at it was Less Than Jake. I haven't seen this band since my teenage years, and I recall the last time seeing them was at Starland Ballroom so it was great to see it come full circle. If you've ever been to a Less Than Jake show then you know, it was a hell of a time and they pulled out all the stops. From their antics on stage, to supplying the crowd with props to mess around with the energy throughout the set was unreal. Each word poured in over the barricade to the point where at times the band itself was drowned out. Though around for many years, Less Than Jake has not lost a step at all. They are still in their prime. If there is a definition of an ideal supporting band, look no further. LTJ brough the crowd to a whole new level, and really got everyone amped and ready for New Found Glory.

Last but not least, the main attraction took the stage. New Found Glory was the first band I have ever seen live, when they opened for Blink-182, and it felt great for them to be the main reason why I dusted off my camera and got back in the photo pit. 


As always, New Found Glory brought it. Playing a full packed set of all their hits, I'm not sure if the crowd ever got a breather. Opening things up with their hit single, Understatement, sent things off from the get go. The crowd singing along extra loud probably because of how long its been since they set foot in that building or at any show for that matter. Crowd surfers poured over the baracade keeping security on their toes but all in good fun. Though in their forties, just like Less Than Jake, New Found Glory has not lost a step. Its been how many years.... and these guys continue to put in the same amount of passion and energy into every live performance they do. If it were me I would be living on ice. Below find NFG's set list for the night.


Understatement

Truth of My Youth

King of Wishful Thinking (Go West cover)

Greatest of All Time

All Downhill From Here

Something I Call Personality

Truck Stop Blues

Sincerely Me

Vicious Love (with LØLØ)

Dressed to Kill

Kiss Me (Sixpence None the Richer cover)

Failure's Not Flattering

Nothing to Say

Hit or Miss

Don't Let Her Pull You Down

Head On Collision

Forget My Name


Encore:

Let It Go

(Kristen Anderson‐Lopez & Robert Lopez cover)

My Friends Over You


As you can see this set was filled with energy from the get go, and never stopped until it was over. Fans stayed until the very end even on a week night and it was clear they weren't worried about tomorrow. I highly recommend that everyone stop over to the remaining tour dates if it hits your city because you will bear witness to the fact that... Pop Punk's NOT Dead.

Article Written By:

Kevin Miller

Jack's Mannequin return to Philadelphia for another SOLD OUT show

By Matt Christine • June 13, 2025
On June 8, Jack’s Mannequin swept into the Fillmore Philadelphia for the hometown stop of their Made For Each Other 20th-anniversary tour, turning the storied ballroom into a reunion between new Andrew McMahon fans from his solo era and the fans who grew up with his songs in Jack's Mannequin. A burst of lights and the band made their way to their places on set as the massive LED screens behind them flicked to life with the roar of the crowd—almost before the crowd could catch its breath—the band dove head-first into “Bruised,” instantly launching a full-room sing-along for the first time of the night. The family style sing-alongs would continue all night long because a Jack's Mannequin show is more than just a concert, it's a gathering of fans of all walks of life. Rather than lean solely on radio favorites, McMahon built a career-spanning arc that kept veterans and newcomers guessing. Early standouts “The Mixed Tape” and “Amy, I” landed with arena-sized fervor, while deeper cuts like “Spinning,” “Television,” and the introspective “Cell Phone” offered welcome detours for die-hard listeners. Mid-show, the tempo dropped for a surprise, lights-down, almost-whispered rendition of “Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)”—performed nearly a cappella, save for a few plaintive piano chords. It was McMahon’s first time revisiting the lullaby in years, and the silence that followed its last note spoke louder than any applause. The final stretch was a one-two-three knockout: “I’m Ready,” “The Resolution,” and the soaring “Dark Blue,” each chorus louder than the last. After a brief exit, the band returned beneath a single spotlight for the encore. McMahon tipped his cap to the tour’s namesake, easing into the gentle “Restless Dream” before the full ensemble erupted into the sprawling suite “MFEO: Pt. 1 — Made For Each Other / Pt. 2 — You Can Breathe,” turning the title track into a communal vow to keep moving forward together. Twenty years on, Andrew McMahon and company showed how to honor a past without getting trapped in it: by laughing at the room you’re in, risking a fragile ballad in the middle of the party, and playing every song like it still belongs to today.

Shakira brings the 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour' to Atlanta

By Matt Christine • June 4, 2025
After a rocky start to her U.S. leg, with technical issues forcing the postponement of both the Washington, D.C. and Boston dates, Shakira delivered an electrifying, glitch-free performance in Atlanta that more than made up for the delays. The sold-out show at State Farm Arena proved why the Colombian superstar remains a force in global pop music: it was a spectacle of raw emotion, razor-sharp choreography, and dazzling stagecraft. Every moment felt polished and purposeful, yet deeply personal, a balance only a veteran performer like Shakira can pull off. The night opened with La Fuerte, a powerful declaration of intent that set the tone: this tour is about resilience, evolution, and feminine power. With minimal delay, she launched into a fierce rendition of GIRL LIKE ME, originally with the Black Eyed Peas, injecting it with her signature moves and vocal style. The audience, many of whom were adorned with glittering wolf ears and flashing LED bracelets, responded instantly, roaring as she transitioned into a nostalgic medley of Las de la intuición and Estoy aquí. It was a clever juxtaposition—early-career Shakira meeting her modern self, both artists occupying the stage in harmony. One of the most emotionally potent sequences came with Empire blending into Inevitable, where her vocals took on an operatic, almost volcanic intensity. The screen behind her exploded with elemental visuals—lava flows, crashing waves—mirroring the emotional crescendo on stage. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a catharsis. Later, Acróstico offered a softer moment, featuring a touching video of her children Sasha and Milan singing along, which visibly moved many in the crowd. You could hear a pin drop as Shakira sat on a stool, wiping away tears mid-performance. In terms of showmanship, the middle of the setlist was where Shakira proved her mettle. Copa Vacía, La Bicicleta, and La Tortura formed a seamless trinity of reggaeton and cumbia-infused pop, each song melting into the next with smooth transitions and high-energy dance breaks. She momentarily disappeared backstage during Chantaje, only to reemerge in a vibrant new costume and launch into a salsa version of the hit that transformed the entire arena into a nightclub. By the time she reached Whenever, Wherever, complete with a dramatic belly dance introduction using knives, Shakira had the entire arena in the palm of her hand. Her hips truly didn’t lie, and neither did the crowd, erupting into a thunderous sing-along. That energy spilled right into Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), which featured a thrilling Champeta breakdown and pulsating rhythms that was the infectious anthem of the 2010 World Cup. Shakira left the stage like a mythic figure—part woman, part legend—having proven once again that she isn’t just a performer. She’s a storyteller, a mother, a rebel, and above all, a she-wolf with a story still very much in motion.

The All-American Rejects kick off a new era at Parx Casino in Bensalem

By Matt Christine • April 1, 2025
On March 29, The All-American Rejects brought a whirlwind of nostalgia, energy, and surprise to the Xcite Center at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. With the crowd already buzzing, the band made their entrance to the iconic "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky, setting the tone for a night that would blend theatrical flair with heartfelt musicianship. Tyson Ritter and crew wasted no time launching into “Dirty Little Secret,” immediately turning the venue into a singalong haven for fans of all ages. The evening’s setlist was a well-balanced mix of crowd favorites and deep cuts, keeping both longtime fans and newer listeners on their toes. From upbeat anthems like “Fallin’ Apart” and “Beekeeper’s Daughter” to early classics like “My Paper Heart,” the band showcased their full range. But one of the night’s most emotional moments came from an unexpected fan request: an acoustic, acapella performance of “Heartbeat Slowing Down.” Tyson delivered the first verse and chorus with just his voice and a dim spotlight—his first time performing the song live since 2013. The crowd, stunned into silence, erupted with cheers at the final note. Throughout the show, Tyson Ritter kept the mood light with his signature irreverent humor. He poked fun at the convention center-style room, joking, about what other events were hosted in the room including a furry convention before launching into a riff about Parx Casino’s not-so-subtle encouragement to gamble. “They want you to leave this show... and immediately hit the slots. Don’t let them down!” he quipped, drawing laughs from every corner of the venue. That excitement rolled perfectly into a performance of their brand-new single “Sandbox,” which blended the band’s classic melodic hooks with a fresh, heavier indie-pop edge that had fans filming the moment for social media. One particularly fun surprise came when Tyson improvised a short, comedic song inspired by fans in the front row called “Chrysanthemum.” The details of this moment will be left behind lock and key for anyone not at the concert but just know it was one of the most obscene moments of the set and was a perfect way for the band to launch into "Sweat" after the moment wrapped up. The band also took time to acknowledge their recent appearance at Jonas Con, where they teased their upcoming role as special guests on the Jonas Brothers’ 20th Anniversary Summer Tour. The crowd cheered at the announcement, and Tyson grinned, saying, “We’ve officially joined the Jonas extended universe.” As the show neared its finale, The All-American Rejects rolled out a trifecta of hits—“Swing, Swing,” “It Ends Tonight,” and “Move Along”—each met with raucous applause and heartfelt singalongs. The encore, naturally, closed with “Gives You Hell,” sending the audience out into the casino with their voices hoarse and spirits high. Fans could be heard raving as they exited, calling it “everything I could have hoped for” and praising both the band and the intimate, high-energy setting. In the end, The All-American Rejects proved that they’re far from just a nostalgia act. With clever banter, emotional surprises, a killer setlist, and a brand-new single to boot, their performance at Parx Casino was a reminder that great bands don’t just survive the decades—they evolve, engage, and keep giving fans reasons to fall in love all over again.