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

Trivium and Jinjer bring the 'Ascend Above The Ashes Tour' to Lancaster

By Matt Christine • November 14, 2025
Trivium is back on the road in 2025 — and this time, they’ve brought Jinjer along for a blistering run across the U.S. on the “Ascend Above The Ashes Tour.” Over the last four years, the rock and metal world has seen a wild expansion of dream-team co-headlining and powerful support on tours, the kind fans never thought they’d see outside of wish lists. Rising metal powerhouse Jinjer has been in the international spotlight ever since they were forced to exit Slipknot’s 2022 tour to return home and support Ukraine’s war efforts. In the years since, they’ve become global ambassadors for both their country and the metal community. And even as the supporting act on this tour, the band was greeted by a massive turnout and a stage setup that matched their well-earned status in the scene. Their addition on this tour with Trivium was a match made in heaven (or hell) and a perfect compliment sonically. The band's 9 song setlist got the mosh pit moving and crowd surfers flowing ahead of the main event that evening. It may have been a Wednesday night , but you wouldn’t have known it based on the crowd’s energy leading up to Trivium’s 9:50 p.m. arrival. Pennsylvania showed once again why it has a reputation as one of the weirdest and yet strongest markets in the country for rock and metal. When the band’s massive stage slowly illuminated to reveal a dramatic backdrop, Trivium launched into their set with explosive force as strobes burst to blinding effects all around them. Trivium's 14 song set was a blistering pace of their greatest hits and new material that left little time for the band to chat with the crowd as they moved quickly from song to song. Frontman Matt Heafy nearly blended into the elaborate backdrop thanks to a jacket patterned almost identically, but he was impossible to miss as he tore across the stage from mic to mic, shredding through one technical assault after another. Much like Jinjer’s opening performance, Trivium delivered a razor-sharp, 80-minute set that pulled from across their expansive catalog. From the first crushing riff to the final crack of the snare, they gave Lancaster everything they had — and the packed pit gave it right back. Opening nights can often feel unpredictable, but Lancaster showed up ready, proving once again that this city doesn’t just attend shows — it sets the bar. If the rest of the “Ascend Above Ashes Tour” follows this lead, Trivium and Jinjer are in for one unforgettable run.

Taylor Acorn returns home to Pennsylvania at the Archer Music Hall

By Matt Christine • November 12, 2025
Taylor Acorn’s return to Pennsylvania to the Arrow at the Archer Music Hall in Allentown was a homecoming a long time coming after a massive year of touring and festival appearances. Just a few weeks after performing at the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas - and fresh off wrapping The Summer School Tour - Taylor Acorn returned to Pennsylvania with clear momentum behind her. Touring in support of her newly released LP, she arrived at The Arrow at the Archer in Allentown with a setlist shaped around this new chapter of her sound. The fresh material wasn’t just sprinkled into the night; it was the thread that held the entire show together. And while Acorn hasn’t forgotten her roots in the pop-punk world, it’s obvious that these newer songs give her a wider lane to move in and let her shine bright onstage. The Arrow itself proved to be an ideal setting. The room was full but comfortable, with that sweet spot where you can feel the crowd’s energy without fighting for space. Warm lighting and a clear sightline from almost anywhere in the venue helped create a sense of connection the moment Acorn stepped out. It didn’t take long for the entire place to settle into a rhythm—heads nodding, hands in the air, and plenty of voices shouting back the lines they knew. Between songs, Acorn kept the energy light and the banter genuine. She shared quick stories, poked fun at herself, and made it clear she appreciated being back in her home state. Nothing dragged, nothing felt overly rehearsed—it all stayed grounded in the good-natured vibe that filled the room. By the end of the night, The Arrow at the Archer felt less like a tour stop and more like a celebration of where Acorn is right now: an artist still rooted in the scene that raised her, but growing fast and sounding sharper than ever. The crowd felt it, the room carried it, and Acorn made sure everyone left buzzing. A strong show, a great space, and the kind of night that makes you want to catch her again before the tour moves on.

Kaleo bring the 'Mixed Emotions Tour' to from Iceland to Allentown

By Matt Christine • September 19, 2025
On September 16, 2025, Icelandic rockers KALEO brought their Mixed Emotions Tour to Allentown’s Archer Music Hall, with Quarters of Change and Júníus Meyvant on the bill.