Yellowcard Takes The Armory Back to Ocean Avenue

On Saturday I found myself transported back to the time of pop punk anthems ruling the airwaves, shaping the soundtrack to our 2000’s lives.

It was a nostalgic moment that marked the beginning of a remarkable evening – Yellowcard, live in concert, celebrating two decades since the release of their iconic album, Ocean Avenue.

Across thousands of devoted attendees, Yellowcard drew a full house with support from notable groups This Wild Life, Story Of The Year, and Mayday Parade.

The arena quickly filled from front to back, eager the relive the magic of days past.

Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Yellowcard burst onto the music scene in the late 90s, armed with their distinctive fusion of pop punk and alternative rock. 

After releasing the breakthrough album Ocean Avenue, in 2003, Yellowcard was catapulted into international fame and has since become a beloved cornerstone of pop punk music. 

With its infectious hooks, anthemic choruses, and introspective lyrics, the album resonated deeply with listeners worldwide, propelling Yellowcard into the hearts of millions.

Over the course of their illustrious career, Yellowcard has released a total of ten studio albums, including hits like ‘Lights and Sounds’ (2006) and ‘When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes’ (2011). 

Their unwavering dedication to their craft has resulted in the sale of over 3.5 million albums globally, a testament to the band’s enduring popularity and the unwavering loyalty of their fanbase.

Considering their history, it’s no surprise that Yellowcard sounded as great as ever.

Kicking off with a powerful rendition of one of my personal favorites, “Way Away,” the band remained true to the anniversary theme, captivating the audience with a setlist predominantly composed of tracks from the iconic Ocean Avenue album.

At one point it seemed as if the entire venue leapt off their feet, as the floor bounced and flexed under the pressure of 5000 screaming fans.

They’ve certainly come a long way since performing at the Varsity Theater in 2014.

Making their way through their setlist, Yellowcard took a brief pause before performing 3 encore songs – as if anyone expected them to skip “Ocean Avenue” on the Ocean Avenue tour.

Before their final sendoff, Ryan Key took a moment to address the crowd in a heartfelt expression of gratitude. It was an incredible moment to consider the (packed) Armory house came out, many for the first time, to relive the album 20 years after its debut.

He shared that the group has officially returned from retirement, and plans to continue performing as for as long as they have fans. It’s safe to say their days of retirement are “Way Away”.