Yellowcard & A Day To Remember at Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence MO (2025-10-29)

YELLOWCARD TOUR DATES

Of course it would be fun, but would it be Maximum Fun…?

Two of Florida’s biggest bands of the last couple decades, A Day To Remember and Yellowcard have joined co-headlining forces on their “Maximum Fun Tour” , which runs through November 22, and made an area stop, past the Stadium Complex, in Independence at the Cable Dahmer Arena.

It was supposed to be a four-band bill, including support from The Wonder Years and Dinosaur Pile-Up, but the latter band from Leeds, UK is still having issues finalizing their visa details, so hasn’t yet been allowed into the country, which is unfortunate (and a byproduct of our current times).

The band was supposed to be out in support of their fifth studio album, I’ve Felt Better (via their new label, Mascot Records) with the album title ironically summing up how we’re sure they’re feeling, sitting at home waiting.

The upside was a little more time for Pennsylvania alt pop-punk band The Wonder Years, who many in the crowd had come to see the most. The band’s last studio record was their seventh, 2022’s The Hum Goes On Forever, and the hum has gone on a while, but new music is promised soon.

In addition to old favorites, they did manage to work in a couple of more recent standalone singles- 2023’s “GODDAMNITALL” and last year’s “Year of the Vulture.”

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A Day To Remember had recently been in the area- just last June, when they headlined a big show at Azura Amphitheaterin Bonner Springs, and the faithful were ecstatic to be able to see them again so soon. The band is in support of new music, as their eighth studio album, Big Ole Album Vol. 1, was surprised released back in February.

The group played a full energetic set in front of a ‘Land of theLost’-looking version of their logo on a giant backdrop, beginning with 2009’s “The Downfall of Us All”. They even covered the title track to 1996’s Space Jam film (with inflatable basketballs bouncing about), then segued into their tribute to the greatest NBA player since Jordan, “Lebron”.

As a tip of the hat to their fellow Floridians on tour with them, they played a little of Yellowcard’s “Ocean Avenue” and the set built momentum and ended with some of their biggest hits, including 2009’s “If It Means a Lot to You” and “All Signs Point to Lauderdale” from the following year.

That final song is about the band’s need to leave their native Ocala and on a bigger scale, takes the relatable point of view of an outsider trapped in a situation that seems to lead nowhere. The band mentioned BigOle Album Vol. 2 is expected next year, with a supporting tour to follow, so the KC metro may see them again soon.

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Jacksonville punk pop band Yellowcard could be considered the veterans of this bill, having formed back in 1997 and still going strong (reuniting in 2022 after a five-year hiatus), with a new album, Better Days, released October 10 on their Better Noise Music label.

The new album was prefaced by the lead single and title track “Better Days” along with album track “honestly i”, both of which made it into the live set. The record is the band’s first full feature length album in almost a decade, and is produced by Travis Barker, who plays drums on every song. (no, he wasn’t there, but Blink-182 was just recently in KC).

A giant VHS tape with the band’s name and new album title on it, lit up the stage and a costumed character from the 1986 BMX bike cult film, “Rad” pedaled around, giving a further nostalgic feeling to the evening.

This feeling was more enhanced as guitarist RyanMendez, drummer Jimmy Brunkvist and violinist Sean Mackin, began the set with the “Top Gun Anthem” (co-written by Billy Idol’s guitarist Steve Stevens), with the rest of the band joining on 2003’s “Only One” from their breakthrough Ocean Avenue album, certified Platinum with its title track now certified 2 times platinum.

The 80’s movie clips peppered their set (and check their “Better Days” music video, set in a Blockbuster Video store with retro characters) as the sing-alongs with the crowd increased, notably on “Way Away”, “Light Up the Sky” and “Lights and Sounds”.

The new album’s title track looks to be another legacy hit for the band then the set, and the entire evening, hit an apex with the band’s biggest song, “Ocean Avenue” with everyone in the suburban arena, all singing and dancing along.

Fun? – check, but “Maximum Fun?” It could be argued that Yellowcard, A Day To Remember, and The Wonder Years, delivered on the promise.