The teaming up of Memphis May Fire and Yellowcard as co-headliners was a dream come true for each band, as well as quite a gift for their fans. Beginning the month-long tour on Sunday October 16th, the final stop came on Sunday, November 16th at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, featuring Emarosa as the main support act. With all three bands respectfully supporting new albums, they were ready to team up for the show of a lifetime on this closing night in front of a packed house.
To start off the night, spectators were treated to Emarosa from Lexington, Kentucky. After some significant changes, including the departure of vocalist Jonny Craig, the band returns to the road with something to prove, and they certainly gave a performance that will silence naysayers. Featuring new frontman Bradley Scott Warren, along with guitarist ER White, keyboardist Jordan Stewart, bassist Will Sowers, and touring members drummer Branden Morgan (Misery Signals), and guitarist Matthew Marcellus (formerly of This or the Apocalypse), Emarosa made the stage their own. Opening with a brand new track “People Like Me, We Just Don’t Play”, Warren jumped into the crowd and became one with the fans. Continuing on with tracks like “Mad,” “I’ll Just Wait,” and “Say Hello To The Bad Guy,” Warren created many memorable moments including singing from The Regency Ballroom balcony rail. Needless to say, this band had an amazing stage presence and undying energy that has only nourished during their break. Emarosa are back with a vengeance and their newest album Versus is out now.
Speaking of strong performances, Memphis May Fire, from Dallas, Texas, was up next and ready to set The Regency Ballroom stage on fire. With this being the final show on the tour, they seemed extremely determined to put on a performance that would remain with the audience for a long time. Displaying astounding theatrics, a mist of smoke poured out along with some amazing lighting that really set a mood complimenting the music. Featuring amazing vocals of both frontman Matty Mullins and guitarist Kellen McGregor, Memphis May Fire played their hearts out – dotting their setlist with classics such as “The Sinner,” “Miles Away,” and songs from the new album Unconditional, such as “No Ordinary Love,” and “Beneath the Skin.” Keeping things interesting, a surprise appearance came during the final song “Legacy” when Yellowcard came out playing along the last chorus, driving fans crazy and giving them a sneak peak of their set to follow. Memphis May Fire will return in a few short months on The Black Mass tour with Black Veil Brides, so gear up for more blistering performances by this ever-growing band.
Last and definitely not least, there was the long awaited Jacksonville, Florida band everyone knows as Yellowcard. With amazing performances from both Emarosa and Memphis May Fire earlier in the night, Yellowcard had everything in line to only take the night further. On the scene seventeen years and counting, this veteran band is led by Ryan Key (vocals/guitar), Sean Mackin (violin/vocals), Ryan Mendez (guitar/vocals), and Josh Portman (bass), along with touring drummer Tucker Rule of Thursday. With everyone on the edge of their seat awaiting Yellowcard’s arrival, the anticipation was just about to boil over.
The hour-long output was filled with hits such as “Lights and Sounds,” “Awakening”, crowd favorite “Ocean Avenue”, and songs such as “One Bedroom” from their new album, Lift a Sail. At the top of their game, not only with energy and a great sound, the band also had a powerful stage presence as well as an undeniable connection with the audience. Key and Mackin exchanged some extraordinary interactive moments with the fans, whether it was sharing in some personal struggles and triumphs through their years, to some goofing around to lighten the vibe. Keeping that delicate balance of emotion had everyone completely enthralled all set long.
The show, although co-headlined, felt more like friends doing what they love and finally getting the chance to sharing that with each other. Holding nothing back and equally sharing the stage for some collaborative and very unforgettable moments, more excitement came when Emarosa’s Warren joined Yellowcard for “Illuminate” while wearing a Captain America suit. Memphis May Fire’s Mullins also joined the band on-stage for “The Deepest Well,” reprising his role from the studio recording. All these moments and the joint slow dance for Yellowcard’s closing acoustic song “California,” was a fitting end to an impassioned evening. Make sure to not miss any of these acts when they hit the road again in the coming months of the new year.
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