GALLERY & REVIEW | Yellowcard by Jaz Wilkins - Brisbane, 2025

American pop-punk icons, Yellowcard, have recently graced multiple Australian stages with their Celebrating 20 Years of Ocean Avenue tour. Threading themselves into the teenage years of hundreds of thousands of people around the world with their breakout album Ocean Avenue, Yellowcard quickly became a household name within the ever growing pop-punk scene of the early 2000’s. Forming in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997 after each of the members met while attending Douglas Anderson School of Arts, Yellowcard have made history, cementing themselves as one of the biggest pop-punk bands of the 2000’s and becoming the soundtrack to the lives of numerous angsty, emo teens from the era. Now, two decades and two band breakups later, the group has re-emerged with a new sense of identity and creative flair. With a new, full-length album being produced by Blink182’s Travis Barker in the works, it’s safe to say that Yellowcard are back with a newly lit flame for music and are ready to further cement themselves in music history.

Sunday, April 13th was a warm night in the heart of Brisbane City with people walking up and down the bustling streets. The Fortitude Music Hall’s lineup for Yellowcard was growing by the minute with fans anxiously waiting for the doors to open. At 6:15pm, their prayers were answered as security opened the doors and allowed the attendees to flood into the venue, the undeniable buzz of excitement filling the air. Walking into the venue made you feel like you were stepping back in time, with fans at every corner donning clothing reminiscent of emo and alternative fashion from the mid-2000’s. As fans dispersed, it quickly became clear that this sold out show would be one of the most exciting performances that would ever grace the stage of The Fortitude Music Hall. As fans became packed in, the enthusiasm and anticipation permeated the room with those in attendance excited to relive the soundtracks of their youth, and others ready to discover the music live for the first time.

As the time grew near, the house lights dimmed and the audience cheered deafeningly while the members of Yellowcard trickled out onto the stage one by one. Before long, lead singer Ryan Key ran out from the left side of the stage and played the opening notes of their hit track Way Away. Without any hesitation, Yellowcard burst into a powerful set filled with a mixture of nostalgic tracks from their album Ocean Avenue, as well as sprinkling in a few tracks from other albums they’ve released throughout years. The opening tracks were a testament to Yellowcard’s powerful early 2000’s roots, a statement that their music hits just as hard and continues to resonate deeply with their fans, which was evident from the audience loudly screaming along to every lyric. The rest of the band member’s matched Ryan’s energy effortlessly, with violinist Sean Mackin leaped and spun across the stage with a contagious energy and a grin on his face that never once faltered. Sean made playing the violin look like a simple venture, playing with such ease and grace whilst adding textured layers to the music. The violin felt to be an embellishment to some songs, whilst becoming the core and heartbeat that brought other tracks on the setlist to life. 

As the night unfolded, Ryan took moments between songs to share unscripted reflections with the crowd. He spoke openly about the band's journey, the ups, the downs, the disagreements and artistic differences that, at times, tore them apart. His honesty only deepened the emotional connection between the band and the audience. When Ryan paused to say, "We really didn’t think we’d be able to tour together again, so thank you," the crowd erupted into a loud, heartfelt applause. It was a raw, human moment, highlighting how much this night meant not just to the fans but to the members of Yellowcard themselves. Despite the emotional weight of these moments, the group’s energy never faltered. The band blazed through a setlist that mixed deep cuts with fan favorites, balancing heavy, heartfelt moments with pure joy and nostalgia. Every member gave it their all, feeding off the electricity of the crowd and making every second feel alive. 

The climax of the night came with ‘Ocean Avenue’. As the first chords rang out, the entire venue exploded into a frenzy. It wasn’t just a song, it was a collective memory for everyone in attendance. Whether they had been there since the band's early days or had only recently discovered their music, every single person in the soon had their arms raised high and sang along like their lives depended on it, creating a moment so powerful it felt suspended in time, yet also felt like you had gone back to when the track first released. As each note boomed through the speakers, everyone in the audience had the collective experience of being pulled back into the body of your 15 year old self, screaming the lyrics in your bedroom while being told by their parents that ‘it’s just a phase’.  As the final notes bounced off of the walls and fans trickled out of the hall, it was evident that this night would be one for the books and will continue to be spoken about for weeks to come.

The night of April 13th wasn’t just about looking back. It was about honoring the music that helped shape so many lives, and about moving forward with the same passion and gratitude that brought Yellowcard back to the stage. As we gear up for a new full length album in 2025, it is clear that the group still has a lot to give and will have many more musical ventures to come. As fans poured out onto the Brisbane streets afterward, smiles wide and voices hoarse, it was clear: some things never lose their magic.

GALLERY: Yellowcard in Brisbane, 2025

All photos: © Jaz Wilkins