The sold-out Up Up Down Down Tour brought Yellowcard and New Found Glory to the Casino Ballroom for a nostalgia-filled night of fan favorites.
Summer is in full swing in New Hampshire. The signs are everywhere—families relaxing on Hampton Beach, shops and restaurants bustling along Ocean Boulevard, and perhaps the surest sign of all: tour buses lined up behind the Casino Ballroom as fans wrapped around the building, ready for a night of music, memories, and good times with friends.
Not even the severe storms and tornado warnings that swept across northern New England could keep fans away from the sold-out show featuring New Found Glory and Yellowcard. For nearly a century, the Casino Ballroom has hosted legendary performances and remains a staple of the New England concert scene. Its location in the heart of Hampton Beach makes it an easy destination for fans traveling from across New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and beyond, continuing its legacy as one of the region’s most beloved live music venues.
For many concertgoers, every visit to the Ballroom carries an extra layer of meaning these days. The venue is set to undergo a massive renovation after celebrating its 100th anniversary during the 2027 season. When the lights eventually go dark, the walls that have echoed with generations of memories and soundtracks of youth will give way to a new chapter. Fans know they’re witnessing the final years of a building that has meant so much to New England music lovers.
That sense of nostalgia was impossible to ignore as fans streamed through the doors. Merchandise lines stretched deep into the venue as concertgoers debated which shirt or hoodie would be coming home with them. Vintage-inspired designs and familiar logos transported fans back to the music that shaped their younger years. It was, after all, the Up Up Down Down Tour. Nintendo-inspired graphics, throwback MTV imagery, and Beavis and Butt-Head references were on full display, creating a merch experience that felt just as much a trip down memory lane as the music itself.
As the lights dimmed for the opening act, fans were met with a surprise. Brandon Reilly took the stage as a last-minute addition after I Am The Avalanche was forced to step away from the tour due to personal matters. Armed with only an acoustic guitar, Reilly delivered an intimate and heartfelt set, performing songs from his time with Nightmare of You and providing a fitting start to an evening built on nostalgia and connection.
Nightmare of You emerged from New York’s early-2000s indie and pop-punk scene, formed by Brandon Reilly following the breakup of The Movielife. While Reilly went on to create Nightmare of You, several of his former bandmates formed I Am The Avalanche, the band originally scheduled to open the show. It was a great example of the close-knit nature of the music community, with former bandmates and longtime friends supporting one another when an opportunity arose.
Armed with only an acoustic guitar, Reilly delivered stripped-down versions of songs from his catalog, offering a relaxed and intimate start to the evening. His acoustic set served as the perfect kickoff to a night built around nostalgia, giving early-arriving fans a chance to settle in and sing along before the energy level ramped up later in the evening.
The night kicked up a thousand notches as the stage traded a single acoustic guitar for electric guitars, thunderous drums, and the kind of energy that only New Found Glory can produce. The pop-punk veterans burst onto the stage and immediately had the sold-out Casino Ballroom singing, jumping, and reliving the songs that helped define a generation.Kicking the night into high gear, New Found Glory opened with “A Love Song” from their brand-new album Listen Up!, released on February 20, 2026. It’s been 6 years since the band has released a full length album and Listen Up! is the 11th full length album to drop for the band.
The newest album message embodies everything that is resilience and hope. In the almost 30 years that the band has been together since 1997, they have kept thier signature sound but as they have grown up, the angst that once was of a younger New Found Glory has been changed to reflections of life and the obstacles that they have faced over the years. Something that the fans since the very beginning when they related to things that young adults go through can now release the the very real feelings many have faced. Cancer being one of the heaviest.
Something that guitarist Chad Gilbert knows all to well. Gilbert has been fighting his own battle with an aggressive metastatic cancer since 2021. The guitarist played through with his band even after surgery upon surgery, leading up to the album release party, where it was discovered right after that he had to have brain surgery to remove tumors. It’s that kind of lived through experiences for yourself and the ones closest to you that change your outlook on life and you see things differently. That once angsty song about a girl (which we still loved and will scream at the top of our lungs) while relatable, have been transformed into the feelings and emotions that come from lived through moments of love, loss, grief and illness. New Found Glorys new album is one hundred percent the upbeat pop punk band we know and love, they have just lived some heavy life moments, while still singing about it. It’s extremely relatable and one reason why fans love them so much.
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that Gilbert was able to join his bandmates on stage at the Nashville show that happened on June 8th, 2026. His first appearance on since his surgery this year. It was such a special moment for all that were there, which included Gilbert’s own doctors and nurses in the crowd.
“Hit or Miss” off their 2000 self-titled album saw Jordan Pundik climb down from the stage and into the crowd. The energy inside the Casino Ballroom was already at an all-time high, but seeing him make his way along the barricade sent fans into a frenzy. That level of connection is what makes New Found Glory such a special live band. There’s eye contact, acknowledgment, and a genuine sense that the band sees every fan singing along to every word. It transforms the experience from just another concert into something far more meaningful—one of those moments fans will carry with them long after the lights come up.
The entire night was filled with singalongs as the crowd passionately belted out every word. From “Head on Collision” off 2002’s legendary Sticks and Stones to “Something I Call Personality” from 1999’s Nothing Gold Can Stay and “Failure’s Not Flattering” from 2006’s Coming Home, New Found Glory touched on nearly every chapter of their career. The set served as both a celebration of their past and a reminder of why their music continues to resonate, with fans embracing every second of the journey.
There were a few surprises sprinkled throughout the set as well. For the Disney kids who grew up in the late ’80s and ’90s, New Found Glory delivered a pop-punk rendition of “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid. It was a nostalgic nod to simpler times and one of those unexpected moments that had the entire room singing along. Whether you grew up wearing out your VHS copy of the movie or were hearing the song for the first time through a punk-rock lens, it was impossible not to get caught up in the fun.
The band also threw in another unexpected moment before launching into “Sincerely Me” from 2002’s Sticks and Stones. Jordan Pundik grabbed a bass guitar and the band broke into a snippet of Pennywise’s “Bro Hymn,” joking that it’s the kind of song guaranteed to get a crowd singing and moving no matter where it’s played. They weren’t wrong. The audience embraced it immediately, and after the band tried to move on, fans started the chant back up on their own. It was a fitting tribute to one of punk rock’s most influential bands and a reminder of the scene that helped shape New Found Glory’s sound and identity.
The set wrapped up with “My Friends Over You” off 2002’s Sticks and Stones. As soon as the opening notes hit, the Casino Ballroom erupted one final time. Crowd surfers poured over the barricade, mosh pits opened up across the floor, and hundreds of voices sang every word at the top of their lungs. It was the perfect ending to a night built on nostalgia, energy, and connection. More than two decades after its release, “My Friends Over You” remains one of New Found Glory’s defining songs, and judging by the reaction in Hampton Beach, it still has the power to unite an entire room.
New Found Glory embodies everything that makes the pop-punk scene so special. Their songs tackle relatable experiences, their performances are packed with relentless energy, and every lyric is delivered with passion and conviction. From the moment they step on stage until the final note rings out, there’s constant movement, interaction, and a genuine connection with the crowd. It’s the kind of performance that reminds you why live music matters.
Fans will have several more opportunities to catch New Found Glory throughout 2026, including appearances at Vans Warped Tour Mexico in September and Vans Warped Tour Orlando in November. If their Hampton Beach performance was any indication, they remain one of the genre’s most entertaining and engaging live acts, continuing to prove why they’ve been a staple of the pop-punk scene for more than two decades.
NEW FOUND GLORY HAMPTON BEACH CASINO BALLROOM SETLIST
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Money for Nothing(Dire Straits song)
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A Love Song
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Understatement
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Hit or Miss
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Head On Collision
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All Downhill From Here
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Hold My Hand(With Dave Knox on keyboards)
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Something I Call Personality
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Laugh It Off
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Dressed to Kill
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Failure’s Not Flattering(With Dave Knox on keyboards)
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Beer and Blood Stains
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Part of Your World(Alan Menken cover)
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Truth of My Youth
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Sincerely Me(Preceded by snippet of ‘Bro Hymn’ by Pennywise with Jordan on bass)
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My Friends Over You
Yellowcard closed out the sold-out show in the best way possible. Fully embracing the nostalgic theme of the Up Up Down Down Tour, the band kicked off their set with a playful nod to the pop culture many fans grew up with. A Ghostbuster and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man came running onto the stage, armed with a T-shirt cannon and instantly sending the crowd into a frenzy. As the larger-than-life character made his way back and forth across the stage launching shirts into the audience, fans cheered and scrambled for souvenirs, adding another layer of fun to an already electric atmosphere.
The nostalgic touches didn’t stop there. The drum kit featured the Yellowcard logo recreated in a classic Nintendo-inspired font, perfectly fitting the tour’s celebration of childhood memories and retro gaming culture. Combined with the colorful stage production and the excitement inside the Casino Ballroom, it created the perfect backdrop for a set that would have fans reliving some of their favorite musical memories.
Soon, the theme from Top Gun rang out through the speakers as the monitors flashed scenes from the iconic film. The crowd immediately recognized the familiar soundtrack and erupted in cheers. As the band made their way onto the stage, the cinematic intro seamlessly transitioned into “Better Days,” the title track from Yellowcard’s 2025 album. The combination of the nostalgic movie soundtrack and the band’s newest material perfectly captured what the night was all about—celebrating the past while embracing the future.
“Better Days” went on to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart in 2025, marking a remarkable milestone for the band nearly 22 years after “Way Away” first helped introduce Yellowcard to mainstream audiences. It’s a testament to the band’s staying power and continued relevance in a constantly evolving music landscape. After all these years, Yellowcard is still showing up, still creating music that resonates with fans, and still finding new ways to connect with audiences both old and new. Few bands from the early 2000s pop-punk boom can claim that kind of longevity, making Yellowcard’s continued success all the more impressive.
Yellowcard is the definition of vibrant, contagious energy. From the moment they take the stage, there’s an electricity that spreads throughout the crowd and never lets up. Their signature blend of pop-punk melodies, driving rhythms, and the unmistakable violin work of Sean Mackin creates a sound that is entirely their own. While countless bands have emerged from the pop-punk scene over the years, few have managed to carve out an identity as unique and recognizable as Yellowcard. The addition of Sean Mackin’s violin doesn’t just complement the music—it elevates it, adding emotion, texture, and a dynamic element that sets the band apart. It’s a formula that has stood the test of time and remains just as powerful live today as it was when fans first discovered the band more than two decades ago.
The night continued with “Way Away” off Ocean Avenue, the breakthrough album that propelled Yellowcard into the mainstream and eventually earned platinum certification. Released in 2003, Ocean Avenue became a defining record of the pop-punk era, and hearing “Way Away” live instantly transported fans back to those early 2000s summers. The song’s infectious energy, paired with Sean Mackin’s signature violin work, had the crowd singing along from the very first note.
The Casino Ballroom is considerably smaller than many of the venues the Up Up Down Down Tour has visited on this run, and Yellowcard leaned into that intimacy. Before transitioning into the acoustic portion of the set, Ryan Key paused to address the crowd, explaining that this was the point in the show where everyone was supposed to be hanging out in “MeeMaw’s basement.” He joked that at most stops on the tour the band rolls out couches, vintage posters, lava lamps, and even an additional drum kit to transform the stage into a nostalgic basement hangout. He explained that a lot of that stuff wouldn’t be coming out because of limited space, but made sure the fans knew they put out as much as they could.
The band took a moment to thank the fans, with Ryan Key expressing just how much their continued support means to Yellowcard. He spoke about the success of the band’s latest album, Better Days, noting that it has already produced two No. 1 singles and reaffirmed that none of it would be possible without the fans who have stuck with them throughout the years.
From there, the band dove back into the music with “Back Home” and “Empty Apartment” from 2003’s Ocean Avenue, while “Big Blue Eyes” showcased the band’s newest chapter from 2025’s Better Days. The mix of old and new highlighted just how far Yellowcard has come, seamlessly connecting the songs that first made fans fall in love with the band to the music they are creating today. The singalongs were deafening as the crowd embraced every word, proving that Yellowcard’s music continues to resonate across generations.
VIDEO FROM SPENDERS CONCERT VIDEOS
The night was one giant singalong filled with the songs that Yellowcard fans have loved and cherished for decades. “Only One” from Ocean Avenue was one of the evening’s standout moments, with the crowd matching Ryan Key’s volume as they belted out every word of the chorus. More than twenty years after its release, the song remains an anthem for so many fans who grew up with Yellowcard as the soundtrack to their lives.
It was the kind of moment that makes you stop and take it all in—the voices, the energy, and the shared connection between thousands of people singing the same words together. For a few minutes, nothing else mattered. It was nostalgic, emotional, and even a little healing, a reminder of the power music has to bring people together and transport us back to some of the most important moments of our lives.
VIDEO FROM SPENDERS CONCERT VIDEO
As the night came to a close, there was only one song left to give the fans. The moment felt even more special with the Casino Ballroom sitting just steps from Hampton Beach. Before launching into the final song of the night, the video screens flashed the iconic scene from The Karate Kid featuring Mr. Miyagi and Daniel LaRusso shouting “Banzai!”—another perfect nod to the nostalgic themes that ran throughout the evening. The crowd responded immediately, embracing one last trip back to the movies and memories of their youth.
With that, Yellowcard launched into “Ocean Avenue.” As the opening notes rang out through the sold-out Ballroom, thousands of voices joined together to sing every word. More than two decades after its release, the song remains the band’s defining anthem, and hearing it performed just steps from Hampton Beach made the moment feel even more fitting. It was the perfect ending to a night built on nostalgia, connection, and the music that has soundtracked so many lives.
VIDEO FROM SPENDERS CONCERT VIDEOS
The Up Up Down Down Tour may be coming to a close, but there are still plenty of opportunities to catch Yellowcard live in 2026. New England fans are especially in luck, with the band scheduled to perform at The Muse and Pizza Joint in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on August 10 and 11. If you missed their appearance at Vans Warped Tour in Washington, D.C., you’ll have another chance to see them just across the border at Vans Warped Tour Montreal on August 22. The band also has several East Coast dates remaining before heading overseas later in the year.
It was a night filled with the songs of our youth—songs that somehow make us feel young again while still speaking to who we’ve become. For a few hours, the sold-out Casino Ballroom was transformed into a time machine for the 80s and 90s kids in attendance, transporting us back to the days of Saturday morning cartoons, riding our bikes until the streetlights came on, renting movies from Blockbuster, and surviving on a steady diet of Fluffernutters and Dunkaroos. It was a celebration of nostalgia done right, reminding us that while the years may pass, the music that shaped us never really grows old.
YELLOWCARD HAMPTON BEACH CASINO BALLROOM SETLIST
1 TOP GUN
2. BETTER DAYS
3. WAY AWAY
4. FOR YOU AND YOUR DENIAL
5. ROUGH LANDING HOLLY
6.ALWAYS SUMMER
7.YOU BROKE ME TOO
Acoustic Set
8.BACK HOME
9.BIG BLUE EYES
10.EMPTY APARTMENT
11.FIVE BECOMES FOUR
12. LIGHTS AND SOUNDS
13,LIFT A SAIL
14. CITY OF ANGELS
15. BEATHING
16. ONLY ONE
17. BEDROOM POSTERS
18. OCEAN AVENUE
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NEW FOUND GLORY
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BRANDON REILLY
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HAMPTON BEACH CASINO BALLROOM
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