Music
Review
Mayday Parade transcend the regeneration of emo
'Tracks like Jersey and Miserable At Best still leave a giant lump in your throat'
As we relish in the roar of a sold out Arrow On Swanston, it dawns on us that Mayday Parade are just as popular today as they were in 2007.
Back in Australia with a cause for celebration, Florida’s Mayday Parade are marking the 10 year anniversary of their synonymous debut album, A Lesson In Romantics.
Tonight’s second Melbourne show is rammed with fans who probably didn’t own a CD player when the record was released but that doesn’t stop them exhaling every lyric like it’s the only one they’ve ever heard.
Despite the album being drenched in the glorious cliches of MySpace-era emo, the songs still resonate with fans today.
“Let’s all come back in another 10 years to do this again,” says singer Derek Sanders, and with tracks like Jersey and Miserable At Best leaving a giant lump in your throat, it feels possible.
Still glowing with the success of the 10-year-old record, Mayday Parade dance in time with the room, making it even easier to reminisce during fan favourites like Jamie All Over and Black Cat.
Of course, the true importance of any anniversary show for fans means hearing album tracks that never make the usual setlist.
Tonight, it’s Take This To Heart and Champagne’s For Celebrating (I’ll Have A Martini) that have hardcore followers off their feet.
As the final notes of You Be The Anchor That Keeps My Feet On The Ground… ring out, an encore continues with even more hits from Mayday’s back catalogue. This then, in case you needed it, is proof that the band’s career definitely didn’t end with the scene success of their debut offering.
