It’s been 10 years since Florida band Mayday Parade released their debut album ‘A Lesson in Romantics,’ an album which to this day a whole host of bands could only dream of matching. It’s an album that stands the test of time exceptionally well, and for a lot of pop punk fans is the staple of their playlists. Fast forward a decade and an army of adoring fans have descended on Kentish Town’s O2 Forum to sing their hearts out, and maybe even have a little cry.
But before that the main support role falls on the shoulders of a much, much younger outfit. With Confidence, hailing all the way from Sydney, Australia, are here to defend pop punk and show that the future of the genre is in safe hands. Heralded as one of the best new bands around, it’s impossible not to see why this is the popular opinion.
With Confidence have an air of exuberance about them that quickly spreads throughout the crowd as they impart the infectious riffs and catchy as hell harmonies of tracks such as ‘Voldemort’ and ‘Archers’, all while having just as much as fun as the crowd. Jayden Seeley’s vocals are spot on throughout, even if at times the crowd give him more than a run for his money. All in all they provide a set which leaves us wondering just whether or not the crowd will have any voice left by the time Mayday Parade take to the stage.
And what comes next is everything we could have hoped for and more. From the opening line of ‘Jamie All Over,’ Mayday Parade remind us exactly why this album is so well loved, and why it still resonates so well in our emo hearts ten years on. Each track is delivered expertly and with the precision of a band who are not only experts at their craft but who also seem to still have the raw passion and intensity that they did recording this album all those years ago.
Throughout the set the crowd sing back every single word at the top of their lungs and bounce around until their knees can take no more. There’re no mosh pits; just good clean fun and the odd crowd surfer, but tonight is all about everyone coming together as one and collectively losing their voices. Sure, the set dwindles to a close as the band sign off with a few newer numbers once they’ve played ‘A Lesson in Romantics’, but everyone who was lucky enough to be here tonight will remember it for a long time to come. Mayday Parade are as relevant today as they were 10 years ago.
CHRISTOPHER LEE
