The Vans Warped Tour helped cement many rock, hardcore, and especially pop-punk bands into music culture. Without this platform, many bands that fans love and cherish might never have achieved the reach or longevity they enjoy today. One of these bands is Mayday Parade, now celebrating 20 years as a band with their Three Cheers for 20 Years tour. Coming to the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA, they brought along Microwave, Grayscale, and Like Roses. This tour was a sampler platter of what the Warped Tour scene cultivated in the music world, and fans sold out the venue to show their appreciation for these bands.

Opening the night was Like Roses. Though they had the shortest time slot on the bill, they made the most of it, launching straight into blasting pop-punk beats. Vocalist and guitarist Amy Schmalkuche delivered a powerful performance, blending her singing technique with an almost crying scream that conveyed raw passion in every lyric. Guitarist Devin Zamora was a ball of chaos, making full use of the large House of Blues stage, frequently moving around and playing right up next to his bandmates. Bassist Kayla Gonzalez was a whirlwind, her long hair flying everywhere as she rocked out, holding down the low end alongside the drummer.

Though many in the crowd were likely hearing Like Roses for the first time, their songs—“Splenetic,” “Stuck,” “Broken Things (Lie to Me),” “Pretty Things,” “Dressed,” and “Easy”—had everyone rocking out. To the girl in the front row losing her absolute mind and singing every word with the band: you specifically made the night for Like Roses.

Up next was Grayscale, hailing from Philadelphia, PA, and they were here to set a mood. They began their set with minimal house lights, using only soft backlighting to create a glowing ambiance. Vocalist Collin Walsh has a bright, uplifting voice that carries a hopeful tone, even when singing about sorrowful topics. Guitarists Andrew Kyne and Dallas Molster complemented this with melodies that made you want to jump and cheer. Drummer Nick Veno was the ultimate timekeeper, laying down steady beats that kept the groove flowing.

As the lights fully illuminated the venue, the crowd knew it was time to let loose. Grayscale kept the energy high with songs like “The Hart,” “Kept Me Alive,” “Through the Landslide,” “Dirty Bombs,” “In Violet,” “Some Kind of Magic,” “Dance With Your Ghost,” “Fever Dream,” and “Not Afraid to Die.” I’d always heard of Grayscale, but seeing them live turned me into a fan. Their music was powerful and moving.

Next, it was time for Microwave. While I wasn’t familiar with them before, they quickly won me over. Opening with “Mirrors,” they showcased a sound that wasn’t just straightforward pop-punk but incorporated alt-rock and harder edges. Vocalist and guitarist Nathan Hardy floated effortlessly between passionate softness and gritty intensity, adding depth to the lyrics. Bassist Tyler Hill and drummer Tito Pittard locked in to create grooves that energized the crowd.

With inflatable mushrooms and a giant mirror setup behind them, Microwave turned the House of Blues into an Alice in Wonderland trip. Fans rocked out to songs like “Lighterless,” “Drown,” “Something Right,” “Straw Hat,” “Circling the Drain,” “Bored of Being Sad,” “Whimper,” “Trash Stains,” and “But Not Often.” It was during Microwave’s set that the first crowd surfers of the night appeared, barreling over the barricade while singing with all their energy.

Finally, it was time for the headliner. Before Mayday Parade took the stage, a video package played, highlighting their origins—from selling CDs in the parking lot at Warped Tour to playing the festival and eventually headlining their own shows. As the video ended, Mayday Parade opened with “By the Way.” Vocalist Derek Sanders began behind the piano, welcoming fans to the show before leaping to the front of the stage to soak in the crowd’s cheers.

Guitarists Alex Garcia and Brooks Betts, along with bassist Jeremy Lenzo, acted as the band’s hype men. While delivering technical precision on their instruments, they ran around the stage, engaging the crowd and keeping the energy high. Drummer Jake Bundrick kept the tempo driving with his high-energy double-kick patterns.

For their Three Cheers for 20 Years tour, Mayday Parade wanted to do something special. Instead of focusing solely on their biggest hits or their latest album, they crafted a setlist that included songs from every album and EP they’ve ever released. This tour was a heartfelt thank-you to the fans who’ve supported them through the years.

The setlist included songs like “Just Say You’re Not Into It,” “Three Cheers for Five Years,” “Jersey,” “I’d Hate to Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About,” “Anywhere but Here,” “Bruised and Scarred,” “Terrible Things,” “Oh Well, Oh Well,” “Stay,” “Ghosts,” “One of Them Will Destroy the Other,” “Never Sure,” “Piece of Your Heart,” “Heaven,” “One for the Rocks and One for the Scary,” “More Like a Crash,” “Pretty Good to Feel Something,” “One Man Drinking Games,” and the closer, “Jamie All Over.” It was truly the best of the best that Mayday Parade has to offer.

Every band brought high intensity, keeping the crowd jumping and rocking out all night. One odd aspect of the show, though, was the lack of a mosh pit—unusual for a pop-punk concert. Crowd surfers were also minimal. Perhaps father time is catching up with us elder emos. Regardless, the fans gave the bands all the energy they had, rocking out in place. Standing on the floor, you could still feel the venue shaking and rattling from how much people were jumping around.