Yellowcard Concert Review: The Southern Air Tour

FanBolt was in attendance at The House of Blues Sunset Strip on November 3rd for Yellowcard’s “Southern Air” tour.

Southern Air is their sixth studio full-length album lead by singer Ryan Key and with more than a decade of relentless touring since, it’s no denial that the Jacksonville rooted, now Los Angeles based pop-punk band possesses one of the most visually stimulating live shows.

Yellowcard kicked off the night with “Awakening,” a lively number with powerful, universal lyrics:

Bottoms up tonight I drink to you and I
’cause with the morning comes the rest of my life
And with this empty glass I will break the past
’cause with the morning I can open my eyes
I want this to be my awakening

The words are refreshing and hopeful, making complete sense as to why Yellowcard chose this particular track to set the theme for the rest of the set.

A memorable moment was the band’s “stripped down” cover of Mumford & Son’s “I Will Wait For You,” featuring a solo Ryan Key on acoustic and drummer Longineau “LP” Parsons pulsating a Cajon drum box.

In conjunction with an ample discography of acoustic versions of originals (See album(s) When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes) is what makes Yellowcard stand out from their musical peers—the ability to seamlessly transition from an electric, vigorous sound to simple, organic instrumentations while still capturing the ears and hearts of listeners.

A round of applause goes to violinist Sean Mackin, who Key not only credits with writing the band’s beautiful orchestral arrangements, but also is naturally the most animated of the band. A concertgoer commented, “He’s so cool. I love that he’s like the band’s unofficial cheerleader. Even when he’s not playing the violin, he’s still singing vocals or pumping up the crowd!”

Another highlight was “Here I Am Alive,” featuring guest vocals from Tay Jardine of fellow Hopeless Records labelmates and opening band We Are The In Crowd.

Yellowcard closed the curtains to, of course, “Ocean Avenue,” an upbeat summer anthem that propelled the band to mainstream audiences.

Musically, the band continues to deliver and the chemistry onstage seems to peak with every passing album. With a turmoil past behind them—band mate departures, Key’s risky vocal surgery, Mackin’s thyroid cancer diagnosis and two-year hiatus, it proves that Yellowcard is the kind of band that is making the most of second chances.

Yellowcard “Here I Am Alive” Official Music Video

Catch Yellowcard on the rest of their 2012 North American tour:

Nov. 16 – The Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 17 – Best Buy Theater, New York, NY
Nov. 18 – House of Blues, Boston, MA
Nov. 20 – House of Blues, Cleveland OH
Nov. 21 – Saint Andrews Hall, Detroit, MI
Nov. 23 – House of Blue, Chicago, IL
Nov. 24 – House of Blues, Chicago, IL
Nov. 25 – Pops, Sauget, IL
Nov. 27 – The Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO
Nov. 28 – The Complex, Salt Lake City, UT
Nov. 30 – The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
Dec. 1 – House of Blues , Anaheim, CA
Dec. 2 – House of Blues, San Diego, CA
Jan. 10 – Chameleon Club, Lancaster, PA
Jan. 12 – Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
Jan. 16 – Metropolis, Montreal, QC
Jan. 17 – Sound Academy, Toronto, ON
Jan. 18 – Orbit Room, Grand Rapids, MI
Jan. 21 – Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnepeg, MB
Jan. 23 – Union Hall, Edmonton, AB

By: J’Net Nguyen