Yellowcard have long been a foundational cornerstone of the pop-punk and alternative scene. I remember first listening to the band in my early high school days, stumbling on an old track "Starstruck" from their not-then-released "One For The Kids" debut LP, and I never looked back.

Admittedly, I lost touch with the band a bit after "Lights and Sounds," as life would have it––and I went to their "last show" some 10+ years ago. What a thrill the band has been on, from their iconic singles hitting the radio and TRL to playing tour after tour.

Last night at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, the band leaned heavy into pure '90s nostalgia, aggressively. Seeing snippets of The Goonies, Ghostbusters, and the legendary Top Gun intro reminded all of us––this band has been here for a minute. Their newest record "Better Days" leans heavily into this mantra, and it's no secret the band has a soft spot for the early 90's.

Frontman Ryan Key has a commanding but friendly and approachable personality; what stood out most was how deeply humbling and grateful he was throughout the entire night. He took multiple opportunities between songs to constantly thank the crowd, explicitly acknowledging the decades of support to their diehard fanbase.

Musically, the setlist choice was a welcome surprise. While everyone always expects a heavy dose of Ocean Avenue, Yellowcard instead treated the audience to a deeper, more rewarding retrospective. The set leaned heavily into the albums that followed their breakthrough record, opening with "Better Days," the title track from their new record.

What amazed me most is the band's sheer dedication to pitch perfect vocals and backing harmonies, with Sean Mackin's violin skills nearly taking a backseat to his almost too perfect backing vocals. Harmonies, riffs, and drums were all on point. This band really knows what they're doing, and it shows. My only regret is that I haven't paid enough attention to some of their most recent releases; "Lift A Sail" was especially heartfelt and poetic. I really appreciated the stage change where they pulled out a few couches and the acoustic guitars and made it look like an 80's living room; it was a bit cheesy, but in the same way you might say "Stranger Things" was cheesy –– right on the nose.

The crowd was especially enthralled tonight, and I was dead center in the action of a pit filled with crowd surfing, circle pits, and generally ecstatic millennials; I even got a classic shower of beer from a friendly sweaty fan next to me. Satisfying as hell.

Few things are more exciting than watching a band woefully perform with ease, all while remaining so thoroughly connected to the people in front of them. Yellowcard delivered a performance that was equal parts high-energy rock show and a shared celebration of community. There’s little to no chance I'll miss the opportunity to see them again, and I really appreciate the band's appreciation for their fanbase, humility, and track record of putting out consistently solid music. Thanks Yellowcard, until next time.