Words & Photos by Brandy Jarmacz
Mayday Parade – Three Cheers for 20 Years Tour Finale
Saturday night, Mayday Parade wrapped up their Three Cheers for 20 Years Tour with a sold-out hometown show at The Moon in Tallahassee, Florida—a full-circle moment for the band.
The Moon, an iconic venue that’s been a cornerstone of the local music scene since 1985, provided the perfect backdrop. With its open floor plan, multiple bars, elevated VIP balconies, and—my personal favorite—disco balls, the venue buzzed with anticipation.
After high-energy sets from the opening acts—Like Roses, Grayscale, and Microwave—the crowd was ready for the main event. Two large LCD screens lit up, playing a nostalgic throwback interview featuring band members Derek, Alex, and Brooks chatting with Eric Blair during the 2008 Vans Warped Tour. They spoke about how surreal it was to be part of something they had idolized since their teenage years.
As the lights came up, Mayday Parade launched straight into their latest single, “By the Way,” before diving into early fan favorites like “Just Say You’re Not Into It” and “Three Cheers for Five Years.” The setlist was a thoughtful journey through their entire discography, complete with dynamic visuals and heartfelt storytelling.
Between songs, the band reminisced about their beginnings—just a group of kids jamming in a garage off Tennessee Street, not far from the venue. They shared memories of selling CDs out of a van while following the Warped Tour, reflecting on how far they’ve come and how much they’ve grown.
The crowd reached a fever pitch during “Miserable at Best.” While this song always hits hard at Mayday shows, the energy in the room that night was unmatched—every voice in the venue sang along in unison.
As they moved into tracks from their self-titled album, the band noted how pivotal that record was in their journey. It marked a turning point, both musically and personally, and may have been what ultimately kept them together.
Later in the evening, lead singer Derek kicked off his shoes “to get more comfortable” and took a heartfelt moment to thank the local music scene. He shouted out several bands by name and shared that while they had played The Moon before, this was their first time selling it out. He also mentioned that this was their biggest headlining tour to date. In a touching moment, he acknowledged the challenges of the world today and reminded everyone in the room—regardless of race, gender, religion, or political beliefs—to lead with kindness and empathy.
After a few tracks from their newest album, *Sweet*, the band closed the night with a rare performance of “One Man Drinking Games,” followed by the fan-favorite “Jamie All Over,” complete with a confetti-filled finale. It was a night full of nostalgia, gratitude, and celebration—a perfect tribute to two decades of Mayday Parade.
If you missed the Three Cheers tour, don’t worry you can catch them at Warped Tour, Summerfest or When We Were Young this summer, and believe me, you won’t be disappointed.
Side Note from a Fan:
As a longtime fan, getting to see Mayday Parade in their hometown was such a special experience. The road trip from Orlando to Tallahassee added to the magic—we passed through Ocala and eventually cruised down Monroe Street, the very place where the band used to watch parades go by. That street, of course, helped inspire the name Mayday Parade, which made the moment feel even more full-circle for me.
On the way out of town, we made a quick detour through “Sunnyland” and went to check out the area where the old, abandoned Sunland hospital once stood—a place the band used to explore in their early days. And I couldn’t help but laugh when I spotted a giant Black Cat Fireworks billboard off I-10 on the drive back. It was one of those little moments that made the whole trip feel like a personal Easter egg hunt.
