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YELLOWCARD
+ Motion City Soundtrack
+ Plain White Ts
@ Metro City, Perth,
2nd April 2025
(Live Review)

Review by Amy Smith

Photos (Adelaide, 4th April 2025) by Michael Selge (@oz.craftypics)

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Yellowcard, Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide, 4th April 2025 / Photo – @oz.craftypics@oz.craftypics

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Back in 2017 we all thought it was the end of Yellowcard as they headed around the country on a farewell tour. Well, unbelievably, they are here again in 2025, back stronger than ever!  Much to the excitement of elder emos and those with a penchant for the early 2000’s pop punk era, they are bringing along Motion City Soundtrack and Plain White T’s along for this ride, both of which have also not been in Australia for at least a decade! It was certainly mind boggling that this show was happening in 2025! Yellowcard’s front man Ryan Key kept yelling throughout the show, “Make it make sense!!!”. But boy, are we all glad that it WAS actually happening!

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Plain White T’s, Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide, 4th April 2025 / Photo – @oz.craftypics@oz.craftypics

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“It’s been a fucking long time since we’ve been here” proclaimed vocalist, Tom Higgenson. “Let’s make the most of it!”  Plain White T’s have finally returned to Australia for the first time since their appearance at Soundwave back in 2008. The Plain White T’s brought a positive aura with them and seemed genuinely happy to be here. This energy encouraged everyone to participate in the set, rather than just merely sit back and  view, giving the set life. The band had the crowd interacting from the the get go, with everyone in the house belting those ‘Whoa ohs’ from deep inside their chests. The band frequently interacted with attendees throughout their set. Prior to playing their most well known song Hey There Delilah they handed out friendship bracelets. “We’re all friends now, it’s official!” Tom asserted. A lone voice from the crowd cried “I want a guitar pick!” Tom gave in and made sure that the pick made it to the person who had made the request. Ending with Rhythm of Love felt like a perfect summation of their set.

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Motion City Soundtrack, Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide, 4th April 2025 / Photo – @oz.craftypics@oz.craftypics

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Also returning to our shores for the first time in a long time (2016), Motion City Soundtrack made their way to the stage with full force. For someone with an injury, frontman Justin Pierre sure was moving around a lot! The walking cane, that he had entered the stage with, was ditched mid set.  Using non verbal gestures akin to an orchestral conductor, he worked the crowd like a maestro when he wanted crowd participation, and we were all too happy to oblige. Despite whatever medical issues he had going on, he still gave his best tonight and was determined to finish the show. The band seem to be going through a tough spot right now. Guitarist Jake Carlson (who did a fantastic job of fitting right in), was filling in for Joshua Cain, who couldn’t be on this tour because of a death in the family.

“We all need to deal with hard things” said Justin “The best way I know how is by playing goofy songs about serious shit. Like this one” he continued before launching into A Lifeless Ordinary (Need a Little Help). It all got a bit too much for Justin who had to vacate the stage for a few minutes, leaving drummer Tony Thaxton to engage in some awkward banter with the crowd. Despite a few chaotic moments, the band finished their set on a high with fan favourite The Future Freaks Me Out.

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Yellowcard, Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide, 4th April 2025 / Photo – @oz.craftypics@oz.craftypics

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Yellowcard wasted no time in melting faces off,  opening with Way Away, Breathing and Believe from legendary album Ocean Avenue, an absolute staple of the early 2000’s pop punk scene. “Technically it’s been 22 years since Ocean Avenue” Vocalist Ryan Key explained. “But we haven’t been out to see you yet. So we are still celebrating its 20th birthday!” He laughed.

The band came out all guns blazing and that energy did not let up for the entire show. I’m sure if the drummer, Jimmy Brunkvist (from Like Torches), could move, he would also be using up every inch of the stage too. It must be said that, although everyone was high energy, it was violinist Sean Mackin absolutely ruling the freaking stage. He had quite a bit of air time and often visited Jimmy, to smash a cymbal with his bow.

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Yellowcard, Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide, 4th April 2025 / Photo – @oz.craftypics@oz.craftypics

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Allowing concert goers the space to connect with the music, there was no stage banter until the fifth song Fighting. From then on Ryan did spend some time giving backstories to a few of the songs and reflecting on their career as a band. He explained that the bands time together has not always been a fun one. Back Home, a song written early in their career, now feels like a premonition of how dark the journey was going to get. But that it’s also a reminder keep at it,  to keep fighting. Good thing they did or they may not be here today!

While the band acknowledge that a certain 13 song album, allowed them to keep touring and brought them back from what they genuinely thought was the end of Yellowcard, they are back and stronger than ever! The night certainly had a sense of nostalgia, but there was of also a sense of excitement about what was to come. Yellowcard gave us a taste of new material with the aptly named Better Days. This will feature on an upcoming album that they produced with Travis Barker. A milestone they admit they never could have dreamed of!

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Yellowcard, Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide, 4th April 2025 / Photo – @oz.craftypics@oz.craftypics

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“This is a really fucking fun show, there is a vibe tonight” Ryan professed. Absolutely no one in the building wanted it to leave. But, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. The night came to a conclusion with nostalgic favourites Only One and Ocean Avenue. “That was the encore if you didn’t know.” Key stated in the short break between the two songs. “We’re not going to leave the stage. That just wastes our time and yours!” This declaration was met with rapturous applause.

On multiple occasions throughout the night, all bands had proclaimed how great the first show of the Australian tour had been.

“A lot of times, the first show of the tour can be a fucking  nightmare, things don’t work and shit, but this is amazing!” Ryan had stated. The only nightmare experienced tonight was the huge traffic jam as the multiple levels of the venue converged as we all attempted to leave. “It’s like the bloody Kwinana freeway!” One disgruntled person yelled, which lightened the mood a little as we continued on our journey toward the one exit.

Here’s a challenge for you Eastern States – Work extra hard to top the Perth show- Show all these bands the love that they deserve. Good luck!

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Yellowcard, Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide, 4th April 2025 / Photo – @oz.craftypics@oz.craftypics

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Check out the full gallery of the Adelaide event (4th April 2025) by Michael Selge (@oz.craftypics) HERE

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Yellowcard, Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide, 4th April 2025 / Photo – @oz.craftypics@oz.craftypics

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AMNPLIFY – DB