Uncut Collective Media
Mayday Parade Deliver Cathartic Emo Energy and New Life with 'Sad' EP in Phoenix Return
October 26, 2025 • by Phyoe Thaung
If there were still any doubts about the staying power of Mayday Parade after two decades in the scene, their performance in Phoenix, Arizona on October 23, supporting scene legends All Time Low, made one thing abundantly clear: this band remains a cornerstone of emo culture. Fresh off their 20-year anniversary headlining tour and the release of their new EP Sweet, the Tallahassee legends hit the stage with fire in their veins and a setlist that blended nostalgia with urgent new emotion.
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From the moment they launched into tracks off Sad—their companion EP to Sweet—the energy inside the theatre was electric. Their ten-song set was a carefully curated journey through eras, a mix of uptempo anthems and emotionally heavy crowd favorites that kept the pit in motion from the jump. Waves of crowd surfers crashed forward with nearly every chorus, and within minutes, a full mosh pit had formed—something rarely seen during what many consider “emo ballad bands.” But that’s the thing about Mayday Parade: they have range. They can make you cry on one track and scream your lungs out on the next.
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This show marked my third time seeing Mayday Parade live this year alone, and the band somehow continues to reinvent their stage presence without losing the emotional pulse that defines them. Each performance comes with fresh energy and a reimagined setlist that keeps fans guessing. Hearing new songs like those from Sweet live added a revitalized edge to their catalog. The EP explores themes of longing, vulnerability, and quiet hopefulness—sentiments that seamlessly mixed with classics like “Oh Well, Oh Well” and “Miserable at Best,” creating a layered emotional experience for both longtime fans and new listeners.
What sets Mayday Parade apart isn’t just their music—it’s their connection to the crowd. Derek Sanders’ voice carries the weight of lived experience, and between songs, the band acknowledged the chaos of the world while offering their set as a safe space for release. There is something healing in their performances, a shared catharsis that passes between stage and audience like a pulse.
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As the final chords of “Jamie All Over” rang out, the venue erupted into absolute mayhem. It was almost impossible to hear Sanders over the crowd screaming every word of the 2007 emo staple—a moment that felt both nostalgic and timeless. By the end, sweat-drenched fans were still begging for more, proof that Mayday Parade isn’t just a touring band—they’re a movement that still matters.
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After twenty years, Mayday Parade remains not just relevant but urgent. With Sad, they’ve added another heartfelt chapter to their story, and judging by their grip on this Utah crowd, they are nowhere near finished. If this show is any indication of what the next era of Mayday Parade will be, consider me already in line for the next tour.
