The past shows I photographed have been very nostalgic and this show was no exception.  The first band wasn’t nostalgic to me in a sense that I’ve been listening to them for years, but nostalgic in a feel of music during the 50’s and 60’s.  What’s Eating Gilbert is Chad Gilbert, of New Found Glory, side band.  While New Found Glory is quite, Chad focuses on this band.  Not only does his band use the similar logo from That Thing You Do!, which is one of my favorite movies, but the band also dresses like the bands during the 50’s.  Every time I see photos of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Bill Haley and the Comets, etc, you see these well dressed musicians in small smoky rooms.  I think Maingate is a perfect place for What’s Eating Gilbert because it captures that feeling of what it would’ve been like during that time.  Not only the appearance, but the music is also close to that period, but with a little modern twist.  Playing original songs and a few covers, including “Pretty Women”, What’s Eating Gilbert is a band that will not only please you, but also your parents and grandparents.  The nostalgia is very prominent when this band plays.  I am kicking myself for missing them when they came through before.  Hopefully they come back through because I may have fallen for the music and maybe the keyboardist too.

http://whatseatinggilbert.com/

To end the night was Yellowcard playing in its entirety, Ocean Avenue since it is it’s 10 year anniversary.  The catch was it was going to be done acoustically.  I don’t know about everyone else, but for acoustic, this was done loud and with a lot of energy.  I was surprised by how well Yellowcard pulled this off with so much energy.  Like everyone else there, I remember when I first listened to Ocean Avenue, and how I played it so much.  Seeing Yellowcard perform this album was a big nostalgic trip for everyone including the band.  The band seemed very grateful for everyone being there and it showed in their performance.  There is something in a band’s performance that you can tell they are happy that their fans are there and Yellowcard definitely has that presence.  After Ocean Avenue the band left and came back on to play another set of songs, but this time all electric.  Towards the end Ryan Key mentioned that they are gearing up to write a new album which led into “Lights And Sounds” followed by a drum solo from drummer Longineu and a quick reprise of “Ocean Avenue.”  It was a special night for everyone attending, for Ocean Avenue has a big part in a lot of people’s hearts.  Yellowcard had their fair share of ups and downs, but I think this night and tour proved how important they are to their fans.

Farewell