American pop-punk band Mayday Parade rocked the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night, September 24, 2025, as part of their “Three Cheers for 20 Years” anniversary tour. It felt like a time machine back to the golden age of emo and pop-punk. The crowd turned the iconic venue into a sea of jumping bodies, loud choruses, and unfiltered nostalgia. This showed that the heartfelt anthems of the mid-2000s still hit just as hard in 2025.

Presented by PULP Live World, the concert marked the band’s biggest headline show in the country. Derek Sanders, the lead singer, and guitarists Alex Garcia and J.R. Wasilewski, bassist Mike Keel, and drummer Jake Bundrick didn’t waste any time getting into their hits. Derek walked onto the stage barefoot, which was a strange touch that made the night feel like a cozy jam session with old friends. His messy hair and easy smile were a reminder of why the band is still so popular: they are real, unpolished, and always relatable. The setlist started with the explosive songs “By the Way,” “Just Say You’re Not Into It,” “Three Cheers For Five Years,” and “Jersey.”

The song “Miserable at Best,” which has been on countless heartbreak playlists, brought the night to its emotional peak. When Sanders’ voice broke with emotion, the crowd turned into a choir, and their voices rose in a cathartic swell. As they sang, “I’ll be fine, I swear, I’m just gone beyond repair,” fans held hands with friends and cried. It was a moment that showed how magical Mayday Parade was: they could turn their own pain into a healing experience for everyone. For people who grew up with the band, it was like the years melted away and all that was left were the raw, unfiltered feelings of being 17 again: hopeful, heartbroken, and alive.

“I’ve been looking forward to playing here in Manila because I don’t think there’s anywhere in the world that sings as loudly as you guys do,” Sanders said, his voice full of warmth. “This song is called ‘Stay.'” The words hung in the air, and when the first notes of the 2011 hit song that fans loved came on, the crowd became one, swaying and singing lyrics that sounded like diary entries from the last decade.

The setlist took fans on a journey through time, with songs from Tales Told by Dead Friends to Sweet, each one a thread in the tapestry of their memories. People screamed along to “Bruised and Scarred,” “Terrible Things,”and swayed to “Oh Well, Oh Well,” but the last song of the night brought back memories. When the first riff of “Jamie All Over” started, the room turned into a sea of jumping bodies and outstretched hands. It was 2007 all over again, skinny jeans, and the carefree joy of being young. Fans sang until they lost their voices, and the lyrics were like a time capsule of summer crushes and late-night drives.

The last notes faded away, and Sanders waved goodbye, still barefoot and smiling. The fans stayed, not wanting to let go of the magic. Mayday Parade didn’t just play a show in Manila; they brought back memories of songs, nights, and feelings that would never fade. For those who were there, it was a night to remember, a memory to bring back when life gets too hard, and a guarantee that our youth’s songs would always have a place to call home.

As the last notes faded and Sanders waved goodbye, still barefoot and smiling, the crowd stayed, not wanting to let go of the magic. Mayday Parade didn’t just play a concert in Manila; they brought back a spark that reminded everyone that some songs, some nights, and some feelings never fade. For those who were there, it was a night to remember, a promise that the songs of our youth will always have a home, and a memory to hold on to when the world feels too heavy.

By Cent Bernardo

Special thanks to PULP Live World