Photos by: Abigail McNatt
Review by: Chris “Oberrated” Ober
You know the words, so sing along for me, baby. As we have so many times before, just like so many in attendance at this sold-out show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was a city holiday for all the emos and elder emos alike on May 20th, 2025—the day Mayday Parade brought their 20th anniversary tour to Pittsburgh. In tow, Mayday Parade had Like Roses, Grayscale, and Microwave along for the ride to rock out and create an unforgettable show.
Leading this merry emo parade was Bay Area’s own Like Roses. Lead singer Amy Schmalkuche made sure the band’s presence was felt with her grunge power and emotion-filled vocals—as well as that HAIR. With headbanging and jamming throughout their set, their hair was flying and energy soaring. A standout moment came during their fourth song, “Pretty Things,” when Amy asked the crowd if they were down to listen to “some sad shit.” I don’t know about y’all, but everyone, myself included, was so down—and the song ripped. Like Roses were the perfect opener for a celebration of emo music, and it’ll be sick to see them again in September at the Four Chord Music Festival.
Next up in the four-band lineup of sad bangers was a favorite of mine that I was looking forward to just as much as Mayday Parade—Grayscale. The Philadelphia natives were ready to rip the Stage AE stage only a day removed from doing a special impromptu show at Hazelwood Cafe. The Philly rock ‘n’ rollers played just about all of their best hits, which definitely pumped energy into the crowd, matching the output of frontman Collin Walsh. Again, I say Grayscale didn’t miss with their setlist, but I have to bring attention to their performance of my favorite song of theirs, “Fever Dream”, because this performance went off! You don’t want to miss a Grayscale performance because their energy is unmatched. With a perfect blend of high energy and emotional lyrics, Grayscale was a perfect piece added to this tour and night.
The band Microwave is the last of the openers before the main event that is Mayday Parade. Microwave is as cool as they come for what is going on a little over ten years now. Now that I think about it, Like Roses may have been the only band that directly resembles the lyrical energy of Mayday Parade—Grayscale and Microwave each bring such a distinct style that sets them apart from typical emo. With that said, Microwave brought about this almost psychedelic contemporary rock style to the sold out crowd and they ate it up. Their setlist consisted of every kind of rock song from your standard emo vibe to “move your ass” high energy to long-running instrumental jam sessions. Microwave gave their all—and the crowd gave it right back.
Lastly, this sold out show got exactly what they came for. 20 years. 20 long years of delivering music to make their legions of fans feel something. When they thought they were alone, Mayday Parade’s music was there. Now, the fans gathered on this rainy night in Pittsburgh were ready to scream along with the band they’ve loved for so long, powered by a setlist to make any emo’s heart full. Twenty-one songs representing two decades, from the earliest releases to a brand-new EP barely a month old, plus one extra special closer. This crowd came to sing, and for me, it may have been one of the loudest I’ve heard in a long time. The venue roared with every word, especially for the older songs that started it all. I mentioned earlier the differences among the bands in the lineup, but when it comes to the who’s who—Mayday Parade is one of the original emo staples that shaped the genre that raised us.
The life in this crowd never failed for even one second. Every word was sung, every soul in the venue was jamming, and everyone’s heart was full watching one of their favorite bands do their thing. As the night came to a close, Mayday Parade saved their pinnacle anthem, “Jamie All Over,” for last. I didn’t think the venue could get any louder—then that song started. I know “blew the roof off” is a cliché in concert reviews, but if one singalong could’ve done it, it was that one. The utter elation that could be felt in the air within Stage AE was electric and infectious. I for one have know idea how anyone in attendance could be done with the night after this performance, but if I do know one thing it’s that emo music is alive and well in 2025 as is Mayday Parade and their timeless feeling. I say three cheers for 20 years.
