If there’s one thing Mayday Parade has proven after 20 years, it’s that nostalgia and growth aren’t mutually exclusive. Their May 21 stop at Toronto’s History was more than just a celebration of longevity—it was a love letter to fans who’ve stuck with them through every chorus, lineup change, and lyric scrawled on a notebook page. It was a masterclass in nostalgia and connection. The show kicked off with archival Warped Tour footage, including a clip later in the set of guitarist Brooks Betts famously shrugging off the idea of playing music into his 40s—a moment that landed with a laugh, as he’s set to turn 41 in June. The band launched into By the Way from their latest album Sweet before transporting fans back to their 2006 EP Tales Told By Dead Friends with Just Say You’re Not Into It and Three Cheers for Five Years, featuring a surprise guest spot from Collin Walsh of Grayscale. It was one of several heartfelt cameos that reinforced the night’s recurring theme: this scene isn’t just about music, it’s about community.
From there, the show unfolded like a carefully curated timeline of the band’s evolution. Crowd-pleasers like Jersey and Miserable at Best sparked massive singalongs, while a stripped-down performance of Terrible Things from the Valdosta EP brought raw emotion, with Derek Sanders alone at the piano as the crowd illuminated the venue with phone lights. These moments struck a balance between high energy and heartfelt nostalgia.
The middle of the set was dedicated to their self-titled record, which Derek called his personal favorite due to the band’s independence and creative freedom during its making. The passion behind songs like Oh Well, Oh Well and Stay radiated from both the band and the crowd, with bright lyric graphics and well-timed smoke bursts amplifying the energy in the room. That connection deepened when Derek, acoustic guitar in hand, introduced Piece of Your Heart with a heartfelt message about kindness and inclusivity—reminding everyone that, beyond the music, Mayday Parade has always been about making space for everyone.
Special guests from their tourmates brought added dimension to the night. Amy Schmalkuche from Like Roses helped ignite One of Them Will Destroy the Other, while Microwave’s Nathan Hardy lent his voice to the energetic Who’s Laughing Now. A playful video skit featuring moustaches teed up More Like a Crash, blending fun and emotional weight. By the time the band reached the back end of the set—closing out the main portion with more tracks from Sweet—it felt like a full-circle celebration of their catalog and journey.
Rather than exiting the stage, Mayday Parade blurred the line between set and encore, seamlessly transitioning into One Man Drinking Games, a track they rarely perform live. Finally, confetti rained down over the crowd during Jamie All Over, ending the show on a high that was both triumphant and bittersweet. As chants for one more song filled the venue, the house lights flicked on, signaling the end of an emotional ride. A rainy Toronto night couldn’t dampen the feeling—after 20 years, Mayday Parade has proven their staying power comes from more than just great songs. It’s their consistency, sincerity, and the bond they’ve built with fans that will keep them going strong for years to come.
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