A Day To Remember brought their “Maximum Fun” tour to the EFCU Amphitheater in Syracuse on Wednesday, September 10th, giving the fans a night of pure excitement and nostalgia. The energy was electric the moment gates opened. Lakeview has that warm outdoor vibe during the late summer with a slight chill in the air, which made arriving early feel like part of the experience, not just waiting.
People weren’t just lining up to see a band, they were there to reconnect with something that’s been sound-tracking their lives for years. Band shirts worn soft and faded, DIY patches, and kids there with parents. Couples with matching merch and strangers complimenting each other made it apparent that everyone was there for the same reason, to feel something loud and real.
Kicking off the night was Boundaries, the metal-core band from Connecticut. They commanded the stage from the get-go with heavy, brutal, and aggressive sound. Lyrically they touched on emotional pain, mental struggle, and loss. Lead singer Matt McDougal drew the crowds attention from the start with his heavy yet intriguing style. Their song “Easily Erased” resonated with fans as they seemed to know every word. As the band closed out their set thanking the Syracuse fans, the crowd grew larger as it was obvious they were in for a treat for the rest of the night.
Following their set was pop-punk band State Champs. Frontman Derek DiScanio greeted the excited Syracuse crowd announcing that this was a special show for the band as their hometown was in Albany, New York just a few hours away. The band was welcomed with cheers from the crowd, familiar with their music. Songs like “Everybody But You,” and “Elevated,” set the tone for their unique yet punchy style. Their pop-punk genre intertwines with energetic melodies, catchy hooks, vocal harmonies, and emotionally driven lyrics. The band ended their set with everyone singing along to their popular song “Secrets.”
Following State Champs was pop-punk band Yellowcard. Fans went crazy as the band entered the stage, opening with a rendition of the well known “Top Gun Anthem.” The band was flawless from the start. The vocal range and persona of lead singer Ryan Key kept fans engaged throughout. Songs like “Only One,” and “Breathing,” showed just why the band has been a staple for pop-punk fans for over two decades. Their high energy performance had the pit area going crazy, jumping up and down with excitement, and high-fiving each other to the beat. The band finished their set with their hit “Ocean Avenue,” after announcing that their new album “Better Days” will be released on October 10th.
As Yellowcard’s set concluded, more fans packed in the Amphitheater as the highly anticipated A Day To Remember would soon take the stage. Lights went dark as fans screamed at the top of their lungs with excitement. Jeremy McKinnon stepped out into the spotlight, and in a single motion, nearly 15,000 people lost their minds. When the opening notes of “The Downfall Of Us All” hit, it felt like the venue itself was shaking. The pit area went insane with jumping and head-banging energy. Even people in the back lawn who had stayed calm most of the night jumped like they were in the front row. That iconic “Da-da-da-da-da-da-da” chant wasn’t just a welcoming for fans, it was the eruption they had all been waiting for. The crowd was glued to the stage as the Florida natives unleashed a high energy performance that showed why they have developed their reputation as one of the most popular metal-core bands to exist.
During their song “Lebron,” giant basketball hoops were wheeled out on stage as the band threw basketball shaped beach balls into the crowd and encouraged everyone to try to score on the hoops. This added a surprising yet fun mix to their set. The crowd was electric from start to finish. Moshing, sing‑alongs, crowd surfing, the usual for ADTR, but there was something extra, maybe because the lineup was stacked, or because people had been waiting for this tour. Moments of quiet too, like pauses for lyric cries or when the band dropped into melodic bits, and you could hear thousands of voices take over. This was more than just a nostalgic show. A Day To Remember appears to be in a strong state, still delivering raw, aggressive energy, still able to bring out the emotional punch, and still experimenting just enough to keep things fresh, but not so much that longtime fans feel left behind.
A Day to Remember didn’t just play a show they crafted an experience, a chaotic journey where breakdowns met singalongs and every heart in the venue beat in rhythm with the drums. Walking away with shoes scuffed and ears ringing, it felt less like leaving a concert and more like waking up from the best kind of dream; loud, messy, and absolutely alive.
The band continues their tour with a show in Camden, New Jersey on September 11th, followed by performances in Virginia and North Carolina.
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