News

ALL TIME LOW’S EVERYONE’S TALKING TOUR ROCKS CLEARWATER

Posted by Allison Davis
Share this post

with special guests: The Paradox , Four Year Strong Mayday Parade
by photojournalist Allison Davis

Saturday night brought a fantastic sneak preview of the enduring spirit of the Vans Warped Tour to the impressive BayCare Sound .The venue provided an excellent setting for a night that celebrated the dynamic range of the pop-punk sound.
The night featured a perfectly curated lineup of three openers before the headliner took the stage.

THE PARADOX (The Breakout Band)
The party was started immediately by The Paradox, an Atlanta-based group. As a band that only formed in 2024, their presence on this tour is a testament to their rapid ascent; their momentum is undeniable, backed by an enormous social media following of over 1 million followers on Instagram alone. They delivered a fresh, high-energy take on classic pop-punk, proving why this young, powerhouse group is the breakout act currently turning heads in the genre.

FOUR YEAR STRONG (The Powerhouse)
Up next was Four Year Strong, hailing from Worcester, Massachusetts. Their set brought a distinct shift in intensity. While their signature sound, a heavier blend of pop-punk and hardcore elements—strayed stylistically from the rest of the bill, the crowd’s energy was visibly revving up. Their delivery of chunky, riff-driven hooks successfully increased the excitement and anticipation. Both The Paradox and Four Year Strong commanded an impressive, dedicated following in the crowd, making their sets immensely enjoyable.

MAYDAY PARADE (The Homecoming Heart From Florida)
The emotional cornerstone of the night was delivered by Mayday Parade. The band, originating from Tallahassee, Florida, was truly right at home in the state. Singer Derek Sanders immediately turned up the heat, literally gracing the stage barefoot. With soaring, powerful tracks like “Black Cat” and “Piece of Your Heart,” fans were undeniably swept into the zone, you know, the one the undeniable magic that live music brings, especially when it features lyrics attached to the powerful memories of one’s life.

ALL TIME LOW (The Headlining Masterclass)
All Time Low, founded in Towson, Maryland, pushed the anticipation even further, kicking off their set with a charismatic introduction, making the audience feel like they were settling in on their living room sofas to watch their favorite TV show, with intro credits of each band, followed by the entrance to the stage was immediately vibrant, glowing with primary colors.
The band truly delivered a masterclass in engagement. Frontman Alex Gaskarth and the guys kept the crowd fully involved every step of the way, proving that while the music must be spot-on, crowd interaction can make or break a show. This was emphatically not the case tonight; this headliner knows how to connect. The guys took a short intermission and returned for “Part Two,” and eventually bringing the house down with “Monsters” and closing out their encore with “Dear Maria, Count Me In.” The latter was undoubtedly playing over and over in every fan’s head for the remainder of the night.

OVERALL REFLECTION:
All in all, the pop-punk sound never fails to remind us of the infectious energy of the early 2000s and the distinct style of the emo days. Nonetheless, whether fans were there from the very beginning or jumped on board later, the immense love and shared nostalgia for these bands were palpable in the air, resulting in a perfect Saturday night of live music.

Written by

Allison’s creative life is fundamentally fueled by music—a passion that has driven her since childhood. A transplant from the West Coast, she has called Florida home since 2011, where she manages a dedicated duality: co-operating a successful small beekeeping business while actively pursuing her art. Her love for music naturally merged with her craft in photography, initially leading to opportunities capturing promotional images for a local professional theatre (where she previously worked as a scenic painter). Her eclectic taste ranges from the raw energy of rock, punk, and hardcore to a surprising appreciation for the musical stylings of the 1940s and 50s. This lifelong musical influence finds its ultimate expression in concert photography, a dynamic and high-stakes craft where the constant creative and technical challenges provide a rewarding fuel for her passion.