Mayday Parade may have gotten their start selling EPs out of Warped Tour parking lots, but nearly two decades later, the Tallahassee, Florida, pop-punk stalwarts are bringing a career-spanning celebration to The Rooftop at Pier 17 on Wednesday.
The show, part of the band’s “Three Cheers for 20 Years” tour, marks a milestone in a journey that began with 2006’s self-released “Tales Told by Dead Friends” and has grown to include eight full-length albums, over 1.4 billion streams, and now, a new three-part album — the first installment, “Sweet,” dropped April 18.
The tour has so far inspired the kind of crowd connection that can only come with 20 years of doing what you love, said guitarist Brooks Betts.
“This tour was a lot of work. We have a lot in the set list, and we have more production than we’ve ever put together,” he told amNewYork Metro ahead of the band’s New York City stop. From LED screens to nostalgic and interactive visual elements and a rig that basically turned the band into computer programmers overnight, Betts didn’t shy away from calling the setup a “nightmare” — “but we got through it,” he said, and it’s already proven well worth it.
That attention to detail has been on full display at stops across the country — most recently, in Asbury, Park, New Jersey. The more-than-20-song set spans the band’s discography, blending fan-favorites like “Jamie All Over” and “Miserable at Best” with newer cuts off of “Sweet,” including the Knuckle Puck-backed “Who’s Laughing Now.”
The track showcases the band’s willingness to explore new territory without losing their roots — a balance that Betts said has always been central to their process.
“We always try to push the envelope a little bit,” he said. “We’ve got ballads — always have — but there are moments where we lean into something more pop or more punk. You don’t always know what direction a song’s going to go. It kind of controls you.”
That sense of creative freedom has fueled the band’s longevity, and it’s clear the audience at the “20 Years” shows — a mix of both longtime fans and fresh faces — is along for the ride. Despite fluctuating crowd energy from city to city, Betts said, the goal is the same: to create an atmosphere that honors the band’s past while celebrating the present.
“Pier 17 is such a cool venue. It’s one of my favorites now,” he said. “It feels so cool to be outside in the city with the view that you have. It’s a good fan experience.”
On this tour, the band lets their first two decades speak for themselves, with raw, early footage projected between songs — reminders of their roots and how far they’ve climbed.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long, but when you look back, it does,” Betts said. “When you look at [the old footage]…I guess it sinks in a different way.”
Off the road, Betts keeps his connection to music alive through one-on-one Zoom guitar lessons — a side gig that came together seemingly by chance and has become a surprisingly meaningful part of his routine.
“I really enjoy it,” he said, adding that after an airline accidentally destroyed his beloved guitar — forcing him to get it fixed at a local music shop whose owners asked if he’d consider teaching — he fell into something he now loves doing.
As Mayday Parade looks ahead to the next decade, Betts said he and his bandmates feel grateful for the opportunity to curate their most dynamic set yet.
“I like to think we’re a much better band these days, and we’ve got a lot of cool music to pull from,” he said. “So we’re lucky to be able to put together such a cool set based on eight albums and two EPs.”
For more information on this year’s Seaport Summer Concert Series at the Rooftop at Pier 17, visit rooftopatpier17.com. Those interested in guitar lessons with Betts can simply reach out to him on Instagram.
