Story & photos by Linda Song
Gargoyle staff reporter
Posted Wednesday, May 10, 2006, The OG, arts

[Note: For Linda's May 4 gallery of Yellowcard concert photos, click here.]

Bodies are crushed up against the reinforced walls of the mosh pit, and fans gather around expectantly as the sound of guitars warming up roar over the dull rumble of a crowd.

Stoic bodyguards stand firmly in front of the stage area, and I find myself realizing that this is definitely different from any concert I've been to.

As the lights dim, I am nearly deafened by the screams from the mosh pit behind me. Shapes start moving on stage, taking their places. A chant is soon taken up: Yellowcard! Yellowcard! Yellowcard!

The headline performance starts with a bang. It's May 3 at the Assembly Hall, Day 16 of Yellowcard's Virgin College Mega Tour. The people who had been standing calmly and appreciatively for opening acts Mae and Over It are jumping and screaming, all singing the words to Yellowcard's songs as loud as they can.

I can understand why. This band is exciting. Lead singer Ryan Key is jumping on top of speakers and and belting out the lyrics to the band's songs. Sean Mackin is bounding and jumping around, skipping from band member to band member while somehow still maintaining control over his violin. They have energy, something the bands before didn't seem to exhibit much of. Plus, they know how to get a crowd involved.

Speaking of things that make Yellowcard stick out — I have to say, mad props to any punk rock band that has a violin playing in it. It gives the music a slightly different flavor.

As the concert goes on, most of the small crowd at the Assembly Hall stand up. Just about everyone is singing along now with the band. I only had a limited knowledge of Yellowcard before this and knew almost none of their lyrics, but at that moment, if I had known the lyrics, I certainly would have been among the people chanting along.

The music itself is enjoyable, though toward the end the constant forté of the music and vocals were beginning to become … old. Some variety in volume always makes music more interesting in my opinion.

As the concert goes on, the band members don't only play songs from their new album, “Lights and Sounds”; they also pull out some of their older songs (two of which I knew). For their finale, they perform their hit single “Ocean Avenue,” which I greatly appreciate.

All in all a good concert — and, in my opinion, a unique and good band.

[Note: For Yellowcard's video diary of the Assembly Hall performance, click here and go to “Tour Diaries,” then click “S-Z” for Virgin College Mega Tour Diary — Day 16.]