Sad Summer Fest is making a big splash again this year as it tours across the U.S. The lineup features a mix of Sad Summer veterans and newcomers, all delivering stellar performances! We caught up with the action at their recent Santa Ana, CA stop at The Observatory Orange County.
For the first time, Like Roses joined the festival. Hailing from the Bay Area, their fresh energy and classic emo sound were a hit. We eagerly anticipated their viral track “Easy,” and it definitely lived up to the hype. Following them, Daisy Grenade brought a burst of fun and upbeat energy, as their band members moved across the stage in sync with each others’ presence. The chemistry between the band and their audience — along with the fact that both bands are fronted by talented women — charged the performance with empowering energy.
In the realm of fellow impressive female talent, The Summer Set’s drummer Jess Bowen stood out as well. The band, a mainstay of Sad Summer, has been a fan favorite for years. Their setlist, filled with old MySpace anthems and later hits like “Figure Me Out,” continues to be a staple on our summer playlists and did not disappoint a crowd full of anticipating fans. As the temperature climbed, so did the excitement with Knuckle Puck taking the stage. Knuckle Puck have been an early 2010’s staple band in the pop punk community that have climbed in popularity over the past 13 years. Their performance sparked a surge of crowd surfing, with frontman Joe Taylor electrifying the audience. They are well-known for their vivacious shows full of jumps, thrashes, spins and more. The band delivered high-energy hits like “Gone,” “Want Me Around,” and “Untitled,” setting the stage for the equally enthusiastic Real Friends.
This was my first experience seeing Real Friends live — they truly cranked up the crowd immediately upon stepping onstage. Their set began softly but quickly turned into a high-octane series of tracks like “Me First,” “From The Outside,” and “I’ve Given Up On You.” They also delivered a fantastic cover of Jimmy Eat World’s “Sweetness.” Singer Cody Muraro engaged with fans as they surged toward the front, creating an intense, up-close experience for some of the band’s most diehard fans.
We The Kings also contributed a classic cover to their set, performing The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” alongside their hit “Check Yes Juliet.” With a stage decked out in inflatable aliens, the band’s party vibe was undeniable. Vocalist Travis Clark dedicated a sweet moment to his young daughter, whose dance moves were featured in the performance and recorded to show her in a fun “postcard from the road.” True to their reputation, We The Kings brought the fun with a nostalgic and bubbly set.
The Wonder Years from Philly kept the high energy rolling with their signature pop punk sound and lively stage presence. This band has an insanely dedicated fanbase — it is no surprise their popularity amongst later-2000s pop punk bands has risen to the top over the years. Hits like “Local Man Ruins Everything” and “Came Out Swinging” had fans reminiscing about our long lost Warped Tour days. Frontman Dan Campbell’s onstage presence and interaction with the crowd truly made their set a standout — also proving their prominence within the genre is still so relevant.
As the sun set, the festival’s most beloved band, The Maine, took the stage. As part of the founding team of Sad Summer Festival with their record label 8123,The Maine created a magical atmosphere dazzled with neon cowboy hats, rose decorations, and pink fog. Their set, introduced by ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” was filled with bangers we all know and love. The Maine’s strong connection with their audience shone through as they engaged with fans and invited one on stage to sing “Girls Do What They Want” — a tradition they have kept going for some time now. They wrapped up with dreamy hits like “Black Butterflies and Déjà Vu” and “Loved You A Little.”
Mayday Parade closed out the night with a fittingly nostalgic performance. Their set, marked by green and purple lights and a thick haze, featured a mix of songs from their extensive discography. Mayday Parade has a somewhat underground cult following that not many realize exists. With a dedicated fanbase like this, the crowd oozed support for the final headliners of Sad Summer. Lead singer Derek Sanders led the crowd through a memorable night under the night sky, ending with the much-anticipated “Jamie All Over.”
If you’re ready to embrace that late 2000s emo revival, be sure to catch Sad Summer Festival at a stop near you! Check out our gallery below as well as future dates to see where you can Make Emo Great Again.
SAD SUMMER FESTIVAL – JULY 13, 2024 – OBSERVATORY OC (SANTA ANA, CA)
