The Up, Up, Down, Down Tour 2026: Yellowcard, New Found Glory, Plain White T’s

Phantom Light Media
May 28
5 min read

I took another drive from Boise this weekend, westward to Bend, OR to cover the Up, Up, Down, Down Tour. It was stacked line up on a warm Saturday evening along the Deschutes River in the Mill District. Home to the Hayden Homes Amphitheater I would say this is one of the pretty venues I cover shows at. Last year I only covered one show here and it was Drop Kick Murphy's. Not straying too far out of genre, tonight Yellowcard, New Found Glory, and the Plain White T’s stopped in. Like I said it was stacked.

We had the Plain White T’s first. I grew up listening to them so I knew a handful of their songs. Opening the night with Feeling(more like) Myself. It was all I expected. I sat to the side and could see most of the stage. I didn't get credentials to photograph this band so I sat and observed for the time being before I needed to be back to the box office for a photo pass. It was nice to see them live and it was even better getting to hear and see “Hey there Delilah” get performed live. It really got the nostalgia flowing for the evening and got the crowd going strong for the next band.

Now if you have not seen New Found Glory live it is something else and well worth it to go and see them. This is my second time getting to photograph and see them. Last year was in Utah when they came through with The Offspring. Their stage design mimicked that of their most recent album “Listen Up” which wasn’t released yet. The set design tonight stayed inline the whole 90’s to early 2000’s theme with amps covered to look like TV’s back when they channels would stop broadcasting for the night and drum head the had NFG logo that was designed after MTV’s original logo. (Man I should have got their “Beavis and Butthead” shirt) Last time I had to photograph their show from the front of house. This time I got to shoot from the barricade and then cover from the rest of the venue. I have to say it was awesome. I already knew I was going to see them put on an amazing performance. The crowd interaction was at the same level. Except for the lead vocalist Jordan Pundik stayed on stage for the entire set. That stage is tall though and getting back on could be a bit of a walk.

Missing was Chad Gilbert who is fighting a hard fought battle with cancer. Touring with them is David Knox on rhythm guitar, and keys with Dan O’Konner filling in on lead guitar. David seems to live up by the drummer during the show. Dan can be seen running throughout the stage with Ian Grushka on the bass. Both have this immense energy that matches with Pundiks. There was a slow start to the crowd surfing during their set but it did eventually get started but it didn't seem like anyone wanted to get the pit started even though I'm pretty sure they called for it once or twice. Near the end of the set Pundik gave a crowd surfer a fist pound and I really appreciated the awareness and the positive interaction. He could have easily ignored it and let crowd management usher him back out of the barricade. To finish the night, why not play “My Friends Over You” everyone sang this song, I sang this song. If this kept up and I knew it would, my voice was going to be fried.

Yellow Card was one of those bands that I listened to but never knew the name of the band I listened to. I also had not done a deep dive into their music until a year ago. I may have been on my way to My Chemical Romance when “For You and Your Denial” came through my speakers. The violin intro had me hooked. They also played this third in their set and it made my entire night. There were so many other things, but this was the cherry on top for me.

They opened up their set with a quick skit with Stay Puft Marshmallow Man being chased by and chasing a ghostbuster as they shot and threw shirts out into the crowd. This wasn’t what really set the tone for me though. You know that one song that just gives you chills? Well they kicked off the night with one of mine. It was one of the most impressive covers of a song I have heard. When they played the “Top Gun Anthem” I was officially transported back to my childhood. On the video board (looked like an old TV) they had the original Nintendo “Top Gun” video game running in the background. I can still remember when I finally landed that damn jet on the carrier, and then I had to go home. All this nostalgia continued on throughout the performance.

One thing I was there to watch was Sean Mackin play the violin. Not only is he a great violinist, his presence on stage is probably the best I have seen from a violinist. Nah, It was the best. As for the other members of the band they all brought the energy, even midway through the set when the stage transformed into Meemaw's basement decorated with posters on the wall a smoldering ash tray. This was where Ryan Key talked about the past and the presence and thoughts on the future. A little about building a family and playing “Big Blue Eyes” off their most recent album “Better Days”. This was dedicated to Key’s son. Looking over this album and seeing the music video for the song “Better Days” the production and props make more sense. It’s all about better days. They performed their first number 1 song which is “Better Days” and I could see why it is number one. Running on the video board was images and clips on loop on things that are more memory then reality. The original Playstation, analog cameras, roller skating and roller blading. Things from my generation that I vividly remember and have very happy memories of. They finished with “Oceans Avenue”. Which, why not? This was the song where my voice was finally done.

I feel that the idea behind this tour, at least for me, was more than just celebrating their number one song “Better Days”. It was about remembering better days and letting the show take you back to them. From the moment Plain White T’s played “Hey There Delilah”, I saw New Found Glory’s set design, and the whole production of Yellow Card had me living in the past. Not living in a phone screen, but living in that moment. I was reminded of the things in my past that brought me joy and I found myself missing them. This was and absolutely top notch show from the start to the finish and will now forever live in the mental folder “Better Days”