A Day to Remember’s concert in Chicago was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment the lights dimmed, the crowd was treated to a high-energy performance that left everyone buzzing with excitement. Jeremy McKinnon, their charismatic frontman, set the tone early by endlessly interacting with fans and photographers during the first three songs—”Sticks & Bricks,” “All I Want,” and “2nd Sucks“—showing his playful side and setting the stage for an unforgettable night.

The band’s setlist was a perfect blend of new hits and timeless classics, ensuring that fans of all eras had their moment. Each song came alive with a unique lighting design that matched the vibe of the ADTR era it represented. The visual spectacle was mesmerizing, with pyrotechnics and colorful lighting transforming the stage into a dynamic landscape.

One of the highlights of the night was when the band brought out someone dressed as Mario from Super Mario Bros to shoot T-shirts from a cannon, adding a fun, quirky twist that had everyone laughing and cheering. The atmosphere was electric, with fans moving and singing along to every song as they tried to secure one of the T-shirts being shot into the crowd.

The entire crowd had complete control in harmonizing for the iconic “bitch” ending in “Right Back at It Again.” The volume and enthusiasm from the audience were so overwhelming that it felt like a single, immense voice rising from the crowd. This moment was a testament to the deep connection and shared passion that ADTR inspires in their fans, turning the song into an anthem of unity and shared experience.

Jeremy took a break from the music to chat with the audience, “What the fuck is up, Chicago?” he screamed into the mic, engaging with the cameras for the big screens on the side of the stage, ensuring even those in the back felt included. He continued to chat with the audience, poking fun at the fact that for the past decade, people have been asking them to put “Violence” back in the setlist, despite the fact that they took it off because, in Jeremy’s words, “Every time we would play this song, everybody would just stare at us. And if you guys don’t know this, for musicians on stage, that is the death of a song. You said you wanted it, so bring it.”

He later reminded the crowd about an A Day to Remember concert ritual: a unique form of crowd surfing, encouraging fans to surf atop a fellow crowd surfer. His fun disclaimer—“Before we start, what I just told you to do is absolutely dangerous and you should not do it. But the way we look at it is, you paid good fucking money for these tickets, and who are we to get in the way of a good fucking time.”—perfectly capturing the night’s carefree spirit.

Jeremy introduced their new bassist, Bobby, highlighting his impressive accomplishment of learning every song for the tour. As a reward for his dedication, Bobby got the unique privilege of choosing the next song. The crowd erupted in cheers when he selected “Since U Been Gone.” Hearing the Pop Goes Punk version of the song in 2024 wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card, but it turned out to be the best surprise of the night (everyone say “thank you, Bobby”).

The nostalgia continued with “You Be Tails, I’ll Be Sonic,” featuring Sonic-themed visuals and sound effects along with blue and yellow lighting.

This tour could easily be described as ADTR’s version of the “Eras Tour.” The concert felt like a time capsule of the band’s music, revisiting classics while including new favorites. The night closed with “If It Means a Lot to You,” bringing everyone together for a heartfelt sing-along of the “la la las” that echoed through the crowd. Every single person uniting, creating a magical ending to an incredible show.

But the night didn’t end there. The crowd’s cheers for more brought the band back for an encore featuring “It’s Complicated” and “The Downfall of Us All,” surging the energy in the crowd once more.

As the final notes faded, Jeremy expressed his gratitude: “Thank you so fucking much, Chicago. Chicago always comes and shows us so much love, and tonight was no different.” The bond between A Day to Remember and their Chicago fans was undeniable, making this concert a night to remember.