Sad Summer Fest @ Mission Ballroom

Sad Summer Fest launched in 2019 and has been making emo kids dreams come true ever since. Sad Summer Fest was created to form a sense of nostalgia that our hearts ached when Warped Tour was canceled. From screaming at the top of our lungs to dancing until our knees hurt, Sad Summer Fest in Denver on July 16, 2024 was definitely a day to remember.

Review by Darby Snider

Like Roses

Like Roses has become a powerhouse to the emo/pop punk music scene since releasing their first EP Mountains Can’t Be Friends in 2016. This was my first time seeing them and I will definitely be seeing them again in the future. Their sound and energy were top tier, Like Roses definitely proved themselves to be a standout in the pop punk scene.

Daisy Grenade

Daisy Grenade blew the roof off with a high-energy pop punk extravaganza that had the crowd bouncing and screaming from start to finish. Each song delivered with the kind of passion that only a true punk band can bring. The audience was electric, diving into every chorus and fueling the band’s fire. Daisy Grenade didn’t just play a setlist; they threw a full-throttle party that left everyone buzzing.

The Summer Set

The Summer Set has been one of my all time favorite bands since I was 12, my best friend and I used to sing their songs in our parents cars until our adulthood when we’d sing along in our own. Seeing them for the first time was surreal and they put on one hell of a show. Everyone was singing along and dancing and had a smile on their face throughout the entire setlist, which is something you have to love about The Summer Set. My favorite song of theirs didn’t make the cut to the setlist so when they had their meet and greet at their merch tent, I told them I was bummed and they sang it to me right then and there. They’re a great group of individuals who love what they do and love their fans, 10/10.

Real Friends

Real Friends will always bring a show, let me tell you! Everyone in the crowd is in sync when it comes down to it, singing along to “I’ve Given Up on You” with 5,000 people, will forever feel like a fever dream. They continue to bring a special kind of talent and show us why we’re always listening.

Knuckle Puck

Knucklepuck is one of the best pop punk bands of all time, in myyyyyy book. Every fan in the room was moshing, crowd surfing, head banging, you name it. You can’t tell me you don’t listen to “Untitled” and it does not feel like the very first time you’ve heard it all over again. Every time I see them they just prove over and over again that they are one of the best with their powerful and raw energy.

We The Kings

If there was one band I was ready to see the most out of this innnnnnncredible lineup, it would be We the Kings. In 2007, during a Degrassi commercial break the “Skyway Avenue” music video started playing, & it has been stuck in my head since.

We The Kings delivered a high-energy, feel-good performance that reaffirmed their reputation as pop punk favorites. Their performance was extremely nostalgic to all of us fans in the crowd, from “Check Yes Juliet” to “We’ll Be A Dream to Say You Like Me”, We the Kings have always been known to release hit after hit. Their ability to blend nostalgia with fresh energy made for an absolutely perfect set.

The Wonder Years

The Wonder Years stayed true to their classic hits from their early albums with a mix of the new. Their set was reminiscent of their early days and brought an electric, nostalgic performance as always. The Wonder Years stayed true to their roots and gave the fans what they love to see.

The Maine

Ahhhh, the Maine! The main(e) orchestrator of this event. They’ve been performing together for 17 years and have gone through just about every state of life with their fans. They’ve created a special bond through their fandom over the years and continue to do so as they release new music. They always deliver unforgettable high-energy performances, and they didn’t stop at this one either. Their setlist was a mix of old nostalgic tunes and new sounds to get us excited for their newest era. Everyone was crowd surfing and dancing, drawing every fan in the room into every moment of the show. With a blooming combination of engaging stage presence and heartfelt lyrics, The Maine brought an exhilarating experience that left the crowd excited and appreciative of their continued dedication to their fans and their music.

Mayday Parade

Mayday Parade are pop-punk icons when it comes to the music industry. I remember listening to “A Lesson in Romantics” from front to back for years and years. Seeing them for the first time was nothing less than phenomenal. From the moment they took the stage, every fan in the crowd was screaming the lyrics in unison to every song they performed. Each song is filled with emotion, and you could see it in the audience. Closing out Sad Summer Fest with “Jamie All Over” was the cherry on top to the perfect day.