The UK’s Trash Boat opened the night with their brand of heavy pop punk. Grateful to be on their first visit to Boston, they primed the crowd up all three nights supporting last summer’s full-length début Nothing I Write You Can Change What You’ve Been Through.
It has been 20 years since New Found Glory recorded their first EP [It’s All About the Girls] while there have been a few changes, like dropping the A from the beginning of their name early on in their career and then losing founding member Steve Klein in 2013, one thing is constant they can entertain a sold out room for three nights in a row. Before the tour began they had announced they were going to play their full prior to 2009 albums. Friday/finale night in Boston 2004’s Catalyst and 1999’s Nothing Gold Can Stay was on the docket. Arguably the night some of the more hardcore fans would have been attending due to the rarity of some of the tunes.
The band did not disappoint and powered through the set that consisted of 20+ songs between the two albums. Even while missing a second guitar player it was never fully a distraction even on the older songs. The guys never take themselves too seriously and have a blast like it was their first show and not their third in a row. They also haven’t forgotten their roots, mentioning how good Boston had been to them through the years especially in the early days. Right before playing “Intro” from Catalyst they mentioned it was their tribute to Boston’s hardcore band Ten Yard Fight. They kept the set fun and interesting and never got bored with it. Definitely, a fun tour to see. If you’re a fan of pop-punk this is definitely not a tour to miss if it’s coming to a city near you!
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY MATT LAMBERT