Sunday’s tour stops by artists with new albums featured pop-punk’s All Time Low at GLC Live at 20 Monroe and singer-songwriter Josh Ritter at St. Cecilia. The recaps and photos at Local Spins.
‘Count Me In’: Fans embraced All Time Low’s set of classic hits and new tracks. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERIES OF ALL TIME LOW, JOSH RITTER
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
With GLC Live at 20 Monroe brimming with nostalgia, joy and sweat, Maryland’a All Time Low took the stage on Sunday night on tour behind its brand new album, “Everyone’s Talking!” and gave fans what they came for: high-energy, pop-punk power.
The weekend-ending, heavily produced and color-blocked show capped a night of frenetic energy that featured sets by three other spirited bands.
Atlanta-based punks The Paradox opened the show, and while newer to the scene, proved they know exactly how to hype the crowd for the evening in store — bantering and teasing the crowd about how bad their band was.
Meanwhile, the energy in the room skyrocketed with The Cab’s return to Grand Rapids for the first time since their hiatus (2015) and reconciliation (2025) as girls on hand jumped and screamed along.
Spirited Crowd: Sunday’s scene at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
And Mayday Parade made concertgoers feel like it was 2007 again. Celebrating 20 years as a band, the group performed favorites that had the crowd cheering and bouncing all over the place, closing their set with “Jamie All Over”.
A documentary-style video introduced All Time Low, with a voice narrating akin to a ’90s sitcom or game show, introducing the tour, the openers and all members of All Time Low.
Lead singer Alex Gaskarth entered the stage alone to perform “[cold open]”, the opening track of the new record, before the lights dimmed again and the stage emptied. When the lights came back up, the band had arrived on stage, signaling the launch of a set that gave fans a little bit of everything when it comes to production: pretty lights, fun visuals, and even some flailing inflatable tube men that made it a night to remember.
When the opening notes of “Something’s Gotta Give” hit through the speakers, Gaskarth urged everyone to find a “sturdy and willing partner” to carry them on their shoulders. In a wave, the height of the crowd nearly doubled as fans were hoisted onto shoulders and the chorus hit.
Exceptionally talkative, Gaskarth interacted with the audience on multiple occasions, and bantered with his bandmates between songs. He commented on a Pikachu in the crowd and shared, “It feels like we have a Disney actor in the crowd.”
Lead guitarist Jack Barakat, meanwhile, reflected on his times in Grand Rapids, noting “I could live here” in regards to how much he enjoyed spending time in the city. He then introduced a semi-acoustic cover of Cobra Starhip’s “Good Girls Go Bad.”
After an hour-and-a half dose of pop-punk verve, All Time Low closed the show with a fan favorite, “Dear Maria, Count Me In.” – By Chelsea Whitaker
JOSH RITTER AT ST. CECILIA MUSIC CENTER
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band: An ‘exuberant’ night of music. (Photo/Jeffrey Wilkinson)
Less than a mile away early Sunday evening, another touring artist with a new album was charming his audience in much different fashion in his return to Grand Rapids.
Singer-songwriter Josh Ritter, performing in support of “I Believe in You, My Honeydew,” immersed fans at St. Cecilia Music Center in his musical tales, with a boost from his Royal City Band after an opening set from the soulful Tré Burt.
Ritter’s 19-song set kicked off with “Monster Ballads” (from 2006’s “The Animal Years”) and closed during the encore with “The Throne,” which also wraps up the new studio album. The show included favorites such as “Kathleen” and “Miles Away,” as well as new tracks “You Won’t Dig My Grave,” “Wild Ways” and “Noah’s Children.”
“We were blown away by his lyrics and exuberant delivery,” said fan Christine Guzorek. “His heartfelt encore was extremely moving and the band was outstanding.”
PHOTO GALLERY: All Time Low, May Day Parade, The Cab, The Paradox
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
PHOTO GALLERY: Josh Ritter, Tré Burt at St. Cecilia Music Center
Photos by Jeffrey Wilkinson
