29-08-2011 Yellowcard

Supports: Radio Havanna; Venue: Batschkapp, Frankfurt (Germany)
By: Nina Mende

Sold out house today. I did not expect that since it had been five years since the band had played here in Frankfurt last. But here we were. The Batschkapp was packed and everybody was stoked to see their heroes: Yellowcard! Their new album “When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes” had just been released so it was about time for them to come back. Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre. They are best known for their songs “Ocean Avenue”, “Only One”, “Lights and Sounds”, and “Light Up the Sky”.

Before they entered the stage, Radio Havanna warmed up the audience for them. Radio Havanna is a German punk band from Berlin. Most of their songs were in German except for those that were written for social purposes to support organizations along with Anti Flag, Black Pacific and the Riverboat Gamblers. Radio Havanna had about thirty minutes to warm up the audience and they did a pretty good job. Jumping around on stage and playing their punk music to the audience the venue started to heat up. Not many people seemed to know Radio Havanna but they still went along to the music. Even if it was just to kill time until Yellowcard would enter the stage.

From cozy warm to steaming hot the venue had gotten right as Yellowcard entered the stage. The audience went insane. Some people got so excited that they almost passed out, some simply couldn’t bear the heat and bad air inside. Everyone was jumping, clapping and singing along with the guys. Yellowcard owned the stage. Each one of them tried to animate the audience to give just a little more. The violinist ran around on stage, climbed around to get closer to the audience and played to individuals. The music was fast and thriving. Catchy melodies made you go along and the bright tunes spread happiness. Yellowcard were simply amazing and empowering. As if the sun had suddenly risen and would be shining right at us inside the venue. All bad thoughts and feelings were chased outside to give room for positive vibes. Everyone was soaked in sweat already after a couple songs only. And they had a lot more to play. Yellowcard played old hits and new songs. They even played two acoustic songs. The audience sang along in such a unison and on pitch. Yellowcard was overwhelmed. It was a wonderful show of Yellowcard that went by way to fast. Even though they came back for an encore it was not enough. Yellowcard could have gone on forever. But they couldn’t. So let’s hope they’ll be back soon.