Yellowcard was an American pop punk band that was formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997. The band is best known for its singles “Ocean Avenue”, “Only One”, and “Lights and Sounds”. Yellowcard released ten studio albums over the course of its career before going on indefinite hiatus in 2017. At the height of its popularity in the early to mid 2000s, Yellowcard toured extensively and played shows around the world. Since going on hiatus in 2017, Yellowcard has not played any live shows or toured. Fans have been eager to know if Yellowcard will ever get back together and go on tour again.
Brief History of Yellowcard
Yellowcard was formed in 1997 by Ben Harper, Warren Cooke, and Peter Mosely while they were still in high school. The band went through several lineup changes in the early years, with Sean Mackin joining in 1998 on violin and Ryan Key joining in 2000 as lead vocalist. In 2001, Yellowcard signed with Capitol Records and released its first major label album, One for the Kids. The band began gaining mainstream popularity and recognition with the release of its 2003 album Ocean Avenue, which featured the hit single of the same name. “Ocean Avenue” peaked at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album also featured the singles “Way Away” and “Only One”. Ocean Avenue sold over 1 million copies in the United States alone and thrust Yellowcard into the mainstream.
Over the next decade, Yellowcard released several more albums including Lights and Sounds (2006), Paper Walls (2007), When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes (2011), and Southern Air (2012). While these albums did not match the major commercial success of Ocean Avenue, they produced popular singles like “Lights and Sounds”, “Light Up the Sky”, and “Always Summer”. Yellowcard remained a staple of the pop punk scene, touring worldwide and performing on festivals like Warped Tour.
Hiatus Beginning in 2017
In 2014, longtime guitarist Ryan Mendez left the band and Yellowcard brought in guitarist Nate Young. In June 2016, Yellowcard announced that it would be breaking up after a final tour and the release of a self-titled album. Yellowcard played its final show on March 25, 2017 and officially went on an indefinite hiatus. In a statement, the band said that its decision to go on hiatus was “for a number of reasons, but mostly to pursue other endeavors and spend more time with our families.”
Since going on hiatus in 2017, the members of Yellowcard have focused on other musical projects and endeavors outside of the band. Lead singer Ryan Key has been working on solo material, while violinist Sean Mackin has done songwriting and session work. Drummer Longineu Parsons plays drums for Welshly Arms and guitarist Nate Young started a band called Young Culture. Bassist Josh Portman left music to pursue a career outside of the industry.
Possibility of Reunion/Tour?
Ever since Yellowcard announced its hiatus in 2016, fans have been wondering if the band will ever get back together and tour again. As of now, nearly 6 years after the hiatus began, there has been no indication from the band members that a Yellowcard reunion or tour is going to happen. However, the possibility can’t be ruled out completely. Here are some factors that weigh for and against a potential Yellowcard reunion down the road:
Arguments For Reunion/Tour
- Several band members, in particular Ryan Key, have said the door is “never closed” on a reunion.
- Most of the core members are still actively involved in music and performance.
- Yellowcard enjoyed a fairly successful reunion/tour in 2011 after a 2 year hiatus.
- Pop punk nostalgia is increasingly popular – bands like Paramore and My Chemical Romance have reunited to great success.
- Many hugely successful bands like Blink-182 have gotten back together after long hiatuses.
Arguments Against Reunion Tour
- Some members have moved on from music as a career.
- It has already been several years since the hiatus began.
- Yellowcard released a “farewell” album and did a goodbye tour in 2016-2017.
- Ryan Key and Sean Mackin have active solo careers.
- Pop punk doesn’t have the same mainstream popularity today.
Analysis of Reunion Potential
While there are certainly arguments on both sides, based on Yellowcard’s history and the band members’ own words, a reunion at some point in the future seems definitely possible. The fact that they previously reunited back in 2010 after going on hiatus in 2008 demonstrates that time apart doesn’t close the door. Several key members like Ryan Key and Sean Mackin also appearing open to playing together again when the time is right.
The biggest obstacle is simply that some members like Josh Portman have moved on from the music industry, so they may be unwilling or unable to commit to Yellowcard as a full time endeavor again. But considering most of the band is still actively performing in some capacity, it’s plausible they could make time for selective Yellowcard shows or tours, similar to other bands who have reunited for limited runs. It wouldn’t necessarily require them to record new music or even tour for months on end.
Analyzing Reunion Timeline
Looking at other bands that have reunited gives a sense of plausible timelines for a potential Yellowcard reunion:
- Blink-182 – First reunion in 2009, 6 years after hiatus. Second reunion in 2019, 5 years after 2nd hiatus.
- My Chemical Romance – Reunited in 2019 after 6 year hiatus.
- New Found Glory – Have reunited multiple times after hiatuses of 2-5 years.
Based on these examples, most band reunions happen somewhere between 2-6 years after an extended hiatus or breakup.
For Yellowcard, that would suggest a potential reunion sometime between 2022-2026.
The band’s previous reunion in 2010 was around 2 years after their 2008 hiatus. Using that as a guide, Yellowcard could realistically tour again as early as 2022 for the 5 year anniversary of their farewell tour. It’s also possible they could wait even longer closer to the 10 year mark around 2026-2027.
Factors Needed for a Reunion
If Yellowcard did want to realistically get back together for more shows or tours, what are some of the key factors that would need to align?
- Ryan Key and Sean Mackin would likely need to be willing and available, given they were the primary frontmen.
- Josh Portman may need incentive to take a break from his post-music career to rejoin.
- They’d benefit from still having an eager and interested fanbase.
- Financial incentive would have to be there – expect any reunion shows/tours to be quite profitable.
- Pop punk nostalgia would ideally be near peak levels.
Ryan Key’s continued involvement in music and openness to reuniting is a good sign. The level of fan enthusiasm several years after hiatus also seems strong. As the pop punk revival grows, financial prospects seem positive as well. The two biggest questions would be around Josh Portman’s participation and ensuring everyone can align schedules for rehearsals and tour dates. But overall, the essential factors appear to be in place if the timing and commitment aligned for everyone involved.
Setlist Expectations if Reunion Happened
Given Yellowcard’s extensive back catalog of 10 studio albums, if they did reunite for more tours, what would the setlist potentially look like?
Here is a hypothetical 18-song setlist Yellowcard could perform on a reunion tour:
Song | Album |
---|---|
Ocean Avenue | Ocean Avenue |
Way Away | Ocean Avenue |
Lights and Sounds | Lights and Sounds |
Only One | Ocean Avenue |
Empty Apartment | When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes |
For You, And Your Denial | Paper Walls |
With You Around | Lift a Sail |
Light Up The Sky | Paper Walls |
Believe | When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes |
Hang You Up | Ocean Avenue |
Always Summer | When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes |
One Bedroom | Lights and Sounds |
Rough Landing, Holly | Lift a Sail |
With You Around | Southern Air |
Fighting | Paper Walls |
Sing For Me | When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes |
Ten | One for the Kids |
Ocean Avenue | Ocean Avenue |
This setlist tries to span their entire discography. It would lean heavily on hits from Ocean Avenue like the title track, “Only One”, “Way Away” and “Hang You Up” given that album’s success and popularity. Other fan favorites like “Lights and Sounds”, “Rough Landing, Holly”, “Empty Apartment”, and “Sing For Me” would likely make the cut. Deep cuts like “Ten” and songs from newer albums like “With You Around” would get representation as well. And it would almost certainly close with “Ocean Avenue” considering it’s their biggest hit and one of the defining pop punk songs of the 2000’s.
Conclusion
While Yellowcard shows no signs of reuniting in the immediate future, a reunion down the road is very feasible. Key members like Ryan Key remain open to playing together again someday. Their previous reunion in 2010 after 2 years on hiatus demonstrates that hiatuses don’t have to be permanent. The level of fan enthusiasm also remains high with people eagerly awaiting their return. As more 2000’s pop punk bands like My Chemical Romance, Paramore, and Blink-182 have successful reunions, it increases the chances that Yellowcard will eventually come back as well. Somewhere between 2022-2026 seems a realistic timeline for potential Yellowcard reunion shows and tours. And if it happens, fans can expect a setlist packed with hits from Ocean Avenue and other career-spanning fan favorites. Only time will tell if or when Yellowcard decides the time is right to get back out on the road. But the possibility still seems hopeful for fans.