New Found Glory with intimate acoustic sets from Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional and William Ryan Key of Yellowcard perform a benefit concert for Marjory Stoneman Douglas at Pompano Beach Amphitheater.

May 16th, 2018

#ParklandStrong: A concert benefiting Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

I am an educator.

Never have I been so compelled to write these words, solidify them, and own them. We live in a world where our students are no longer wondering if, but when, they too will succumb to the whims of an egotist reaping immoral benefits from a fractured and archaic legislative system. Until the time comes when our representatives begin representing our voices over their pay, we must endure the fight armed only with our passion and will to make change.

My passions permeated in me at an impressionable age when emotional music sang to the isolated teenager inside each of us. There is a reason each act tonight has been the cathartic radiosurgery for generations of students grappling for control in a life filled with universal absurdity. For twenty years, New Found Glory has cajoled our fears, and gave us a purpose to scream.

This night came together on the backs of four boys who grew up in the palm tree mazes of South Floridian suburbs and the spirit of high school students that can never be broken. William Ryan Key, formerly of Yellowcard and New York native, currently playing keyboards and second guitar on tour with NFG, began the benefit show with an introduction to his new EP of acoustic originals. His somber performance concluded with a couple of Yellowcard favorites including “Ocean Avenue,” which received a heartfelt singalong.

Between sets, a live auction continued raising money, along with 100% of proceeds from the show, for the official Broward Education Foundation Victim’s Fund, which is a little shy of its $10,000,000 goal. This money is being raised to ease the suffering of victim’s families through a time of unfathomable hardship. In addition to ticket sales, everything spent on food, beverage, and merchandise was donated to the foundation. New Found Glory has released a limited-edition band shirt in honor of those we remember. The front has their band name emblazoned on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas logo, and the back displays with remembrance the names of those who have lost their lives while attending school this past Valentine’s Day. With all proceeds being donated, the sea of maroon was a welcomed and comforting sight.

Chris Carrabba, front man and founder of Dashboard Confessional, gave a full-bodied performance. Carrabba has deeply rooted in South Florida, graduating from Boca Raton High School and majoring in Education while attending Florida Atlantic University. His instant connection to the crowd was palpable, as he found ways to assuage the tense and unpleasant reminders of why we were gathered. His witty banter and acoustic performances of fan favorites “Screaming Infidelities” and “Hands Down” brought everyone to their feet in a seated stadium.

Before they took stage, the quartet New Found Glory addressed the audience in a self-effacing letter to all those affected by the tragedy. Stoically standing in unison, the members went through their own past, sharing that two of their members had previously graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a feat the victims of this tragedy were robbed from accomplishing. They then took stage to perform a set list assembled for the upcoming Makes Me Sick Tour, named after their 2017 album, with a slight variation.

Chad Gilbert, lead guitarist and band spokesperson, asked for a volunteer to help sing “Failure’s Not Flattering” off of Catalyst. The semblance of symbolism came from the voice of the teenage girl they selected to belt the words meant to be revered by those who have had enough; by those who have collectively decided to fight back against inaction. Halfway through the performance, the band introduced a new game they plan to play with the crowd during each show of their upcoming tour.

“Wheel of Fast Songs” was created in order to set each show apart by allowing a fan to select a different fast song to be played each show. Jordan Pundik, lead singer and Quentin Tarantino look-a-like, asked for another lucky fan to come up and spin the wheel. NFG really showed who they were there for as the wheel landed on a song, but allowed the young man to select whichever song he most wanted to hear.  He selected “3^rd and Long,” a song off their very first full length, Nothing Gold Can Stay, released in 1999.

After twenty years, they still know how to intelligently mix older anthems with their newer sounds. This week saw another single and video debut for “Call Me Anti-Social” a clever commentary on our youth’s need to feel sheltered from mind-numbing trends. They played this along with other singles off their new album while integrating handfuls of songs from all their nine studio albums, even their rendition of “Eye of the Tiger” from Survivor. They surprised their fans with the announcement of the third From the Screen to Your Stereo, an album of cover songs from well-known films. The trilogy will be complete early next year.

The night evaporated tension and allowed some rest for those still reeling. The community truly came together for this event. From police officers to punk rockers, high schoolers to parents, everyone contributed to the energy of the evening. It is this energy, this unyielding passion, which drives us all to create a better world, a stronger world. We are tired of surviving. We are ready to start living.