The Wonder Years is a six-piece Philadelphia based emo band who have been releasing sad kid anthems since 2010. They can credit a lot of their growth and success to the touring Warped Tour Festival, which took them across the US every summer for many years, until its end in 2018. This tour was the inspiration for Sad Summer, which they are co-headlining this year. Over the course of their career, The Wonder Years have become advocates for the less fortunate and minorities and this was highlighted at the end of their set when lead singer, Dan Campbell said a speech which concluded with “Protect Trans Youth and Free Palestine.” He and his bandmates not only proclaim themes of acceptance through their music but also through their performances.

They opened with “There, There” and “Passing Through A Screen Door” from their 2013 album The Greatest Generation. These tracks are back to back on the album and flow together deliberately, so they were a familiar duo to many in attendance. Circle pits quickly formed across the floor of the amphitheater.

Later, they played their latest release, single “Year of the Vulture,” a high-energy almost screamo song, released in February. This song is the WWE NXT Stand & Deliver theme song. Singer Dan Campbell explained that wrestling and the WWE has played a huge role in his life and inspired much of his performances, so he was very happy when they asked him to create this theme song for them.

The Wonder Years rolled on with “I Don’t Like Who I Was Then” and “Cardinals” off of their 2015 album, No Closer To Heaven. This album is a collection of some of their saddest songs, so they tried to lighten the mood by comedically saying “Drop the beat!” before “Cardinals” played. Campbell also showed off some wrestling moves and spins during these more emotional tracks.

They closed their set with their 2012 album, Suburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing’s opening track: “Came Out Swinging.” This album and song share a theme of having a love-hate relationship with your hometown and how you can persevere through that. I am sure the emos in the crowd can relate and sang along with their entire hearts as the energetic set came to a close.

Review & Photos by: Emily Tonnessen

Like what you read? Follow our social media and playlist for the latest in independent music:

The Wonder Years “Dropped The Beat” During their Sad Summer Set