On an unseasonably warm yet perfect 71-degree evening, fans arrived in downtown Washington, D.C., for All Time Low’s headlining show at The Anthem. As the autumn sunset cast a radiant glow across the Potomac River, excitement filled the air along The Wharf’s waterfront. Concertgoers moved quickly toward the venue’s striking, Broadway-style marquee, brightly lit and impossible to miss.
Inside, the spacious Anthem lived up to its reputation. Attendees grabbed merchandise and drinks before claiming spots on the expansive general-admission floor or heading to one of three tiered seating levels, including premium boxes. By doors-open, the front rail was already packed, with fans staking out positions as the room filled rapidly.
The four-band bill kicked off promptly at 6:30 p.m. Atlanta-based newcomers The Paradox opened with youthful, Blink-182-style energy. The four-piece delivered a tight 20-minute, six-song set drawn heavily from their September 2025 EP NSFW, including standout track “Do Me Like That.” Quick pacing and playful crowd banter made them an ideal tone-setter.
Worcester, Massachusetts’ Four Year Strong followed just after 7 p.m., raising the intensity with a commanding 30-minute performance. Their eight-song set, featuring “Dead End Friend,” ignited the first mosh pit of the night. Crowd-surfing erupted immediately, and at the band’s request the floor opened into a massive circle pit that kept spinning through the final chord.
Mayday Parade shifted the mood next, trading aggression for melody and emotion. Celebrating their 20th anniversary on this tour, the Florida band leaned into heartfelt sing-alongs. Frontman Derek Sanders, fresh off his recent wedding, shared personal moments between classics and newer material, filling the venue with thousands of voices raised in unison.
After Mayday Parade’s closing notes, the stage fell dark under low purple lights. Anticipation built as the crowd pressed forward for the moment they’d waited all night to see: hometown heroes All Time Low.
At 9 p.m., an announcer introduced the “Everyone’s Talking” tour and rattled off the evening’s openers. The Towson, Maryland quartet took the stage to a deafening roar. Vibrant primary-colored risers and animated screens backed a 20-plus-song setlist heavy on fan favorites, including “Monsters” and “Suckerpunch” from their brand-new October 2025 album Everyone’s Talking.
For 90 minutes the floor never stopped moving—crowd-surfing, bouncing, and word-perfect sing-alongs from start to finish. Between songs the band reflected on 22 years together and how special it felt to play close to home right before Thanksgiving. They closed the main set on a high, then returned for a proper three-song encore, declaring that’s exactly how a rock-and-roll show should end.
As the house lights came up, the energy remained electric—an unforgettable night of pop-punk bliss to kick off the holiday season.