“Summer Gods” ARIZONA, Yellowcard, and Third Eye Blind Bless MidFL. Amphitheater

All Photos By Jordan Raiff

A 33-date tour is rough on most bands. However, for perennial road kings Third Eye Blind, Yellowcard, and ARIZONA, showing up to the tropical sweatbox that is Tampa, FL is just another day.

Cutting through the moist evening air, these bands worked the crowd, and made it feel like a jam-packed house as the sun was starting to slip below the horizon.

ARIZONA has been signed since 2015, and this was my first time seeing the trio from New Jersey. Comprised of Berklee College of Music students, Guitarist Nathan Esquite, Keyboardist David Labuguen, and Singer Zachary Charles, they bring a positive and fun energy to their 10-songset.

Turning around and looking at the people behind me, some of the younger fans were singing right along with “Cross My Mind,” “Dark Skies,” and “Annie” among others.

Their performance showcases how much a band can grow in the years following a break. Taking their own from 2019 to 2023, ARIZONA has come back with some serious growth, and the chemistry between them is palpable.

Those unfamiliar with them were singing their praises by the time the set ended. Quite honestly, they don’t get the love they deserve.

For the last 21 years, the song “Ocean Avenue” has been the lifeblood and global song for Yellowcard. One of the only bands from the early 2000’s to feature a violin player, the quartet is comprised of lead singer Ryan Key, lead guitarist Ryan Mendez, bassist Josh Portman and violinist Sean Mackin and they were joined by touring drummer Jimmy Brunkvist.

With a 12-song set of their own, Key took the fans through a journey over their catalog.

Naturally songs like “Cut Me, Mick,” One Bedroom,” and “Be the Young” had people singing all over. Given the sizable growth of the crowd, the reactions, and volume of the fans was incredibly strong.

With everyone in the pit refusing to use their seats, Yellowcard was reaching out and giving their fans the moments of connection they came for.

Naturally the singback on “Oceans Avenue” was the loudest of their set, but it made the shade overhead rattle it was so powerful.

Headlining the night was Third Eye Blind. With Stephen Jenkins at vocals, Brad Hargreaves on drums, Kryz Reid on guitar, and Alex LaCavalier on bass, these four fill a niche of music that’s something special.

Formed back in 1990, their self-titled debut album has kept them as a major force on the radio and in movies. Playing an 18-total-song set, Jenkins shared bits of history about the band as he played.

With intense backlighting as the name of the game, they were a challenge to shoot, but with extended time in the pit, it offered some very creative moments. After their opening 10 songs, they brought out the risers, cushions, and acoustic guitars.

Simply enjoying the moment, they brought out Yellowcard for “Slow Motion” then went through “Bonfire,” “Blinded (When I see You),” and “Semi-Charmed Life” in a proper acoustic renditioning.

Yet it was the campfire requested singalong of “Jumper” that really connected. A song well known for it’s anti-suicidal message, it hits for many fans in one strong way or another. Looking around the crowd, and many could be seen wiping tears, and just feeling the moment.

Jenkins at one point explained that this was supposed to be a tour for their new album, but the album has yet to be finished. Asking the crowd if they would come back again in another nine years, he offered to tour again when he finishes it.

Little tongue-in-cheek jokes like this made the night more personal, as well as his comments about just wearing his street clothes since his stage locker had disappeared.

With nine shows left on the tour, you don’t have long to catch this line up, but if you can, do it!!