Mayday Parade successfully wraps up ‘Three Cheers for 20 Years’ with final show in Manila

American emo rock band Mayday Parade closed the final leg of their Three Cheers for 20 Years world tour at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last September 24, 2025. Organized by PULP Live World, the show marked both a celebration of the band’s two decades of music and a return to a fanbase they first connected with during their 2011 visit to the Philippines.

For Mayday Parade, Manila has always been more than another tour stop. Between songs, vocalist Derek Sanders paused to reflect on the city’s role in their journey.

“We first came here in 2011 and we honestly didn’t know what to expect,” Sanders said. “But the love you gave us that night—we’ve never forgotten it. That’s why every time we plan a tour, Manila is always part of it. You made us feel like we belong here.”

The crowd, a mix of longtime listeners and younger fans, sang every line with the same intensity as the band itself.

Still Going Strong at 40

Running through staples like *Jamie All Over*, *Miserable at Best*, and *Terrible Things*, Sanders again addressed the crowd with candor.

“We never thought we’d still be doing this at 40. Back then we figured it would be a few years, a couple of albums. But here we are, still on stage because of you.”

The response was loud and heartfelt. For many, the band’s songs had carried them through breakups, milestones, and growing pains. Seeing the group still performing with the same energy brought a sense of shared resilience.

A Setlist That Spanned Eras

The night’s setlist struck a perfect balance between early-2000s emo favorites and newer material, proving the band’s ability to connect across generations of fans. The show opened with “By The Way” and “Just Say You’re Not Into It.” Fan favorites like “Stay”, “Three Cheers for Five Years,” “Oh Well, Oh Well,” and Piece of Your Heart” carried the energy throughout the night. Finally, the band closed with ‘Jamie All Over’ ending the night on a powerful high that left the crowd buzzing.

As the final notes rang out and the band bowed, the audience lingered, unwilling to let the night end. For both the fans and the band, it was more than a show. It was a reunion and a reminder of how music binds people across years and miles.

Before leaving the stage, Sanders offered one last message:

“This isn’t goodbye. We’ll see you again, Manila. Always.”