I can sum up tonight’s performance in two words: fucking incredible. Unfortunately for me, my editor wouldn’t be too happy if I left it at that, so here’s a more detailed review.

For the past two weeks, I have just been listening to every Fireworks, Hit The Lights and New Found Glory CD in preparation for this glorious night. Waking up this morning, the words "excited", "thrilled", "ecstatic" would just be an understatement to how I was feeling.

During the train ride into the city with my pop-punk partner in crime, we blasted New Found Glory’s Sticks and Stones hoping to bring joy and happiness into the lives of many passengers on board, however they didn’t seem to appreciate what were doing and told us off; typical sellouts. Arriving at the Roundhouse at exactly 7:30pm, we were greeted by a sea of familiar faces that were all over the moon for tonight’s sold out show.

The floor and top bar were packed with people, something you rarely see this early. Opening up the night were Detroit’s five-piece pop punk band Fireworks, a last minute replacement for Saosin who dropped out for unknown reasons; quite frankly I could not have been happier. Walking onto stage they greeted the crowd and got straight into it with “Geography, Vonnegut and Me”. The sound at first was quite terrible and it didn’t pick up until midway through the third song when it finally got better. Only a handful of people seemed to be really into the band, but mark my words, after tonight Fireworks will be on everyone’s ipod and most listened to band their last.fm accounts. The set was fun, loud and enjoyable as singer Brett Jones felt right at home in front of such a large crowd. They continued on with “When We Stand On Each Other We Block Out The Sun” and finished with “Detroit” getting the entire stadium to sing along with him “Whoa oh oh oh, you don’t need maps when you know where the sidewalk cracks”.

Up next were Ohio pop-punk natives Hit The Lights. They opened the set with “Stay Out” and thus began the sing-alongs “And we'll stay out all night cause rest is for the dead…We'll hold friends close and never want to go home”. I was highly impressed with front-man Nick Thompson’s voice, as he was able to match the intensity of their sound on CD to a live setting in “Back Beaker”. The highlight of the night was their cover of “Holly Hox, Forget Me Nots” by Saves The Day which was epic. They also played a few old songs from “3 Oh 9” and crowd favourite “Bodybag”.

Lead guitarist Omar took a break from playing and had a chat with the crowd, preaching that you didn’t need school, and all that you needed was Hit The Lights in your life; AMEN. From the first words sung in "Drop The Girl" the entire crowd went into a frenzy from crowd surfing to mosh pits and high fives to sing alongs; everyone was having the time of their life. They put on a phenomenal show that was energetic and entertaining, captivating their fans. I eagerly await their return next year. 

It was a quick changeover marked by Miley Cyrus’ “Party In The USA” before New Found Glory arrived on stage. Beginning with “Something I Call Personality” the band wasted no time in working the crowd with their infectious energy. For anyone who has seen New Found Glory before, it is impossible not to have a good time; for the entire night I was smiling from ear to ear. It wasn’t just a show, it was a memorable experience that no one would ever forget. 

What people witnessed tonight was one of the best live bands ever, and hearing “Kiss Me” and “Iris” live was amazing. Each song was sung with such intensity and passion; the atmosphere was exhilarating and raw.

They ended the set with "Hit Or Miss" and quite possibly the greatest song in history "My Friends Over You"; which was delivered with such energy and enthusiasm that every single person there that night left with a smile on their face.

Long live New Found Glory.