- Taking Back Sunday w/Bayside
- 06/21/2026 - The Sylvee - Madison, WI
- ©Justin Nuoffer
On an overcast and rainy day in Madison, Wisconsin, the city was still lively as the first day of summer arrived. The golden dome of the state capitol poked through the clouds and showcased its striking beauty. The restaurants along East Washington were busy as ever, and the streets were full. Nothing could deter people from enjoying their day.
On South Livingston Street, a crown jewel of the Midwest stands. The Sylvee and its glass facade were ready to host. A line started to build as the venue’s early opening time allowed people to enter and get situated. Once the glass doors beneath the large marquee reading “Taking Back Sunday Summer 2026 Tour Tonight” opened, fans were ushered through a quick security check and ticket scan. Inside, the tour merchandise stand occupied a small alcove to the right next to the coat check. The line never slowed down. To the left, a bar stretched along the back wall where patrons grabbed drinks while enjoying the final hours of the weekend.
The general admission floor sits on a sublevel, with stairways leading down on each side. The stage is massive and spans the entire width of the room. A security barricade runs across the front of it, and fans rush down to claim their spots, ready to scream their hearts out. Above the floor, the second level wraps around with two rows of seats and two additional rows of standing room behind them. On the third level, suites overlook the venue for various group outings and sponsors.
The lone opener of the evening was Bayside, the punk rockers from Queens, New York. The band has been rocking stages since 2004 but had only performed in Madison four times previously. The last was ten years ago at the Majestic Theater, just on the other side of Capitol Square. To say the city of Madison was long overdue for another visit would be an understatement.
The band took to the stage waving and smiling at the packed venue and opened with “Big Cheese.” It was like a switch flipped as the subdued crowd instantly went into a frenzy. Bassist Nick Ghanbarian took to the front ledge of the stage to engage with fans. He then explored the entire left side, bouncing around while laying down the foundation of the band’s sound. Behind him, drummer Chris Guglielmo was tucked away, but he crushed his kit. The two laid down the rhythm, and the excitement built.
Bayside pumped out eleven songs in total, but early on, one track from the 2024 release There Are Worse Things Than Being Alive hit home with many, as the lyrics were sung right back to the band. “How to Ruin Everything” struck a chord early with the Madison crowd. In fact, the first portion of the set was a mishmash of songs spanning multiple albums, including “Duality,” “A Call to Arms,” and “Already Gone.” Frontman and guitarist Anthony Raneri stepped up to the microphone wearing a Seinfeld shirt as a nod to his home state and carrying a smile throughout the set. Every chance he had, he planted one foot on a monitor and ripped through the material that built the band. To his right, lead guitarist Jack O’Shea bounced around his space and let his fingers do the talking on the strings, adding a little flair whenever he could.
Check out the Bayside concert photo gallery below:
When Bayside moved into the back half of their set, the crowd was ready. Raneri commented, “Who knew Wisconsin went so hard?” An eruption from all angles overtook the venue. This was where the band dove into their breakout self-titled album from 2005. Churning out “Montauk” and “Don’t Call Me Peanut,” that feeling of youthful energy and angst overflowed. The emotional response prompted the band to announce, “We have good news and bad news. The bad news is we have three more songs. The good news is every single one of us gets to see Taking Back Sunday next.”
Roars filled The Sylvee. Instantly, Bayside launched into “Go to Hell” from their latest album, which sent a few crowd surfers floating overhead. Closing with “Blame It on Bad Luck” and “Devotion and Desire” sent the floor into a frenzy as every word was echoed back. The nostalgia and heart those lyrics created all those years ago were once again alive. With this being the last night of the tour with Taking Back Sunday, Bayside went out on a high note.
The moment everyone was waiting for had arrived. The stage darkened, and the golden lighting panels lining the back of the stage slowly illuminated. The band rushed out and waved to the crowd. With a single strum of the guitar strings, the band from Amityville, New York, was off and running with “What’s It Feel Like to Be a Ghost?” Taking Back Sunday had finally made it to Madison, Wisconsin. Thirteen years ago, Adam Lazzara had to fly home on the day of their scheduled performance at the Orpheum Theater to witness the birth of his child. This marked the band’s first official performance within the city. Their previous Wisconsin stops had been in Milwaukee.
Moving into the second song of the evening, “Liar (It Takes One to Know One),” the band jumped into the first of many selections from their 2006 smash album Louder Now. With this being the twentieth anniversary of the album, the Madison faithful were more than ready. The barricade was packed with fans singing their hearts out. Bathed in golden lighting, Taking Back Sunday moved from song to song without stopping, cranking out as many tracks as possible.
Delivering songs like “The One,” “Error: Operator,” and “Tidal Wave,” the band never lost momentum. Their stage presence is undeniable, as Lazzara slings his microphone around only to catch it right before singing the lyrics many grew up with. At times, the band teeters along the line between rock and pop. The roller coaster of emotionally charged lyrics tugs at the heartstrings, but the explosion of joy truly captivates as the band rips through fan favorite “You’re So Last Summer.”
The core of the band featured Lazzara on vocals, Shawn Cooper on bass, and John Nolan on guitar. Fred Mascherino was back in a touring role on guitar as well. Rounding out the lineup were Mitchell Register on drums and Nathan Cogan on guitar and keys. Together, the six were a cohesive unit that provided such a fun atmosphere throughout the evening. The setlist pulled from six of the band’s eight albums, and the variety was a welcome experience.
Continuing on with the show, they launched into “Twenty-Twenty Surgery” and “Flicker, Fade.” Lazzara, who started the show in a full suit, ditched the coat and began dancing freely across the stage. His vocals were on point and in pristine condition. Every emotional nuance could be heard and felt. He mentioned that the next song, “Divine Intervention,” had been added at the last minute for a friend. One of the most impressive aspects of the evening was the fans. The crowd had been at full throttle from the very first note. They managed to sing every song so loudly that you could hear them in the upper levels. That energy was matched by the band, and they knew it.
The second half of the night moved extremely fast, largely because the most notable songs of their career were waiting for the sing-along. Songs like “Brooklyn (If You See Something, Say Something),” “S’Old,” and “My Blue Heaven” served as warm-ups until the hits that thrust them into the spotlight arrived. On stage, John Nolan and Fred Mascherino were machines. Both put their whole bodies into their performances, bending, leaning, stomping, and jumping around while delivering the timeless riffs of our youth.
Check out the Taking Back Sunday concert photo gallery below:
The final portion of the night went swimmingly. The vibes and good times were at an all-time high. “Lightbringer” from 152 served as a segue into Taking Back Sunday’s biggest radio hits. The Madison crowd was in a full-on dance session while bellowing out favorite lyrics to “Timberwolves at New Jersey,” “Miami,” and “You Can’t Look Back.” That rush of warm nostalgia arrived in full force with “Cute Without the ‘E’” and “MakeDamnSure.” This blitz of recognizable lyrics and riffs had The Sylvee moving. Fans on the balcony stood, leaned forward, and screamed the words over the general admission crowd below.
Taking Back Sunday proved to be a fitting phrase for the night. This Sunday, Madison showed up and showed out. The fans were the true MVPs. The atmosphere was fun and cheerful. Smiles filled faces as concertgoers made their way out of the venue. The merchandise line once again sprang to life as fans grabbed one last souvenir before heading home. This was a successful event all around. The positivity was contagious. The band’s wholesome and mature approach to performing was a breath of fresh air. Taking Back Sunday’s stop in Madison was everything one could have asked for heading into the work week.
Catch Taking Back Sunday on the Road…
