What the hell is pop punk, and who the hell are All Time Low?

⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

**ALL TIME LOW PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO**
**PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN**

That was the question echoing in my head as I flicked through Kerrang! with Kerrang! radio humming in the background, drowning in stripes, piercings, black-and-neon chaos, hairspray, eyeliner, studded belts, and fingerless lace gloves. Pop punk looked loud, emotional, and slightly unhinged — rebellion dipped in sugar. Fast guitars, massive choruses, and lyrics that turned heartbreak into something you could scream back at the world. And right there, splashed across the pages, were All Time Low: grinning, messy-haired, and effortlessly cool. It felt like stumbling into a subculture halfway through a sentence. A world I didn’t fully understand yet, but desperately wanted to

Fast forward to now, and I’m standing in a packed venue, waiting for that noise and neon to come alive.

First up was Taylor Acorn, an American country singer turned punky princess, and one of the night’s biggest surprises. For fans of Hayley Williams and Avril Lavigne, her set hit the sweet spot between vulnerability and raw energy. Standout tracks “Burning House” and “Psycho” landed hard, carried by a band that poured their heart and soul into every note. Her guitarist, in particular, stole the spotlight — throwing and twirling his instrument, leaping into the air with scissors kicks that would have made Fall Out Boy proud. It was chaotic, theatrical, and utterly thrilling.

Next came Mayday Parade, a band synonymous with pop punk’s golden era. Their set was packed with bouncy melodies, nostalgic hooks, and that unmistakable feeling of watching a group of friends who truly made it doing what they love. Every song felt like a shared memory between band and crowd, a reminder of why this genre still matters. They didn’t just warm up the room — they reignited it.

Originally, Four Year Strong were due to support, but had to pull out due to illness, leaving fans disappointed. Still, the night never felt lacking, thanks to the strength of the remaining lineup.

Then came All Time Low.

As the lights dropped, “Mr Blue Sky” blasted through the speakers, sending a wave of anticipation across the crowd. When the band finally exploded onto the stage, it was pure release. Launching straight into “Suckerpunch,” they tore through a career-spanning setlist that balanced nostalgia with fresh material. “Weightless” “Poppin’ Champagne,” and “Damned If I Do Ya” had the entire venue bouncing, while “Time-Bomb” and “Backseat Serenade” delivered soaring highs.

Acoustic moments, including “Missing You” and “Remembering Sunday” featuring Taylor Acorn, stripped everything back, proving just how powerful their songwriting remains. The live debut of “Falling for Strangers” added an extra spark, while later tracks like “Monsters,” “Sleepwalking,” and “Dirty Laundry” kept the energy relentless.

After Rian Dawson’s blistering drum solo, the encore sealed the night. “Lost in Stereo” and the iconic “Dear Maria, Count Me In” turned the venue into one massive, euphoric singalong — sweaty, loud, and completely alive.

So, what the hell is pop punk? It’s this. Connection. Chaos. Community. And All Time Low are still right at the heart of it.