The Dose: Good Charlotte’s return brings sense of nostalgia

Morgan Sullivan | Staff Writer

@sadsquadch

There’s a certain spirit in pop-punk shows other genres simply don’t have. They’re rowdy, loud and – if you’re lucky – you just might get punched in the face.

Perhaps it’s the nature of the lyrics that are usually about rebelling against authority, or how badly it sucks that girls don’t like you. Maybe it’s the fast-paced, drum-driven sound, or the crowd’s need to get a little crazy after a day full of indie bands. Whatever the case was, Good Charlotte had every head in Toyota Stadium bopping along to their set.

Returning to the music scene after a four-year hiatus, the Edgefest crowd was more than welcoming to the Maryland rock group fronted by twins Joel and Benji Madden. There was a feeling of nostalgia in the air as the group played some of their biggest hits like “The Anthem,” and “Girls & Boys,” along with a couple of newer ones like “The River,” and recent single, “40 oz. dream,” which is a colorful, nostalgic tune about how music (and life in general) has changed since the boys were big in 2003.

Benji Madden of Good Charlotte 
Meagan Sullivan | Visuals Editor

Regardless of their time away, the group still knows how to command a crowd.

“You guys ever been to a pop punk show?” was screamed into the mic like a call to action. The crowd knew what to do. Crowd surfers started up, a true sign of a pop punk show. The group also saw its first (and only) mosh pits of the day, to the delight of many and the fear of some.

Even with the combination of pop punk newbies and veterans, everyone in the crowd was kind to one another. Pop punk is like a family, and it was incredible to see strangers watching out for one another. It was apparent that many show-goers had very little experience dealing with crowd surfing, but quickly adjusted, even cheering on those who chose to partake in the rite of passage.

Good Charlotte’s newest album, Youth Authority, is set to release July 15. The band will return to Dallas in June for Vans Warped Tour, as the festival makes its annual stop at Gexa Energy Pavilion.

Featured Image: Guitarist Billy Martin sings along as the band plays old crowd favorites. Meagan Sullivan | Visuals Editor

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