Jimmy Eat World at The Stone Pony, Asbury, NJ 6/25/26

June 25th, 2026 marks almost 25 years since hit rock band Jimmy Eat World released their famous album “Bleed American” to the world. If you think you’ve never heard of Jimmy Eat World, you’re lying to yourself; “The Middle” is a pop-punk anthem and a radio classic that I hear at my job at least 3 times a day (however the entire album is pure gold if you haven’t listened to it yet). To celebrate the 25th anniversary of their album, the band embarked on a nationwide tour with openers Girls Against Boys & The Wonder Years, including their stop at The Stone Pony Summer Stage this past Thursday.

I have been to the Summer Stage multiple times, including back in 2023 when Pierce the Veil opened for The Used. This concert was by far the most crowded audience I have ever seen at the venue; it felt like a can of sardines from the moment the concert started. Jimmy Eat World definitely deserves this audience, however I will admit I was a little worried about the safety of the audience when the crowd is that overpacked.

First on the lineup was Girls Against Boys, a post-hardcore band from Washington DC. They performed classic hits such as “Super-Fire” and “Kill the Sexplayer.”

Next was The Wonder Years, a pop-punk band from Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Maybe it was because of the fact that they are from a nearby state, but the crowd loved every second. They performed hits such as “Low Tide” & “Cardinals” whilst also shouting out Philly sports teams (a bold move to do in a primarily New York-fanbase location, but heavily respectable coming from a fellow Philly fan!)

Once the sun started to set, it was time for Jimmy Eat World to take the stage. With beaming lightbulbs that changed color throughout the set, they opened with “Clarity” and the crowd erupted in cheers. After performing a few more songs, they moved the lights around and performed the entirety of their album “Bleed American” from front to back.

Being in the photo pit during a concert is always a surreal feeling, but it’s always nice when you get to turn back to see the audience and how excited they are for the show that’s in front of them. Between the crowdsurfing, the clapping, and the dancing, this audience was electric. I also got a great view of the crowd during “The Middle” thanks to a lovely staff worker that let me use the stairs to the VIP bathrooms.

After the album was done, Jimmy Eat World closed their set with hits like “For Me This Is Heaven”, “Big Casino” (which was also a tour debut), and ended with their hit song “23” (which was very crazy hearing live as someone who just turned 23). The crowd’s energy sustained throughout the end of the night until it was time to leave the venue.

Coming from someone who didn’t really know the band besides a few of their hits, it was a great show with a great bill all-around. I love getting into artists by seeing them live, and the bands on this lineup were no exception!

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