A Blast From the Past with Emo Nite Presenting: Plain White T’s and We The Kings on the Delilah vs. Juliet Tour

BY Steven Ong | November 16th, 2025

By Steven Ong | November 15, 2025

Just days before Vans Warped Tour arrived in Orlando, nostalgic staples Plain White T’s and We the Kings took over Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, Florida. Smoke filled the outdoor venue, beers and seltzers in hand, and the crowd threw up horns as the night started. The space was packed wall-to-wall with rowdy, unrelenting energy as each song pulled everyone back into the memories that made these bands iconic. Two DJs from Emo Nite opened the show, spinning throwback pop-punk, rock, and metal; it was the perfect pre-game before the main acts hit the stage.

Plain White T’s, the pop-rock band formed in Illinois in the late ’90s, delivered more than their softest hits might suggest. The lineup was lead singer Tom Higgenson, guitarist Tim Lopez, bassist Mike Retondo, and drummer De’Mar Hamiltom. The energy was so high that De’Mar broke a snare within the first three songs.

The crowd matched their intensity without missing a beat. Fans were screaming, crowd-surfing, moshing even during their most well known track, “Hey There Delilah.” One wholesome moment came when a couple shared that “1, 2, 3, 4” had been their wedding song. It was a nostalgic thrill to see the band still performing with heart, especially as this marked the final stop of their Delilah vs. Juliet Tour. Towards the end they gave their flowers figuratively and literally to We the Kings.

We the Kings were no strangers to Jannus Live, as they felt right at home. Formed just 30 minutes away in Bradenton, Florida, the band includes lead singer/guitarist Travis Clark, bassist Charles Trippy, drummer Sebastian Quintero, lead guitarist Hunter Thomsen, and guitarist/keys/vocalist Coley O’Toole all took a moment to reflect and say “We were right there standing where you are, paying to watch our favorite artists in the pit,” they said. “So thank you.”

From the first note, they exploded onto the stage. Their movement was nonstop, almost too intense to capture clearly on camera until the middle of their set. Their performance wasn’t just high energy, it felt empowering, as they acknowledged their journey and thanked the fans who’ve stuck with them.

Despite the show being only a warm-up for their Vans Warped Tour appearance in Orlando later that week, the night stood strong on its own. If Emo Nite, Plain White T’s, or We the Kings roll through your city, even if you only know their biggest hits, you owe it to yourself to experience it. This music isn’t just a phase. It’s a lifestyle.

Steven Ong is a photojournalist for Majestic Music Magazine.

See more of his work here.