To honor the late Chad Gilbert, New Found Glory will play two special shows at EPCOT on September 28 and 29. The band has canceled their scheduled appearance at the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento to facilitate this tribute in Orlando, Florida.
The pivot from Aftershock Festival to Orlando's EPCOT
New Found Glory has made the rare decision to withdraw from the Aftershock Festival, which was slated to take place in Sacramento from October 1 to October 4. According to the report, the band chose this cancellation specifically to facilitate a meaningful tribute to their longtime guitarist, Chad Gilbert. Instead of performing in California, the group will travel to Orlando, Florida, to play at the Walt Disney World Resort.
This decision highlights a growing trend where artists prioritize personal or communal mourning over major festival contracts . While massive festival appearances are crucial for touring bands, the group stated on Instagram that this specific tribute felt necessary. The shift from a massive festival stage to the more personal setting of EPCOT marks a significant change in their immediate professional schedule.
A final tribute at Chad Gilbert's "happiest place on Earth"
The choice of venue is deeply personal, as Chad Gilbert was a well-known enthusiast of Disney attractions. According to the report, Gilbert had been actively preparing for these specific EPCOT dates, working on setlists and practicing as much as possible to ensure he was ready to perform. By choosing the Walt Disney World Resort for these shows, the band is honoring Gilbert's personal joy.
The performances will be part of the "Eat to the Beat Concert series ," where the band is expected to play six different sets over the two-day period. This allows for a wide breadth of their discography to be shared with fans during a period of mourning... The band noted on Instagram that every note played at EPCOT is dedicated to Gilbert's memory, making the Florida trip a much more significant undertaking than a standard tour date.
Six sets to celebrate a 1997 pop-punk legacy
Chad Gilbert's influence on the pop-punk genre began when he co-founded New Found Glory in 1997 at the age of 17. His career has been defined by anthems like "My Friends Over You," "Hit or Miss," and "Something I Call Personality," all of which are expected to be featured during the upcoming EPCOT performances.. These songs helped estbalish the band as a cornerstone of the alternative music scene.
His passing at age 45 follows a difficult period of health struggles. As the source reported, Gilbert had been fighting liver cancer since 2021 and had recently revealed a battle with brain cancer just six months before his death. The upcoming shows at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will serve as a communal space for fans to celebrate the legacy of a musician who helped define a generation of alternative music.
Will New Found Glory continue without Gilbert?
While the immediate focus remains on the September 28 and 29 tribute shows, several questions remain for the New Found Glory fanbase. It is currently unclear how the loss of a founding member will impact the band's long-term lineup or their ability to fulfill future touring commitments. Furthermore, the source does not specify if the band intends to replace Gilbert or if these EPCOT shows represent a permanent shift in their operational structure.
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