Live Review: Young the Giant + Cold War Kids + almost monday @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater, Atlanta, GA - June 6, 2026

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It was a perfect night for an outdoor amphitheater concert in Atlanta. Under mostly overcast skies with hints of pink peeking through the clouds, Young the Giant brought the Victory Garden Tour to Synovus Bank Amphitheater on June 6 with support from Cold War Kids and almost monday. The evening paired two longtime alternative rock staples with an emerging indie pop act, making for an ideal start to the summer concert season.

San Diego trio almost monday opened the evening with an upbeat set that quickly got fans moving. Their sunny indie-pop sound and laid-back California vibe proved to be the perfect way to begin the night, with many fans already on their feet early in the evening.

Formed by vocalist Dawson Daugherty, guitarist Cole Clisby, and bassist Luke Fabry, almost monday has steadily built a following through a string of infectious singles and extensive touring. Their debut album DIVE showcased the band's groove-driven sound that blends indie pop with elements of alternative rock and funk. During the set, the band thanked everyone "all the way to the back" for dancing with them and invited fans to stop by the merch booth after the set to say hello. They also shared that a new album is expected later this year.

Cold War Kids took the stage next and delivered a polished set led by vocalist Nathan Willett. Backed by bassist Matt Maust, drummer Joe Plummer, guitarist David Quon and keyboardist Matthew Schwartz, the longtime alternative rock favorites reminded fans why they have remained a fixture in the scene for nearly two decades. Songs like "First" and "Hang Me Up to Dry" drew strong reactions from longtime fans and kept the momentum building toward the headliner.

Since breaking through with 2006's Robbers & Cowards, Cold War Kids have built a catalog filled with emotional songwriting and instantly recognizable hooks. Albums such as Mine Is Yours and Hold My Home helped establish the band as one of alternative rock's most dependable live acts. One of the standout moments of their set came when Willett performed the opening verse/chorus of "We Used To Vacation" alone at the piano before the rest of the band joined in, giving the song a more personal weight. He also told the crowd that Cold War Kids had opened for Young the Giant nine years earlier and how happy they were to once again be sharing the stage. Near the end of the set, Willett even thanked a fan wearing a light blue jersey near the back of the floor section, saying his energy had inspired the band throughout the evening.

Young the Giant took the stage at 9 p.m. with five oversized flowers stretching across the back of the stage, creating a colorful backdrop for the band's headlining performance. Frontman Sameer Gadhia, guitarists Jacob Tilley and Eric Cannata, bassist Payam Doostzadeh, and drummer François Comtois balanced material from the group's latest album Victory Garden with fan favorites spanning their career.

Since releasing their self-titled debut in 2010, Young the Giant have become one of alternative rock's most recognizable names thanks to songs like "My Body," "Cough Syrup," and "Mind Over Matter." Their newest album, Victory Garden, continues the band's evolution while maintaining the melodic sound that first brought them to mainstream audiences.

One of the night's biggest moments came during "My Body," when nearly everyone in attendance rose to their feet for the evening's biggest singalong. "Cough Syrup" brought another huge response as fans sang every word back to the band, but the loudest reaction of the night came when Atlanta favorites Grouplove's Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi joined Young the Giant onstage for a surprise performance of "Tongue Tied."

Later in the set, Gadhia addressed one of the questions he says he gets asked most often: why the band chose the name Young the Giant. Calling it both his least favorite and most important question, he explained that the members came up with the name when they were 19 years old, long before they knew anyone in the music industry. They simply believed in each other and wanted to make music together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1O10ASpZWs

Young The Giant - Already There (Official Music Video)

Now in their thirties, Gadhia said Young the Giant has become more than a band name. It has become a mantra. He encouraged fans to embrace their inner child and not view growing older as something negative. According to Gadhia, the band's latest album Victory Garden was created with that same spirit, with the group recording together live in the studio and rediscovering the joy of simply being present with one another. Released just four weeks ago, the album has already produced the band's first No. 1 alternative radio single with "Different Kind of Love."

With almost monday providing the summer vibes, Cold War Kids delivering a veteran performance, and Young the Giant closing the evening with a career-spanning set, Atlanta's stop on the Victory Garden Tour offered fans plenty of memorable moments and singalongs throughout the night. If this tour is headed to your city this summer, it is one worth catching.