There are few pairings as perfect as The Format and Jimmy Eat World, and the Hollywood Bowl was the ideal place to celebrate it. Taking the stage as the opener for Jimmy Eat World's Bleed American anniversary show, Nate Ruess and Sam Means and their band delivered a joyous, singalong-filled set honoring 20 years of their album Dog Problems, and the Bowl was alive with it from the very first note.

For fans who spent years waiting to see The Format return, the moment felt huge. The band's reunion after nearly two decades apart has been a gift to everyone who grew up on their sparkling, theatrical brand of pop-punk, and this performance showed just how well those songs have held up. The crowd was singing every word, from the opening bars to the closing notes, and the amphitheater was filled with people rocking out in every section. The lighting was incredible, adding color and drama to a set already brimming with energy, and the atmosphere was pure celebration.

True to the tour's purpose, the band played Dog Problems in full. According to setlist.fm, the set ran through "Matches," "I'm Actual," "Time Bomb," "She Doesn't Get It," and "Pick Me Up," before the title track, "Oceans," "Dead End," "Snails," "The Compromise," "Inches and Falling," and "If Work Permits." Hearing the record front to back was a reminder of what a rich, inventive album it is, full of big hooks, clever turns, and unmistakable heart. Ruess in particular still sounds amazing, his soaring voice effortlessly reaching every high note while the band behind him stayed sharp and spirited.

Then came the slightly deeper cuts. The band followed the album with "Holy Roller" and "The First Single," bringing in songs from earlier in their catalog for longtime fans, and tucked in a heartfelt cover of Neil Diamond's "I Am... I Said," which turned the Bowl into one huge choir. Wrapping up their roughly 75-minute set with "The First Single" gave the night its perfect sendoff, a bright, energetic closer that sent the crowd into the next set buzzing.

The setting couldn't have been better. The Hollywood Bowl's iconic shell, sweeping seats, and warm sense of occasion made every chorus feel bigger, and the band seemed right at home. Between the playful stage presence and the way the audience embraced every song, it felt less like an opening set and more like a hometown party for a band that has been missed.

The Format proved that great pop-punk doesn't fade with time, and as the perfect opener for Jimmy Eat World, they set the tone for an unforgettable night. If they roll into your town, don't miss them.

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The Format Celebrate 20 Years of Dog Problems at the Hollywood Bowl