ORANGEVALE—The Boardwalk is stacking the stage with emotion, nostalgia, and pure live energy this weekend as two crowd-favorite acts bring back-to-back performances to Orangevale. Friday, August 8, kicks off with the high-octane, scream-worthy stylings of EMO Kids, followed on Saturday, August 9, by synth-pop legends When in Rome II in a headlining show that blends classic hits with fresh new wave sounds.
It all starts Friday night with EMO Kids, widely regarded as the best live emo tribute band in the country. Known for their unmatched energy and attention to detail, EMO Kids deliver album-perfect renditions of the genre’s most iconic anthems—capturing every harmony, drum fill, and bass drop with relentless precision. Unlike typical Emo Night events centered around DJs spinning tracks, EMO Kids bring the music to life with nonstop live performance, replicating the raw emotion that defined the movement.
From My Chemical Romance and Taking Back Sunday to Paramore, Dashboard Confessional, and more, their setlists are an ever-changing tribute to the bands that shaped a generation. No two shows are the same—each night features a new rotation of songs that makes it feel like seeing all your favorite bands in one place, without having to run from stage to stage.
It’s a live experience created for both lifelong fans and newcomers ready to shout every lyric at the top of their lungs. This show is all-ages with a parent or guardian for guests under 21. Doors open at 8:00 p.m.
On Saturday night, the mood shifts from eyeliner and angst to shimmering synths and chart-topping nostalgia as When in Rome II brings their iconic sound back to The Boardwalk. The original trio—Michael Floreale, Clive Farrington, and Andrew Mann—rose to global fame in 1988 with their hit single “The Promise,” which peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped the band’s self-titled debut album sell more than 350,000 copies in the U.S. alone.
Musical differences led to a split, but in 2006, founding keyboardist and composer Michael Floreale—now an award-winning composer for film and television—was approached to reform the band for a tour with Devo and The Psychedelic Furs. That relaunch led to the formation of When in Rome II, featuring vocalist John Ceravolo. The duo’s chemistry quickly ignited a new era for the group, producing a wave of haunting melodies, soaring vocals, and original songwriting that builds on the emotional heart of their ’80s origins.
Since then, When in Rome II has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and South America, performing alongside new wave icons including A Flock of Seagulls, Bow Wow Wow, The English Beat, and The Romantics. They recently signed a new record deal with Spectra Records and are preparing to release a new album featuring fan favorites like “Last Train” and “Eventide.” With glowing testimonies from audiences and consistent praise for their dynamic live shows, When in Rome II continues to captivate both longtime fans and a new generation of synth-pop lovers. Saturday’s show is 21 and over. Doors open at 8:00 p.m.
Adding to the night’s diversity are two exciting openers. Of The Sun, a four-piece pop-punk rock band formed in 2023 in Folsom, brings high energy and sharp hooks that bridge classic punk and modern rock. Aether Element, based in Sacramento, rounds out the bill with a bold tribute to Tool, channeling the technical power and intensity of one of prog rock’s most revered acts.
Both performances take place at The Boardwalk, located at 9426 Greenback Lane in Orangevale. All ticket sales are final.
To purchase tickets or explore more upcoming events, visit www.rocktheboardwalk.com.
Copyright © 2025, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
