New Found Glory to Play EPCOT Tribute Shows for Late Guitarist Chad Gilbert
New Found Glory has canceled their Aftershock Festival appearance following the death of guitarist Chad Gilbert. The band will instead play their next shows at EPCOT in Walt Disney World, as Gilbert was a devoted Disney fan and had been planning those performances. The band says every note will be played in his memory.
The band's decision to cancel their Sacramento festival slot stems from the need to process their loss. Their upcoming EPCOT performances were personally significant to Gilbert, who had been actively preparing for them, even collaborating on the set lists. The chosen songs, including "My Friends Over You" and "Dressed to Kill," reflect his input.
Gilbert's passing was announced on September 20 by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli. He had been fighting brain cancer for six months, following an earlier liver cancer diagnosis in 2021. The band's tribute shows will serve as a public memorial, with every note dedicated to his memory.
This tribute may offer fans a meaningful space for collective mourning, transforming a theme park performance into a memorial ritual. It could also spotlight how personal passions shape artistic legacies, potentially deepening the emotional connection between the band and its audience. The cancellation of Aftershock might disappoint some attendees, but the shift to EPCOT could reinforce the importance of honoring a member's specific wishes during grief.