New Found Glory will go ahead with its September 28 and 29 performances at EPCOT in memory of guitarist Chad Gilbert. The band confirmed the decision after Gilbert died on September 20 at age 45, following a long battle with cancer. It has canceled a separate appearance at Aftershock Festival while the members take time to grieve.
Why the EPCOT dates are going ahead
These were not shows Gilbert had watched from the sidelines. According to the band, he loved Disney, helped plan the setlists and had been practicing in hopes of joining them onstage. Continuing with the Florida performances, the group explained, felt like a way to honor something he had been looking forward to.
That distinction matters. The decision to play at EPCOT is not a signal that the band is returning to its normal schedule. New Found Glory is making space to mourn while keeping two dates that held a personal meaning for Gilbert.
When and where New Found Glory will play
The concerts are part of the Eat to the Beat series at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Disney's official schedule lists New Found Glory at America Gardens Theatre on September 28 and 29, with sets at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. each day. Disney notes that entertainment schedules can change, so anyone planning to attend should check the listing again before traveling.
Aftershock appearance canceled
The band said it would withdraw from Aftershock Festival to give its members time to process Gilbert's death. It made that announcement alongside its plan to keep the EPCOT dates. The two choices may look different from the outside, but the band has drawn a clear line between a festival booking and the shows Gilbert had helped prepare.
There is no tidy way to turn grief into a gig. eLyrics has covered other onstage memorials, including Charlie Puth's concert tribute to Matthew Perry, but Gilbert had been preparing for the very performances now dedicated to him. Fans who sing along will hear familiar words in a changed setting, something we explored in how lyrics change what we hear in a song.
