New Found Glory paid a moving tribute to Chad Gilbert on Monday night at EPCOT, their first show since the guitarist passed away on September 20 at 45.
Chad's red Mickey Mouse Les Paul stood on stage beside his amp, with white flowers and a framed photo on top, as the band played Eat to the Beat at America Gardens Theatre during the Food & Wine Festival.
"We lost our brother last week, Chad, and even though he's not here in body, he is here in spirit tonight," frontman Jordan Pundik told the crowd. He said Chad "loved his family fiercely, he loved this band fiercely."
The band says Chad was a massive Disney fan who had been planning and practicing for these shows. "Taking the stage at Epcot feels like the right way to honor him, and what he would want us to do."
New Found Glory play EPCOT again tonight.
Footage via @mysocalledconcertlife