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Lollapalooza 2025 Day One – Triumph of a Villain
From the moment Lollapalooza announced Xdinary Heroes was part of their 2025 lineup, I was determined at least attend whatever day they played. By sheer dumb luck, I was able to snag a four-day pass the day they went on sale.
Lollapalooza kicked off on Thursday, July 31 at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. While there were plenty of artists I was looking forward to Saturday through Sunday, I knew from the moment the schedule was released that the six-member Korean rock band was the primary draw for day one. Going into my first Lollapalooza with that as my primary goal left the rest of the day completely open
The first thing that struck me as I approached Grant Park was the sheer size of the festival. Streets were blocked off roughly a week before, but I didn’t fully understand just how massive until I passed through the gates. Security, as one would expect, was extremely tight. There were two checkpoints to hit before you even got to the airport-style security check: one to show your wristband and the other to actually scan it. While you were able to keep your belts and shoes on, pockets had to be empty and bags had to be open.
While I entered the festival with the intention to camp for Xdinary Heroes, I couldn’t help but be pulled towards the BMI stage during Girl Tones‘s set. While I’m not terribly familiar with them or their music, they brought a classic riot grrrl energy I’m always a sucker for. The sister-duo rocked the stage with the energy of a full band and reminded me why I love going into festivals even if I don’t know much of the lineup: you get pleasant surprises like Girl Tones.
To be honest, I struggled navigating the festival in the beginning. It’s possible that I wandered around for a good ten minutes looking for my desired stage, even after asking personnel for help, before arriving at The Grove just as Black Party’s set began. I could already see a small crowd of dedicated Xdinary Heroes fans, called Villains, who had the same thought as me but more dedication.
The vibe completely shifted when Sunami took the stage. Entirely separate from Black Party’s relaxed vibe, Sunami brought San Jose hardcore to The Grove. Despite the band’s violent reputation, the crowd was energetic but not overwhelming. The mosh pit was tame when compared to their infamous debut show, but most things would be. Still, even Villains camping at the barricade were head banging to songs like “Y.A.B”, short for “You’re A Bitch”, and “GATE CRASHER”. “Real Bay Shit,” indeed.
FCUKERS (pronounced “Fuckers”) solidified Lollapalooza’s eclectic nature for me. Following Sunami, the electronic duo played club-ready bangers with a relaxed confidence that got the crowd dancing. I don’t have much to write home about Glass Beams and Overmono. Glass Beams, a project spearheaded by multi-instrumentalist Rajan Silva, had the most intriguing persona. Each member of the band donned bejeweled masks and the dreamy psychedelic rock they played well. However, I didn’t find the performance itself terribly engaging. I don’t think it was meant to be, but that doesn’t necessarily play well to a festival crowd that just got done shaking ass to a band called FCUKERS. Overmono’s DJ set also got the crowd dancing, but it couldn’t have prepared the crowd for what came next.
Unfortunately, I can’t say much about 2hollis as a performer. Neither his onstage presence nor his music is what stuck with me after his set. In fact, I couldn’t remotely focus on the stage. From the moment his set began, his fans started pushing the crowd and throwing elbows without the faintest thought of safety or consent. Far from the respectful pit of Sunami, I spent the majority of the performance helping defend less-experienced concertgoers who had no interest in making the entire crowd a mosh pit as 2hollis fans seemed to. Thankfully, there were several people near the front of the stage who had similar or greater concert-going experience than mine that were able to help.
A defense that was shouted in my face more than once was, “It’s 2hollis”, as if this is something I should expect from his show. Maybe that much was on me: prior to this set, I had never heard of 2hollis and didn’t have any idea what to expect from the crowd. However, this is a festival crowd. Not everyone here is waiting to see 2hollis and I don’t believe you should just expect everyone in it to just be down for whatever. Also, it doesn’t matter if you’re seeing 2hollis or a hardcore death metal band. Mosh pits require consent and have their own set of rules and etiquette. They’re not mindless, violent pushing and shoving from people who don’t seem to care if anybody gets legitimately hurt.
Security finally intervened when the moshing caused an undefined medical emergency. Thankfully, the crowd begrudgingly complied when a security agent instructed everyone to take several steps back. In response, according to Annisyn Krebs-Carr for The Daily Illini, 2hollis said:
Image Credit: Isaac Pinkus for The Daily Illini “Step back, don’t hurt each other. I know it’s crazy. I love you, I love you, I don’t want you to be hurt. If someone falls down, pick them up.”
While Krebs-Carr said “the safety of the crowd was restored”, I can’t say I felt the same way. After the show resumed, very little changed regarding the crowd’s behavior. Fans of 2hollis may have been “invigorated” by this performance, but several others continued to feel at risk until the set ended at 8:30. 2hollis himself may have showed “a genuine display of concern for his fans” but, from the poor view I had of the set, he also seemed all too ready to bask in their unchecked energy until security stepped in.
Frankly, as far as first impressions go, this was the poorest I’ve experienced in quite some time. As someone who has been going to concerts for over a decade, I can confidently say I’ve never been in a worse crowd. While 2hollis fans were exiting the stage area, one particularly overzealous participant loudly bragged about still getting videos of the performance despite the raucous crowd and showed no remorse when someone responded by shouting, “I couldn’t breathe, asshole!”
I’ll concede the pocket of fans I happened to be trapped in may not represent the entirety of the fandom. I certainly hope this is not the kind of crowd 2hollis cultivates and enables overall.
Despite everything, it was all worth it at 9:00 when Xdinary Heroes took the stage. I’ve been waiting to see this band since their 2021 debut, and it was clear I wasn’t the only Villain who felt that way. As soon as those lights went up and the members took their spot onstage, the mood immediately shifted from indignation to rapture.
They kicked off their set with “FIGHT ME”, the first track off their most recent record Beautiful Mind. Followed immediately by “Break the Brake” gave fans the perfect outlet to release any residual anger. Further highlights included “Strawberry Cake”, a song I praised at great length when I reviewed their debut album back in 2022. However, getting to see it live far exceeded my expectations. Getting to scream “if you seek it/why owe you” at the top of my lungs during “Freakin’ Bad” was another definite highlight, if I only have to choose a few.
One of the really special things about Xdinary Heroes is the dynamic between the members. I would call them the The Breakfast Club of K-rock: six disparate personalities coming together to create something truly special. The leader is their drummer Gunil, a soft-spoken goofball with an unexpected badass streak, best showcased in how he smacked the cymbals at the end of “Money on My Mind” with his bare hands. It was hard for me to take my eyes off O.de, who looked unreal as he played his keyboards with passion and precision. Guitarist and vocalist Gaon had an undeniable boy-next-door charm, while Junhan provided a quiet mystique as he shredded one mind-melting guitar solo after another. I only wish I had been a little closer to the middle of the stage so I could catch more of Jungsu’s onstage charm, but hearing his crystal clear voice round out their sound was nothing short of delightful.
However, if I had to single out just one of the members as their star, it would be Jooyeon with a bullet. He is a born performer, and not just because his hair should be considered a paid actor. Jooyeon has the charisma and sizzling stage presence of a classic rock star front man. Without guest vocalist YB Yoon Do-hyun to scream the chorus to their most hardcore song “iNSTEAD!“, it was Jooyeon who took up the mantle. While screaming isn’t usual forte, the way he roared with his entire chest did that part. Taking your eyes off him is truly an Olympic sport and should be treated as such.
To the audience’s delight, Xdinary Heroes ended up closing up shop with their debut track “Happy Death Day”, an offbeat and macabre take on the birthday song. Considering this was their debut performance on Chicago soil, it felt simultaneously fitting and an unexpected gift. I may have ended my first day of Lollapalooza covered in mud and somewhat burnt by an enraging experience, but it was all worth it for Xdinary Heroes.
As far as first impressions of a festival go, I learned three important lessons: don’t wear white shoes to Lollapalooza, or any music festival, avoid 2hollis crowds like the plague, and don’t miss Xdinary Heroes next time they stop in Chicago.
And that was just the beginning.
ALL PHOTOS WERE TAKEN BY THE AUTHOR AND EDITED BY JONATHAN KNOELL EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE STATED.
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Top 10 sets of Riot Fest 2025
I attended Riot Fest in Chicago, Illinois this year for the second time. This is one of my favorite music festivals that I have ever been to. When I walk through the gates, there is a smile on my face and I immediately feel at home. It is three days of non-stop amazing rock music.
As per any festival, trying to figure out which sets to catch feels like an impossible decision. This year I managed to watch over 20 acts over the three days. Every set I watched was amazing and I loved them for their own unique reasons. However, I managed to narrow it down to my top ten sets from the weekend.
Featured image by Anthony Linh Nguyen with Riot Fest. All photos were taken by official Riot Fest photographers except where otherwise stated.
10. The Beach Boys
Photo Credit: Penny Rae Hawkins for The In-Crowd I had to include The Beach Boys on this list. Not only are they legends and their songs are classics, but also they had John Stamos performing with them. Those who are familiar with the Riot Fest lore know getting John Stamos out to the festival has been an over decade long goal. So, having him on stage was a huge deal. The Beach Boys played all their hits like “Good Vibrations”, “Fun Fun Fun”, “Surfin’ USA”, and “God Only Knows”. Then John Stamos also performed “Forever”, which as someone who grew up watching Full House, had me almost in tears.
9. The Paradox
Photo Credit: Jason Pendleton This was a band that I did not originally have on my list to check out, but I am glad that I did. This up-and-coming pop punk band had such a fun set. The whole band had great energy and were very charismatic. They were joking with the crowd and you could feel their energy radiate off the stage. They also sounded great and had the whole crowd engaged. The band mentioned that they have been a band for less than two years, which you could not tell from their set. The Paradox are definitely a band to watch and I cannot wait to see what they do in the future.
8. Knocked Loose
Photo Credit: Timothy Hiatt Knocked Loose was on my must-see list. Now, I am not a big hardcare listener, but I am familiar with this band. With their crazy rise over the last year, I was excited to check them out. And they certainly did not disappoint. Knocked Loose owned the stage and captivated the crowd from start to finish. Not only was the crowd enormous, they were moving and interacting with their entire set. There were huge mosh pits, crowd surfers, and people head banging. Bryan Garris is a killer vocalist whose screams and vocal performance were on point. The breakdowns were crazy and the whole band sounded amazing.
7. Cliffdiver
Photo Credit: Anthony Linh Nguyen I am going to say it now: if you are not listening to Cliffdiver, you better fix that. This band from Oklahoma is incredible. They were the first set I watched on Saturday and they got me hyped for the day to come. This band writes songs about mental health and you can hear the passion in vocalists’, Joey Duffy and Briana Wright, voices. owned the stage and were not afraid to speak out about what is going on in the world politically. They had me drawn in from the minute they stepped on stage. I was dancing and singing along the whole time. You could tell the whole band loves what they are doing, and that rubbed off on the whole crowd. I was not super familiar with this band beforehand, but I am now a fan.
6. Cobra Starship
Photo Credit: Anthony Linh Nguyen Okay, this next set was for ten-year-old me. Hearing “Good Girls Go Bad” unlocked my inner wannabe party girl. I was too young to be one when this song came out, and probably shouldn’t have been listening to Cobra Starship, but it is what it is. This set was so much fun. I was dancing and getting pushed around and did not care. Everyone was screaming the lyrics and living their best life. The group announced they were disbanding in 2015, so having Cobra Starship back after years of them being away is just what the scene needed. Some fun dance-rock music. They brought the high energy, care-free, sassy music to lift the mood. The one downside was their set did get cut short due to technical difficulties that delayed not only their set but all the previous sets. But they did bring out Travie McCoy from Gym Class Heroes and William Beckett from The Academy Is… for “Snakes On A Plane” so that may have made up for it.
5. Free Throw
Photo Credit: Jason Pendleton Free Throw was a last-minute decision to go check out. They are a band whose name I have heard here and there but have just never dived into. Let me tell you, after watching their set, I am about to do a deep dive. Their midwest emo vibes are right up my alley, they had me in my feels at 2 p.m. and I was obsessed. They captured that emo sound but still put their own style to it. And they had a good part of the crowd singing along, so they definitely have a hefty and growing fan base. Their guitar lines and drum beats draw you in, mixed with Cory Castro’s emotional vocal to create the perfect angsty mood made for Riot Fest.
4. Lambrini Girls
Photo Credit: Rachel Zyzda An all-female group focused on calling out political corruption? Sign me up. The Lambrini Girls are a British duo that are not afraid to speak out on what is happening in the world. Their vocals are laced with anger and frustration. And the crowd joins them in their anger. There is a sea of people unleashing their anger, me included. The whole crowd felt like they were bonding over their pent up feelings of restlessness and exhaustion with everything that they keep reading on the news and seeing happening all around them. Getting to sing with like-minded people was beautiful and the release that was overdue. At the end of the set, the lead singer joined the crowd and everyone moshed together – a representation of a community joining together.
3. Honey Revenge
Photo Credit: Jason Pendleton I will never not stop talking about how good Honey Revenge is and their Riot Fest set was no different. They were the first set of the weekend that was on my must-see list. I was along the barricade for their set and that only made it better. As always, Honey Revenge’s stage presence is electric. The minute the music starts, I am dancing, jumping, and singing along. Devin Papadol’s vocals are on point always and Donny Lloyd is shredding on guitar. They are all moving around the stage and trying to get the whole crowd involved. As always, Devin threw many high kicks. I need to warm up my kicks from my dancer days to join her next time, I swear. You could just tell by the smiles on their faces that they were having the time of their life. They even debuted a new song that is a bit heavier and I cannot wait for it to be released, whenever that may be. By the end of their set, I had no voice and I was ready to rock out the rest of the weekend.
2. Knuckle Puck
Photo Credit: Timothy Hiatt When it was announced that Knuckle Puck would be playing all of Copacetic at Riot Fest this year, I knew I had to be in the crowd. Plus, they are from Chicago, making it even better. Seeing them play that album in full healed my 17-year-old soul. I screamed along to songs like “Evergreen”, “Ponder”, and “Poison Pen Letter”. I may have gotten a little teary-eyed during the outro of “Untitled”, but that’s our secret. As someone who got into the scene in 2016, I listened to Copacetic on repeat during my high school years. Blasting the album after my shift at Applebee’s was a routine for me. So, singing along to every song had me both happy and nostalgic. I have seen this band many times, but this time was special.
1. Green Day
Photo Credit: Anthony Linh Nguyen If there was one set I was catching all weekend, it was Green Day. They have been on my bucket list to see for a decade. They are pop punk legends who have influenced many of my current favorite bands. I even did a whole research presentation on them in college. Needless to say I was excited, and you can believe they did not disappoint. The minute the intro video started and the blow-up of the American Idiot logo rose, I got emotional as I was jumping up and down. When the first notes of “American Idiot” began, I lost my mind. I stood in the very back of the crowd and had the time of my life, dancing around and singing at the top of my lungs. The band itself sounded fantastic. Their energy was unbeatable. Billie Joe Armstrong’s vocals were incredible, Tré Cool killed it on the drums as per usual, and Mike Dirnt nailed the bass lines. Hearing songs like “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” made me nostalgic about singing this song in the car as a child. Rocking out to “Holiday” and “Basket Case” was amazing. Of course, ending on “Good Riddance” was beautiful and had me swaying while wiping tears from my eyes. They were the perfect set to end the weekend.
Riot Fest was an incredible weekend. It is three days where you are surrounded by so much music and tune out everything else going on in the world. Every set of the weekend killed it, but these were my personal favorites of the weekend.
You can find more of our Riot Fest coverage on all our social media pages. And if you also attended Riot Fest this year, let us know who your favorite sets of the weekend were!
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I Think I’ve Been Here Before – A Song For Every Mood
Released on September 19, Arrows in Action’s anticipated LP I Think I’ve Been Here Before has a song for every mood and everyone. This album follows a storyline of reminiscing and looking back on the time since the band formed in 2017. Featuring heavy influence from boy bands of the 90s and 2000s.
This album had me in my feels. Being taken along on an emotional rollercoaster. Every song has a perfect moment when the song could be a soundtrack to your life. BUT, the first listen through MUST be in order (Spotify shuffle peeps I feel your pain but trust me this time it is a must).
“Celebration”: This is your morning drive to work song when you need a celebratory vibe to start your day.
“Feel It Again”: This is the peak pre-game song. Getting ready to go out? Throw this on as your getting ready to head out or just dance around in your pajamas. This song encourages you to “Feel it Again” which is exactly what it made me do. This song brought back memories of sleepovers and getting ready to go out with my best friends.
“Hello Sunlight”: Just got a new job? Got some good news? Gone through a rough couple months and finally seeing the sunlight? This is the song to celebrate the sun peeking out through the clouds. Chant and clap along to the chorus. Hello Sunlight is perfect for the upcoming dreary months as a pick me up.
“Light Like You”: It’s about to be cuffing season y’all. That addictive feeling of new love and the excitement of meeting a new person. Being fully present in the moment. This is that song. I can’t help but bee bop along to this song as I am listening and writing.
“Lost in the Moment”: This can only be described as the next stage after “Light like You”. A more melodic vibe, this song feels like begging the fictional person AIA is talking about in light like you to stay and leave. This is the honeymoon phase: Getting lost in the moment and talking till 5 in the morning. The song has a feel of almost uncertainty to it.
“Deja Vu”: This takes me to a place of longing for a person you are far from or even coming back to a place where you have memories. The feel of being back somewhere and feeling like you’ve been here before. And that nothing matters more than living in the moment right then.
“Empty Canvas”: And we’ve got dancy vibes again! This is a saucy song about getting lost in someone and loving how someone sees you as art and wanting them to make their mark on you.
“Cheekbones”: This is the PERFECT song for a Halloween party playlist. Sexy vamp vibes will take you to a place only she knows.
“Corner of Your Mind”: When you’re missing that one person, listen to this song instead of sending the 2 am “u up” text. This will get you in your feels without actually backsliding.
“Nobody Told Me”: When you need to feel understood about the loneliness that can be felt in your 20s, this is the song that will make your feeling feel heard. Newly in my quarter life crisis era, adulting is hard y’all. Listen to this song and I promise you will feel validated. Arrows in Action put my feelings into a catchy song.
“Stay Awake”: Closing out the album with “Stay Awake” feels very intentional You truly never have to say goodbye because you will always have your memories that you can learn from and enjoy!
I Think I’ve Been Here Before is an album that feels like it can go in a circle. You can listen to it from start to finish again and again and catch something different every time.
“Stay Awake” being the final track on the LP and “Celebration” being the first truly feels like a story is being told.
Want to hear more of our thoughts about part one of this album check out Alicia Kobasic’s articles here!
Arrows in Action will be touring with The Home Team this fall on a nearly sold out tour! Will we see you there? More information can be found here.
Let us know what song you vibe with most in the comments!
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Yungblud and Aerosmith announce collaboration EP “One More Time”
On September 17, Rock legends Aerosmith and one of rock’s rising stars Yungblud announced a new collaborative EP called One More Time due out November 21. The first track titled “My Only Angel” releases this Friday, September 19.
The collaboration has been hinted at over the last few weeks with social media posts, including a TikTok where Yungblud and Steven Tyler in a studio space with Tyler saying “We’ve got a secret and nobody knows it”. Yungblud also posted a carousel on Instagram with one photo featuring sheet music with “Yungblud/Aerosmith” across the top. Then Monday, September 15, both artists posted a video with Tyler and Yungblud singing together in the studio. The caption read “My Only Angel” with a pre-save link being shared.
The EP consists of five songs. The four other songs include “Problems”, “Wild Woman”, “A Thousand Days” and a 2025 mix of Aerosmith’s “Back In The Saddle”.
This announcement came less than two weeks after the two joined forces with Joe Perry and Nuno Bettencourt for an Ozzy Osbourne tribute at the VMAs on September 7.
One More Time is now available for pre-save and pre-order now. Fans are able to pre-order vinyls and CDs, as well as wearable merchandise like t-shirts, hats, and sweatshirts. Everything can be found on both bands’ official websites and official social media accounts.
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BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT spreads their wings and soar with WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO?
BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT’S newest album WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO? has all of us in our emotions while we dance our hearts out – and we are here for it.
BSD’s dynamic release, dropped September 5, soars to new heights — and it’s taking you along for the ride. While taking some summer classes on the iDobi Summer School Tour, BSD teased us all with “SEX APPEAL”, “FEVER” and “ON YOUR LIPS”. This album plays with romantic dance vibes that are definitely sexy. You can hear every ounce of work put into the writing and music as you explore all fourteen tracks. It is an emotional journey as we fall in love, have hearts broken, ripped out and stomped on, only to slowly work through the emotions of learning to be okay again.
So many of the songs make you want to scream along while dancing, like “XXX” & “TWO OF US”. However, none of these songs make you want to let loose and dance your emotions out more than when you hear “daddy don’t cry so I’m dancing my tears away”. Alas, love isn’t always forever as “ADELINE” makes us ask if love was actually worth it all along. With lyrics like “Throw away the photographs/Of memories we never had/You’re over it/Don’t rub it in”, this track that explores the moments following a painful break up in excruciating detail. Adeline, while we’re so thankful for this song, why? Just why?Following “ADELINE”, the song “CITY NEVER SLEEPS” is the perfect soundtrack to those early moments of healing. The conflicting lyrics and emotions bounce between “The city never sleeps/I guess I’ll see her in my dreams” and “I die when we kiss ya ya/You’re my apocalypse ya ya”. Then clarity hits with “MADONNA”, a solid diss track. Every song after those seems to gain more confidence as the heartbreak heals. That confidence hit a high with the catchy track “LMTFA” that sets boundaries by singing “Go home/Leave me the fuck alone”. The album comes to a satisfying close with a titular track contemplating the parts of yourself lost after a breakup and the parts that are resurfacing.
While a lot of music focuses on the highs and lows of relationships, BSD took the time to work through the entire process of becoming yourself again. The album itself hits some massive highs with only one weaker song, “SICK PUPPY”. The music is great but the lyrics don’t seem to sit right with some odd metaphors, such as “Girl I’m a real sick puppy/I’m ‘an always be a dog”. It could be noted that while the song just doesn’t quite hit the same mark as the rest of the album, its placement shortly before “ADELINE” does seem reminiscent to that weird period when a break up is starting to be considered.Whether you’ve on the same emotional roller coaster as BSD or not, the entire album is one hell of a ride.
You can hear some of the new tracks on BSD’s current tour while on tour with Blink-182, Alkaline Trio and letlive as well as at Van’s Warped Tour Orlando.If you’re not singing “LMTFA” like us, what tracks do you have stuck in your head? Did you find the sampled track of another famous bop? Let us know in the comments!
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Let Me Tell You About Homestuck (Animated)
Pre-2014 Tumblr, some of the earliest and most vocal fans of the webcomic Homestuck, would have exploded in joy at this news. Over 15 years since its debut, fans are more divided.
On August 9, 2025, the internet let out a collective noise of confusion at the announcement of Vivziepop’s new studio Spindleroo adapting the Sisyphean behemoth. One commenter went so far as to congratulate the team on taking on “a 500 episode series”.
It is an ambitious way to start a new studio to be sure. Vivziepop’s long-standing career as an animator impresario can hardly be understated, coming to some notoriety with a 2012 animated music video to Ke$ha’s “Die Young”. She exploded in popularity with the twin successes of Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss in 2019, the former of which was picked up for a full series by A24 and released on Prime Video while the latter became a YouTube powerhouse. Seeing them take on Homestuck, however, some fans worried that something may be lost in adaptation or diluted by the Vivziepop art style, even if the teams involved seem to be working extremely close together. Toby Fox himself, formerly a major contributor to Homestuck and critically-acclaimed creator of the Undertale franchise, is voicing main character John Egbert.
Once called The Ulysses of the Internet, Andrew Hussie’s long-running yarn about a boy and his friends playing an apocalyptic game was, at its height, unlike anything else online. Even calling it a webcomic is a little reductive, as its multi-media storytelling is unmatched in its variety and complexity. It includes, or included, volumes of still images, animated GIFs, short animated films, hours of music, walls of text, Adobe Flash games, separate semi-fan works of various degrees of canon, printed volumes and so much more. Styled like an isometric Sierra adventure game and initially written with the whims of a now-defunct forum guiding portions of the story, Homestuck was able to pull in a wide fanbase with its off-beat and thoroughly late-00’s energy. There is plenty to look forward to as the trailer shows many scenes dynamically re-imagined from the first two acts of the comic, but will it live up to expectations? I guess we will have to just click [S] ==> to find out.*
Nearly a decade since the comic said “The End,” there have been a number of strange attempts by Andrew Hussie and associates to sequelize the comic or continue the brand. From the bizarre Meat or Candy epilogue to the fan-made but loosely canon Homestuck 2 and the critically acclaimed but perilously developed Hiveswap series of video games, efforts to keep Homestuck alive have been historically divisive but persisted nonetheless. Each one of these efforts were met with some kind of delay or backlash, causing historic rifts in a fandom for what was once such a fervently loved property. With the death of Flash in 2020, much of the original comic itself is now unreadable, causing atrophy to set in – a process that sped up with the takedown of The Unofficial Homestuck Collection, a fan-based effort to preserve the comic as originally published.
No firm date has been set for the release of “Homestuck the Animated Pilot,” but rest assured, as soon as it does, you can read more about it on The In-Crowd.
In the meantime, check out the full trailer below:
*Editor’s Note: [S]==> was the signal to readers of the comic that the next page had sound.
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OP-ED: Ghost “Skeletour” Brings True Darkness to Venues
While our intrepid editor in chief here at The In-Crowd was valiantly covering Lollapalooza this year, a secondary event also caught our eye that was worth reporting on. J. M. Knoell, our photo editor, was on the scene in Rosemont on August 1, but uncharacteristically lacking in photographs to publish.
Ghost is a band that needs little in the way of introduction if you are already in the right circles. Their combination of dark metal influences, spiritual overtones, theatricality, and embrace of the camp elements in alternative scenes sets them apart from any artist one might call a contemporary. Perhaps my favorite description of Ghost’s sound is “Scooby-Doo Metal“, but that hardly does the act justice. I like to think of them as what happens if Judas Priest ate REM. Often controversial, probably blasphemous, Ghost does their show in the way the moms of the Satanic Panic would be vaporized by. They do not perform songs, they perform rituals.
Dramatic language aside, Ghost is a unique act worth experiencing. Allstate Arena was already surrounded by a sea of cars when we arrived, managed by a robust and well-seasoned group of staff. This was very necessary, as the venue pushed against its occupant capacity and cars were creatively cordoned off into improvised subdivisions in the wider areas of the lot. Once inside the sports stadium, however, we were greeted by the usual security and the unusual measure placed for this show: all phones were to be placed in a tamper-proof security bag that could only be opened by venue staff wielding industrial magnets. No videos, photos, or recordings could be taken.
Hurrying to our seats, the opening of “Peacefield” began to be played from behind a gigantic black curtain. White light spilled out from within, beckoning in the audience until, with a mighty crack of pyrotechnics, the curtain fell. The revealed stage had a raised semicircle of platforms, on which the drummer, keyboards, and backing vocalists were stationed, as well as several strategically placed special effects boxes. The main concourse would be wandered and surveyed like predators by the guitarists and front man, the way He intended.
The Skeletour is a world tour that is in support of Ghost’s most recent album, Skeletá, and introduces front man Tobias Forge’s most recent persona, Papa V Perpetua, who is styled in purple and black papal robes, complete with silver scapulae and a spinal column that concludes in a pointed tail, and corpse paint. While the characterization of this imposing figure still appears to be in flux, the performing of several hits were heightened by Ghost’s unwavering dedication to stage craft. The stage was dominated by a lighting rig above the performers heads that formed the shape of an upside down Catholic cross that would change elevation and color as scenes called. “Call Me Little Sunshine” featured Perpetua suspended by wire behind the drum kit in an impossibly long robe while the displays showed a kaleidoscopic montage of the Papa’s face.
After a scene change marked by another pop of pyrotechnics and a blackout, the next song, “The Future Is A Foreign Land” was introduced by Forge with a message of hope, acknowledging that outside the walls of this spell, the world is going through tumultuous times. Being reminded of the world outside reminded me that everybody’s phone is locked up, which caused me to look over the crowd and it struck me for the first time that no one was recording this. This moment that everybody is connected by is being done in a true darkness, the likes of which has not been seen since the wide adoption of cellphones at the beginning of the new millennium. When the stage goes dark next, so does the rest of the venue, with the occasional light up bracelet, which seems to be mimicking the advent of the K-pop light stick provided by the merchandise table, piercing the inky void. To see a stadium with not a single cell phone light go completely dark like this is an experience I can only describe as holy. Real reverence is achieved for the artists because no one is distracted by a little magic rectangle. I honestly wish more bands and artists would do this.
The stage craft and projections continued to be as lavish throughout the performance, at one point building stained glass windows to the tune of “He Is,” but nothing could have prepared me for the transition from the angelic and praising to the intentional tonal whiplash of projecting the fiery lakes of Hell during “Rats”. The aforementioned special effects boxes spewed jets of yellow flame to intensify the visuals that were so hot it could be felt on the second-story balcony where I was sitting. I can only imagine how that must feel on stage in the full-body costumes of the Unnamed Ghouls, whether they were the more minimalist body stocking of the backup vocalists or the more enclosed faux-suits of the guitarists. No matter what, though, a spectacle was made.
Nearing the end, the performance of “Mummy Dust” saw confetti cannons shot off, distributing personalized $666 dollar bills with Tobias Forge’s face on them, which quickly became cherished souvenirs for concert goers in the closest pits. As the show began to wind down towards its encores, the front man went on extended speeches about the fine work done by the stage crew and venue staff, as well they should be thanked. This show, as described by one person I talked to, is not a concert, it is a stage play with music as its backbone, and it lives or dies by its crew.
It was also pointed out that one of the guitarists had injured his foot and had performed the whole show in a medical boot after “kicking too many asses.” Descriptions rarely come so perfectly formed, so I will conclude that this show kicked so much ass, injuries to the kicker were a serious possibility.
Tickets are still available for the remaining North American stops in The Skeletour, but it will come to an end on September 25th.
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ATEEZ brings the “Fantasy” to Wrigley Field
In the midst of a scorching Chicago summer, ATEEZ still found a way to up the heat.
On July 26, the eight-member K-Pop phenomenon brought their ATEEZ 2025 WORLD TOUR [IN YOUR FANTASY] to the one-and-only Wrigley Field. This iconic ballpark has hosted thousands of events, including but certainly not limited to Stray Kids <dominATE> World Tour exactly one month prior on June 26.
No matter the venue, If you ask me, where you sit shouldn’t make or break your experience. Sat in section 12, I had a far but direct view of the stage, which was primo in several ways. While I was far away, I could still see the members to some extent without the necessity of the giant screens that flanked the stage. The main downside to someone sitting in my section, unfortunately, was the protective netting that surrounds it. This absolutely makes sense for a baseball field, but it unfortunately offers a somewhat obstructed view for what are otherwise some of the best seats in the house. That being said, if only to come back with better photos, I’ll definitely look into balcony or floor seats for my next visit to Wrigley Field.
Not even netting built to prevent getting beaned with a baseball could ruin this view! ATEEZ released their most recent album Golden Hour: Part 3: In Your Fantasy Edition, a repackage of the EP they released on June 13, on July 11. This very tour kicked off in Tacoma, WA less than a month later on July 30. I’ve long suspected that ATEEZ doesn’t sleep, and that impression was not helped by this tight release schedule. However, there was nothing sleepy about this concert. Their hard work and passion was, as always, nothing short of incredible. While there was a vocal backing track present during the songs, it felt more like an enhancement than a crutch. Their microphones were still obviously on, and some of the most satisfying moments came whenever a member would pull the mic away just so show off that fact.
They opened their set with back-to-back bangers, kicking things off with “BOUNCY (K-Hot Chili Peppers)” and “Fireworks (I’m the One)”. The crowd was already buzzing when ATEEZ music videos started playing on the screens ahead of the concert, but Wrigley Field all but exploded when the members finally emerged with their electric stage presence and infectious energy. Even so, nothing could’ve prepared fans for the live show that was to come.
Pictured (from left): San, Mingi and Hongjoong during “Fireworks (I’m the One)”. If ATINY’s fantasy is one of the most suggestive stadium shows I’ve ever witnessed, this fandom got it in spades. Each of the group’s eight members had a solo performance, and many of them pulsed with barely-contained sexuality. Seonghwa ended his performance of “Skin” wearing scraps of fabric masquerading as a cropped halter top, the hands of backup dancers curled around his throat and an expression of post-coital bliss. Mingi’s “ROAR” blasted “presumptuous critics and self-righteous moralists” with a combination of unmasked aggression and dominance, leading the crowd in barks more than once. The suggestive choreography of San’s “Creep” and the subtly seductive “Slide to Me” by Yunho weren’t nearly as aggressive, but every bit as enticing.
This is to say nothing of the group performances, which also had many fans locked in a display of sexual dominance. Sat at a long table covered by a red tablecloth, “Man On Fire” established the power dynamic early on. Every expression and movement, whether it was San dragging his fingers over the table’s surface or Seonghwa slowly pulling his thumb across his bottom lip, painted a picture of “unstoppable desire”. Even when they were thrown in cages for “Outlaw”, every one of their expressions exuded danger. The imagery didn’t code them as prisoners so much as feral animals, and god help everyone when they were unleashed.
Seonghwa shows more than just “Skin” during his solo performance. However, not every moment of the show was tailor-made to turn you on. Hongjoong turned the stadium into a rave for “NO.1”, complete with a live DJ set leading in and proving there really isn’t anything he can’t do. Jongho’s performance of “To Be Your Light” was nothing less than a showcase of his stunning vocal prowess, technique and passion. Fan-favorite ballad “Turbulence” gave ATINY a chance to breathe with its slower tempo and heartfelt lyrics about making it through life’s difficulties.
Most of the setlist was made up of songs from the new album, which released just over two weeks before the concert, which isn’t a lot of time to get to know the material no matter how excellent. Luckily, there were still better-known tracks in the mix. Yeosang’s enigmatic solo led directly into “Guerrilla” with a flare held high above his head. If there’s anything ATEEZ can count on ATINY for, it’s their readiness when it comes time to “break the wall”. Later in the set, “WORK” and “Ice on My Teeth” were performed back-to-back with unmatched swagger and style. Naturally, the main set ended with the title track from their most recent album: “In Your Fantasy”.
Seonghwa flexes uninhibited confidence and his muscles during “Lemon Drop”. I’m going to say it: “In Your Fantasy” is the hottest K-Pop track to come out since VIXX released “Chained Up” back in 2015. Less than one month prior, ATEEZ released “Lemon Drop”, and the two back-to-back singles feel intentionally diametrically opposed. “Lemon Drop” is a club-ready summer jam that got ATINY sweating. Meanwhile, “In Your Fantasy” takes fans somewhere much more salacious. The track, which is entirely in English, lets you know what it is from the first words that come from Yunho’s mouth: “I know what you into/baby got a type.” But the lyrics immediately heat up from there: “I could be gentle/but that ain’t what you like”.
The wordplay on this track is just top tier, from the way Hongjoong utilizes the homonym “rush” on the second verse to Mingi wrapping things up by rhyming “lose it for ” with “Lucifer”. Speaking of Mingi, his rap delivery on this track is nothing short of malevolent. It’s wicked how he spits lines like “Good girl, now you’re not so sure” and “Oh honey, I ain’t your savior”.
Both “Lemon Drop” and “In Your Fantasy” spent a week on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 69 and 68 respectively, and that didn’t go unacknowledged. Right at the end of the show, Hongjoong thanked the entire crowd for helping with that achievement. The only thing that may be more impressive than ATEEZ’s stage craft, coordination and sheer talent is the love and appreciation they have for their fans. Especially coming from a smaller company like KQ Entertainment, they’ve come a long way from when Hongjoong was recording guide tracks in a car.
ATEEZ’s captain Hongjoong shares heartfelt words with beloved ATINY. As if all that wasn’t enough to keep ATINY satisfied, they performed not one but two encores. The first began with a medley of “Say My Name/THANXX/TO THE BEAT/Good Lil Boy/Crazy Form”, keeping up the momentum set by the main set. After a heartfelt performance of “Now this house ain’t a home” and “Enough”, ATEEZ sent fans home on a high note with “The Real”.
One last blast of confetti and a fireworks display later, Jongho bid us good night with a statement that amounted to: “Okay, for real this time, go home”.
Before Jongho’s message, Mingi raised a triumphant fist beneath a shower of fireworks. I’ve always said the best argument for being a fan of ATEEZ, if not a full-blown ATINY, is their live show. At Wrigley Field, they continued to prove me right with their hottest concert yet.
If you’d like to catch ATEEZ on tour, remaining dates and tickets can be found here.
All photos were taken by Penny Rae Hawkins and edited by Jonathan Knoell.
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Beauty School Dropout talk new single, making of their debut album and fan support
Beauty School Dropout is gearing up for a jam packed and exciting second half of 2025.
The L.A. based rock group are currently on the Idobi Summer School Tour, just dropped their newest single “Sex Appeal” and announced their debut album WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO? . The band is also scheduled to hit the stage at Van’s Warped Tour Long Beach and Orlando, and are hitting the road with Blink-182, Alkaline Trio and letlive. Needless to say, the group is just getting started.
Music Manager Alicia Kobasic and Social Media Manager Skylar Bridgeforth spoke with the band about their new album, upcoming shows, musical inspirations and more. You can check out their conversation with Beauty School Dropout below.
photo credit: Natasha Austrich Congrats on the new single “SEX APPEAL”! This is the third single off of your upcoming album WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO? How do you feel this song encapsulates the overall sound and theme of the album?
“Sex Appeal” is an exciting leap for us in a new direction that we haven’t quite tapped into in the past. It’s a bit slower, sexier and moodier all around. I think of it like a little taste of one of the album’s many personalities, which is a fun way for us to tease what’s coming next while getting a gauge of how people might receive this side of us.
Did you have any specific inspirations or concepts you wanted to make sure portrayed in the music video for “SEX APPEAL” ?
Mostly the tumblr era. That was my escapism as a teenager so I wanted to create something for my younger self to be inspired by. I grew up working as a PA on cinematic photography sets from the age of 13 and was always inspired by films like Drive, A Place Beyond the Pines, Enter the Void, etc.
You worked with Neal Avron on your album. He has worked with amazing bands like Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park, and Twenty One Pilots. What was that experience like? Did you learn anything that you plan to take with you as you work on future projects?
Working with Neal Avron was an absolute dream. If there is one thing that we learned, it is patience. He really emphasized the importance of finding unique tones and performing the best takes possible, as raw as possible. I know that sounds obvious, but everything is so easy to manicure in the DAW now that sometimes it’s easier to get an okay take and chop it into something “better” than getting something that is singularly amazing. That is a part of the process I think we will take with us into all our future works.
When you went in to start working on the album, was there anything you did differently or wanted to change from when you made WE MADE PLANS AND GOD LAUGHED and READY TO EAT?
We were pretty deliberate in taking our time. The last two projects we had rushed to the finish line while we were on the road or in between all the obstacles of getting this band off the ground. This time we made absolutely sure that our only focus from the inception of the album to its final masters was that we were focusing on this project and nothing else. It allowed us to be a lot more concise about our creative decision making/songwriting and I believe that will translate when you get to hear this album in full.
Who or what was your biggest inspiration for WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO? Did any of the bands or artists you grew up listening to or currently listen to influence the record?
We had many inspos for this album, but even more so than sonically we took the approach of looking at groups that built a world with their sound. Bands like The Killers, Depeche Mode, Deftones, where even if you don’t know many of their songs you can identify them by their sound alone. We wanted to land on something that people might consider BSD’s Staple sound.
You guys have a full touring schedule for the year with Warped Tour, Idobi Summer School Tour, tour dates with Blink-182 and Letlive. How excited are you guys for the live shows?
The live show is what we live for. One of the hardest parts of making this album was committing to staying in the studio the whole time, but now that we are back on the road we are ecstatic to get to breathe life into these songs again.
What songs are you most excited to play live during your upcoming shows?
All of them.
What songs on WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO? Are you most excited for the fans to hear? Are there any songs that you think will surprise fans?
Again, all of them. This album is meant to be experienced in full. There are so many personalities and new sonics that we have never touched before I’m confident there are going to be a group of songs people will be surprised by but if I had to pick the 3 biggest ones it’s probably “Madonna”, “Daddy Don’t Cry” and the title track off the album.
The support of your fans is incredible. What does having the support online and at the shows mean to you? Are there any fan interactions that stand out in particular?
It means everything to us. We would be nothing without our fans. It’s becoming more and more common that we hear these stories about how our music has helped people get out of their darkest times and “saved their lives”. That is what this stuff is about you know? I think music saved us all from ourselves one way or another. Being able to give that back to our fans is one of the most rewarding feelings there is.
You have collaborated with many artists from Mark Hoppus, Mod Sun, and jxdn. If you could collaborate with any band or artist, who would be your dream collab?
The list goes on but to keep it short: Turnstile, 2hollis, Skrillex, and letlive.
When people listen to WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTERFLIES GO? what do you hope people feel or take away from the album after their first listen or after they have listened to it a few times?
This album as a whole is meant to be the sonic representation of what it feels like to fall in love and have your heart broken. Every bit exciting as it is painful. I hope people feel seen and heard by its honesty.
Anything else you would like to add or shout out?
Shout out to all the dropouts. We love you guys so much and can’t wait to watch how this community blossoms. ❤
You can stream Beauty School Dropout on all major streaming platforms. WHERE DID ALL THE BUTTEFLIES GO? is out on September 5. You can pre-order the album now on their official website.
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From amazing to unforgettable: ranking every set I saw at Warped Tour D.C.
I was lucky enough to attend the very first weekend of the new revamped Vans Warped Tour in Washington D.C. It was two days full of non-stop music from both Warped Tour veterans and rookies.
With six stages and a totally stacked line-up, trying to see every artist you want to see is impossible. So, even though you have a list of every band you want to see, you are going to have to make some cuts once you get there and see the schedule. That may include only watching half of some sets, or prioritizing acts you haven’t seen before or haven’t seen in a while.
I definitely had to make some hard cuts while deciding my plan for each day of Warped Tour, especially on Sunday. That day in particular had so many bands I wanted to see. Let’s just say, I didn’t have many breaks.
Check out my ranking of every set I saw at Warped Tour D.C. Now, keep in mind every set I saw was fantastic. Not one disappointed me. This was a hard ranking and it is based on my weekend as a whole. I would recommend you go see any of the artists on this list.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
The first honorable mention is Sueco. We had plans to watch the majority of his set but we only ended up watching the intro and about two songs. We left earlier than we planned to go get in line for Scene Queen’s signing that was scheduled to happen shortly after his set. And good thing we left when we did because the line ended up getting extremely long and may have not been able to get in if we waited until the end of his set. His intro of being brought on stage in a coffin was so sick and he sounded great from what we did hear.
The next honorable mention is Memphis Mayfire. They played while we were waiting for Yung Gravy. I listened in and sort of paid attention. However, the rain and trying to find a position that caused my feet to not be in pain caused me to fully take in their set. What I did take in was great. They have been around forever and are definitely Warped veterans.
16. RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus were not a band set in any means. I just got to the set late and the only song I knew was “Face Down” which I screamed at the top of my lungs. I just did not know enough of the set to rank it higher.
15. YUNG GRAVY
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic When I saw Yung Gravy on the line-up I was a little shocked. I definitely did not feel like he fit the vibe of the rest of the acts playing the weekend. But I decided to check out his set. We caught about half of his set in the rain Sunday night before heading out to get a good spot for the last act of the weekend. He had good energy and I knew most of the songs. I was overall just not totally into his set and the biggest fan of his music.
14. MILLIONAIRES
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic Another Warped Tour veteran group, Millionaires kicked off my Sunday. Their set was fun and had me starting off my day dancing and singing along. I did not know the majority of their songs, which knocked them down some spots on my ranking. However, I did have fun and got my blood flowing for the jam packed day. I however was not fully awake and was still getting my game plan for the day during the performance. So, I couldn’t rank them higher. However, I would check out a future set of theirs and be fully invested.
13. CARTEL
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic Now, Cartel has been around forever but I was not familiar with them until they were on the line-up. I had heard of the name and had heard a song here and there, but did not do a deep dive until I was preparing for Warped Tour. Don’t hate me, I was late to the emo scene okay. I listened to their set while I was camping out for The Maine, and really enjoyed their set. I was jamming along and will definitely be listening to more of Cartel’s music.
12. RAIN CITY DRIVE
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic This was the first set we actually watched of the weekend. We sat down and were waiting for Fever 333 and Rain City Drive was playing on the stage before them. They sounded fantastic, and commanded the crowd. It seemed like many people knew their music and were excited to see them play. I enjoyed their set and am for sure looking forward to seeing them again on The Summer School Tour and getting more into their music.
11. NOTHING, NOWHERE
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic This was a bit of a last minute set for me. I was not quite sure if I was going to make it to his set, but I managed to make it fit into my schedule and was so excited. I wanted to see him when he was in Cleveland earlier this year, but did not manage to make it to the show. He sounded amazing, the crowd was huge, moshing, and crowd surfing. He commanded the stage and got my body moving and ready for the second half of the day. Even though the rain started to come down, that did not stop him. I definitely need to see him the next time he comes into town, because I went from a casual fan, to a full blown fan.
10. POINT NORTH
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic These guys were up right after Nothing, Nowhere and the rain was fully coming down. But that did not prevent this duo from killing it. Their energy was high from the moment they stepped foot on stage. People had the mosh pit moving and crowd surfers going. I knew a handful of songs and when they played “Into The Dark” I got transported back to college and blasting that song walking to class. I pulled the lyrics from the back of my mind. I had my poncho on and was headbanging and rocking out the whole time. And I met them earlier in the day and they were super sweet. So, that was also a bonus. More of their music is being added to my playlist as we speak.
9. SOPHIE POWERS
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic If you haven’t checked out Sophie Powers, you might want to get on that. She mixes hyperpop and rock music to create her own unique sound. Her songs constantly get stuck in my head and are my go to for singing in the car, the shower, and anywhere I can. This was my third time seeing her, and she just keeps getting better. She is getting more comfortable on stage, and knows how to get the crowd going. Her set was so fun and I did not want it to end. Her crowd was smaller, but she had every single person with her and ready to have fun. When she played “U Love It”, “Obsessed”, and “Better On Mute” I was screaming the lyrics. And she debuted her new song “head empty, no thoughts” which got me so excited for its release. I cannot wait to see what else she has she does and am ready to see her at a headline show.
8. HEART ATTACK MAN
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic You know I had to support my fellow Clevelanders. Heart Attack Man has been a band I have been following for years and to see their growth has been crazy. Whenever I have the chance to see them, I have to catch their set. They always kill it. Their classic pop punk energy is exactly what the crowd needs to get moving and ready for the day. And seeing how big of a crowd they got was crazy. It warmed my little Cleveland heart. I was dancing, doing the classic pop punk finger point as I sang, and just took it all in. Their energy screamed Warped Tour. Heart Attack Mans brings the classic pop punk sound, but makes it feel more modern. Which is exactly what this new version of Warped Tour is. It brings the classic Warped Tour energy, but makes it fit into 2025. If these guys aren’t on your radar, definitely give them a listen.
7. MAGNOLIA PARK
Photo Credit: Magnolia Park Magnolia Park closed out the Arrow Stage Saturday night and they always kill it. The minute they walk on stage they are calling for a circle pit and don’t let anyone stand still. They played “Omen”, “Animal”, and “Misfit” which are some of my favorites. The drums, guitar riffs, and screams all sounded amazing. I just saw these guys play a sold out show in Cleveland so not getting the perfect view and missing the end of their set was alright. But if you get the chance to see them at Long Beach or Orlando Warped stops, definitely check them out.
6. ICE NINE KILLS
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic This band has been on my bucket list to see for a while. So, when they were announced to be playing I knew I had to make it to their set. Now, I do not know all their songs, but seeing clips of their shows online, I knew it would be a crazy set. And they definitely did not disappoint. Seeing all the theatrics with the vocals, actors, and effects was so cool to see; and I am not even a horror movie fan. I just got to chill in the back and observe the whole set and take it all in. It was cool to see all the longtime fans get into the set and sing along to all their lyrics. As someone who is usually a dedicated fan, I don’t often get to observe, so that was definitely fun to be on the other side. Plus, their set was different from the others I saw, so it deserves this high spot on my ranking.
5. STATE CHAMPS
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic I couldn’t go to Warped Tour and not see State Champs. I have been a fan of this band for almost 10 years and they never disappoint. Everytime I see them, they always kill it. I jam out to all of the 2010’s pop punk classics like “Elevated” and “All You Are Is History” and their newer songs like “Silver Cloud” and “Everybody But You”. State Champs was also the very first band I saw play at the only Warped Tour I went to in 2018; so it was a no-brainer to bring it full circle and see them play the Warped Tour revival. Plus, they brought out Greg James from Boys Like Girls, so that was pretty cool. So, if you are looking for a solid, fun set at the next two weekends, add them to your list.
4. BOYS LIKE GIRLS
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic This set was all about nostalgia for me. I have never seen Boys Like Girls, and I was not going to miss them. Screaming along to “The Great Escape”, “Love Drunk” , and “Two is Better Than One” was a dream come true. Those songs were staples of my early teen years and are ingrained into my brain. Skylar and I stood towards the back of the VIP viewing area, danced like maniacs and sang our hearts out. Plus, they brought out Brendan Abernathy to play “Married In A Year” that had been going viral on Tiktok, then they played “The Great Escape” together. What a shocking guest to wrap up another bucket list set.
3. FEVER 333
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic If there was any set that was perfect to see this weekend, this was it. Not only because it was in Washington D.C., it was also the same weekend as Trump’s birthday and military parade. And if you are not familiar with Fever 333, their music is heavily focused around social and political issues the world is facing. Their set was the first full set of the weekend I watched and it got me raging in and psyched for the rest of the acts. Screaming along to every song let me release all my bent up anger surrounded by others who had the same anger. Plus, seeing Jason Butler climb up the speaker, rip off his shirt and run along the barricade was pretty cool. Their set exceeded my expectations and was the perfect start to my weekend.
2. THE MAINE
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic The Maine will always hold a special place in my heart. When I listen to their music, I am taken back to a time when I first heard the songs for the first time. In particular their albums American Candy, Lovely Little Lonely, and You Are OK. So, seeing their set was an emotional one for me. I snagged a spot on the barricade and probably lost my voice singing along to every song. They sang all my favorites like “Am I Pretty”, “Loved You A Little”, “Touch” and “Black Butterflies and Deja Vu”. I was locked in to their entire set and did not want it to end. They are a veteran act that are made for the Warped Tour stage.. Everyone in the audience was singing, dancing and was totally in the moment. I cannot wait to see them again. And I may have cried a little bit. Maybe I didn’t. You will never know.
1. SCENE QUEEN
Photo Credit: Alicia Kobasic To be honest, I kind of knew she would be my number one from the start. Scene Queen was number one on my must-see sets of the weekend. And she definitely lived up to my expectations. It was the very last set of the weekend, and it was the perfect way to end it. There was something beautiful about the very last song played at Warped Tour being “18+” and having a crowd of people scream about the scene taking advantage of young girls. Her set was cut short due to technical difficulties, but she packed in all the hits like “Pink Barbie Band-Aid”, “Pink Rover”, “Pink Panther” and “Finger”. It was downpouring, people were crowd surfing, the twerkle pit was open, and the crowd was loud. Being barricade for one of my favorite artists was just what I needed to close the weekend. Plus, I met her earlier in the day and she is so sweet and a fellow North East Ohio native, so that is the cherry on top.
Every set was amazing and I got to see so many amazing bands, while also making some cuts. Trust me, there were so many other sets I wanted to see but could not fit into my schedule. It was tough to narrow it down to just these 16.
If you were also at Warped Tour D.C., let us know your favorite sets of the weekend. And if you are going to Long Beach or Orlando, let us know what sets you are most excited for.
Curious about my overall thoughts on the whole weekend? Check out my full review here.
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