It was an emo and pop-punk dream come true with the bill that came through Philly: State Champs, Knuckle Puck, Meet Me at the Altar, and Daisy Grenade. What started as a chilly night quickly got toasty with the heat these bands brought.

The night started off with Daisy Grenade, two gorgeous ladies who bring power-punk bubble grunge to a whole new level of crazy enjoyment. From New York, NY, they’ve quickly gained a following with catchy but morbid bops while also having relatable lyrics about topics ranging from relationships to struggles of life as a female. I first caught them at Sad Summer Fest earlier this year, and these ballads quickly grabbed me as this high-energy duo with their full band was nonstop on stage. They also covered Pierce the Veils’ “King For A Day,” showing some of their versatility and inspiration behind their music. They constantly interacted with the crowd and definitely gained some new fans that night.

Up next was Meet Me at the Altar, an all-female trio originating in Florida, but the members are from Florida, New Jersey, and Georgia. They have a refreshing pop-punk sound with inspiration coming from Paramore, Avril Lavigne, and P!nk mixed with alternative/indie Twenty One Pilots. Lead singer Edith, bass/guitarist Tea, and drummer Ada carried the night on with solid, high-powered, and commanding lyrics, riffs, and beats. Edith asked the crowd if anyone had heard of them before, and fans quickly responded with hands in the air and cheering, which humbled them as they all smiled. They then asked if it was okay to play some covers, which of course everyone loves, but with a twist. They started with “Sweetness” by Jimmy Eat World; but as soon as the crowd began to sing the 2nd verse, they jumped into the chorus of “My Friends Over You” from New Found Glory, then ended with Lit’s “My Own Worst Enemy.”

Knuckle Puck was another band on my radar the last 2 years; it never worked out that I could make it to a show until Sad Summer this year, so I was stoked to see them again on this bill. They came out strong with “Want Me Around,” “The Tower,” and “Disdain.” The lights dimmed, and cheers came from every direction. The band’s name comes from the “knucklepuck” shot in ice hockey, which was popularized by the 1994 film D2: The Mighty Ducks. From Chicago, Lead Singer Joe Taylor kept the crowd rallying as he came out smiling in a Philadelphia Flyers jersey.

Around for 13 years, they’ve quickly risen up in the ranks among the current pop-punk scene. With solid lyrics, captivating hooks, and shaking drum beats, it’s clear why they’ve been in the game for over a decade. The crowd went wild during their set; I counted at least five crowd surfers that Taylor pointed to and fist bumped as they were carried over the barrier in front of him. At times, the fans were singing so loud, you heard them over the guys as they played.

One of the highlights for me was “Gone.” before leaving the pit, I remember seeing a fan in the 2nd row holding his phone up with text reading “Please Play Gone.” Even though it’s a slower song, I caught him in the crowd jumping up and down singing along in excitement when they had that in their setlist. The guys played a set complete with hits from multiple albums/EP’s with lyrics that any fan can relate to, like those in “Untitled.” Taylor didn’t need to point the microphone out into the crowd during each chorus; the crowd was booming the entire set. He did so anyway, and he smiled as the crowd was singing and pointing back at him.

State Champs ended the night with a stellar setlist, confetti and streamers, and decibel-breaking singing from the crowd. With the first three songs being “Silver Cloud,” “Losing Myself,” and “Mine Is Gold,” it was a fun, unforgettable night. Again, the crowd could be heard over lead singer Derek DiScanio at times. Another modern pop-punk powerhouse with a strong message, they could’ve played for three hours and the crowd would still have been there.

Their set was seamless and energetic with new and old anthems, complete with Saxl Rose coming on stage during “Hell Of It” and serenading us with his gorgeous saxophone during the choruses. The ambiance was alive as the crowd kept their hands up and moving from side to side with each song. From “Light Blue,” “Golden Years,” “Save Face Story,” and an encore of “Everybody But You” and “Secrets,” these guys have also secured their place in the scene with a solid blend of hooks, drums, and real-life lyrics. Singer DiScanio’s vocal capacity is unique and draws you in with his mixture of highs and lows.

In 2018, Billboard called State Champs “modern-day pop-punk torchbearers,” and they’ve continued with their newest self-titled album, which is a perfect addition to their already phenomenal resume. It was an incredible night for the pop-punk lover’s soul and a reminder that this scene isn’t fading out any time soon.

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