Chicago based five piece Knuckle Puck made an appearance over here in the UK only a few months ago at Slam Dunk Festival, and most people who caught their set there are probably back again to enjoy the array of pop-punk on show. Bringing a slightly edgier sound to the table, their teen-angst releatable lyrics have the crowd right where they want them, crammed as closely as they can be whilst slamming into each other. Their final two tracks No Good and Pretense, both perfectly round off their set of high energy, fast paced pop punk goodness.
Coming onto WWE star John Cena’s theme song went down rather amusingly for a crowd accustomed to meme filled internet culture. It also proved not to be the only meme reference in the night. All You Are Is History creates a blistering start to the set and the crowd surge forward creating no single area for a mosh pit, but fans that are stood anywhere that’s not on the balcony are being shoved in every direction possible, climbed over and being knocked to the ground.
Secrets is a perfect example of how easily State Champs can settle in between the alternative scene and pop music, hooks-a-plenty and an infectious chorus which leaves the crowd in a state of chaos mirroring the bands raw energy on stage. Vocalist Derek DiScanio, didn’t fall short on thanking the crowd for being here on a Tuesday night, this being their first ever UK headliner you can see how grateful they are for each and every person in the room and heading towards the end of the night they band swing into Hard To Please, with groovy guitar melodies and vocals that are perfectly fit for sing alongs.
The band have really made a name for themselves over the past few years, touring with artists like All Time Low, 5 Seconds of Summer and New Found Glory, they’ve really expanded their pop punk horizons and the last song of the night, Elevated, with a chorus that’ll hang around in your head for days, unleashes bedlam and fans that aren’t in the pit are climbing on top of heads to make their way as close to the stage as they can get. However cheesy this may sound, everybody here tonight is well aware that pop punk is still alive and kicking.
Photography By Erin Moore at Forte Photography UK : Facebook / Twitter / Website
State Champs: Facebook / Twitter / Website
Knuckle Puck: Facebook / Twitter / Website
