State Champs Deliver a Pop-Punk Knock-Out Punch in Charlotte
Kings of the New Age Tour Makes a Stop at the Fillmore
The kings of American pop-punk recently made a stop in the Queen City as State Champs rolled into the Fillmore Charlotte bringing their Kings of the New Age Tour to Carolina music fans. Originally formed in Albany, NY back in 2010, State Champs have been an integral part of the pop-punk scene for well over a decade. Touring in support of their fourth studio album Kings of the New Age, the band brought an evening of pop-punk madness to the Fillmore.
Fans were making their way into the venue, sporting State Champs gear and anxiously awaiting the evening’s festivities. Spirits were high and everyone seemed excited about the tour. Getting things started were New Jersey rockers Save Face. Led by lead vocalist Tyler Povanda, Save Face has really been gaining a following due to the success of their latest album Another Kill For The Highlight Reel, and tours with The Wonder Years, Bayside, and of course State Champs. The band hit the stage running, literally, in matching orange “prisoner” jumpsuits kicking off their set with “Sharpen Your Teeth.” Wow, one thing is for sure Save Face is one of the most energetic bands I have ever seen perform. They were running, jumping, and posing throughout their time on stage. The crowd was enjoying themselves, jumping around as Povanda did a fantastic imitation of a human pogo stick, jumping at will, higher and higher, each time. Save Face is definitely a fun time and a band to keep an eye on.
Next up was a band that I was completely unfamiliar with but totally blew me away. Between You and Me is a five-piece band hailing from Melbourne, Australia, and is making some serious noise since the release of their sophomore album Armageddon a little over a year ago. Frontman Jake Wilson is not only a fantastic singer but also a great showman. He was working the audience like a seasoned pro and had fans eating out of his hand. Their sound is pop-punk based but with a little more of the punk attitude at the forefront. Tracks like “Dakota” will have you jamming and moshing before you know it. I think the band may have made more than a few new fans if the amount of crowd surfers were any indication. The band will be releasing new music independently in 2023, so be sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled.
Inspired by the alt-rock scene of the 80s and 90s, HUNNY is on the brink of breaking out in a big way. Lead vocalist and guitarist Jason Yager led the band through a solid set of tunes with catchy rhythms, bouncing beats, and soulful vocals. The band’s latest release Homesick is taking their musical journey to a new level and those in attendance were lucky to hear not only the title track but also “Loser.” There was dancing, clapping, and rocking out to be had. As the stage lights shone down upon them, I was mesmerized by their vibe. If you like a refreshing new take on classic alt, pop-punk, I give HUNNY a solid Yes.Yes.Yes.Yes.
After a short break, the moment had finally arrived for State Champs to take the stage. Drummer Evan Ambrosio was the first to take his spot on the stage. His kit was situated at the rear of the stage in front of the huge LED screen that would change imagery throughout the evening. Guitarist Tyler Szalkowski and bass guitarist Ryan Scott Graham were next out, fists in the air, pumping up the crowd at every possible opportunity. Lastly, vocalist Derek DiScanio made his way out as they got the fans going crazy right from the start with “Just Sound” off their latest album Kings of the New Age.
From then on, it was a frenzy of new songs and old favorites. The night was a lot like going back in time and remembering all the times hanging out with friends. People were moshing and crowd surfing but a lot more were dancing, swaying, pumping their fists in the air, and singing along at the top of their lungs. The stage was awash with plumes of fog from the cryo cannons and everyone was having the best time ever. A unique moment of the show happened when the band performed a medley of some of the fan’s favorite songs as the song name appeared on the LED screen.
There’s no way State Champs could have added all of those songs in full to their already stacked setlist but it was a great way to give everyone a chance at hearing at least a small portion of their favorite tunes. The band sounded tight and Derek’s vocals were spot on even as the evening drew to a close. It was a night where memories were made and friendships were forged and a perfect ending to an evening of fantastic music.
With a performance like that, it’s easy to crown State Champs Kings of the New Age, the next age, and many ages to come. The band is looking forward to heading back out on the road in 2023, stay tuned to their social media accounts and right here on Shutter 16 for all the latest on State Champs.
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