Review & Photos: State Champs lift Cleveland with night of solid pop-punk

Written By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications

State Champs brought their uplifting pop-punk tunes to an energetic, smiling crowd Sunday night at The Agora Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio.

Currently on tour supporting their just released fifth Pure Noise Records’ full-length record (self-titled, State Champs), the four-member Albany, New York band kept the crowd moving with an extensive setlist with fan favorites from yesterday (“Remedy,” “Secrets,” “All You Are Is History,” “Elevated,” “Mine Is Gold”) along with more recent favorites of today (“Everybody But You,” “Silver Cloud,” “Clueless,” “Light Blue,” “Too Late To Say”).

Forming 14 years ago, the band’s experience was exhibited on stage by there spunky energy and skilled musicianship.

The 90-minute set included loud sing alongs, small circle pits and a kicking and turning lead vocalist Derek DiScanio, who described the crowd as “beautiful.” The band was clearly having fun; throughout the set, bassist Ryan Scott Graham jumped, spun around and leaned into the crowd.

NYC’s Daisy Grenade opened the show and they entered with contagious energy between vocal duo Dani and Keaton. They both gave it their all and then some.

Each stop of the tour the band has been promoting a cause, and this show was no different—they donated funds to an area resident’s (Hallei) battle with cancer.

They closed with crowd-engaging spell aloud song “Hypocrite,” which included a brief coordinated dance. Overall, an active personable set which could easily headline a tour of their own.

Three member band Meet Me At The Altar was next and they brought upbeat pop-punk with intermittent syncopated heavy breakdowns.

The crowd enjoyed a brief cover song medley of Jimmy Eat World, New Found Glory and Lit.

Edith Victoria’s vocals were exceptional throughout, but stood out most during “Kool,” which had a responsive crowd sing along.

Knuckle Puck performed just before State Champs and they delivered a solid set of back-to-back punk rock layered with catchy pop elements.

Vocalist Joe Taylor said since they first started touring in 2013, Cleveland has always been a great city to them.

They performed a new song with an aggressive chorus titled “To Each Their Own.” Fans clapped along to set closer “No Good” and sang along to “Untitled”: “I'll tell you everything is copacetic/You tore me down.”

With the upbeat pop-punk music genre capable of being a remedy for sadness, it was a perfect lineup for a Sunday night, lifting attendees up and bringing relief to stressors before venturing into yet another work week.

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STATE CHAMPS (click to enlarge)