Show Review: State Champs at Red Rocks Amphitheater
Who Says Pop Punk is Dead?!
While many people believe that the genre pop-punk is dead, there are many bands still out in the scene proving them wrong. The guys in State Champs are just one of many who help keep the scene alive today. With the release of their fourth full length album, Kings of the New Age, it is pretty clear they truly are the kings of the genre. Following a full UK/EU headline run in support of the record, the pop-punk rockers from upstate New York brought the new energetic riffs here to the States playing a show that can easily be crossed off anyone’s bucket list. What better place to debut new songs than supporting blackbear at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, Colorado on May 31.
Joining State Champs on the bill was Modsun and their friends in Neck Deep, and while the weather wasn’t necessarily ideal for a show that didn’t stop fans from showing up. Even with 40 degree temperatures and pouring rain, State Champs still came out and put on the show that we know and love them for. Opening their set with “Just Sound” (the first single they released in anticipation for their fourth record last summer.) It was a good way of getting the crowd moving and helping fight the cold. Following “Just Sound,” they jumped right into “Frozen” which has become a crowd favorite from their previous album Living Proof. Of course bassist Ryan Scott Graham did his iconic spins. I still don’t understand how he hasn’t fallen over yet. Hopefully I didn’t just jinx him.
Because the show was about 2 weeks after the release of the record, the setlist was heavily focused on new songs (including Act Like That feat. Mitchell Tenpenny and Outta My Head), but of course they threw in set staples like “All You Are is History,” “Elevated,” and of course they closed with “Secrets.” A highlight of the night was when Ben Barlow from Neck Deep came out and joined Champs on stage during “Everybody But You.” The energy and crowd interaction was nothing less than 100%. Champs were also highly energetic on stage with their infectious riffs and catchy choruses keeping everyone moving and off their feet the entire time.
Despite the weather being cold and wet this was still a show to remember. State Champs never disappoints. The stage presence and the overall atmosphere was incredible. It was definitely a highlight of my year getting to be there to witness such a huge milestone in their career. You can catch State Champs on tour all summer supporting Sad Summer Fest and I’m sure we’ll see them later this fall on a headline tour in support of Kings of the New Age. I don’t think State Champs are going to be slowing down anytime soon.
