By sabrina bollinger | november 26, 2024
Crowd-surfers, shoes, and beer cans as far as the eye can see filled Kemba Live this past Saturday as The Story So Far’s “I Want to Disappear” tour brought pop-punk fans from across Ohio to rock out. The classic pop-punk staple is one of the only bands that can bridge the generational gap, bringing together fans from their “What You Don’t See” era as well as newer and younger fans from their newest release. With the help of Koyo and Superheaven, they brought fans from all different punk subgenres together for a night of head-banging fun.
The Story So Far was originally formed in 2007 and has since released five studio albums. Based out of California, the band became mainstream during the early 2010s with their album, “What You Don’t See”. Since then, the band has continued to cement their legacy as a father of pop-punk and they don’t seem to be stopping.
Columbus certainly knows how to bring the energy. Row after row, body after body rolling over the crowd feeling the support of your community around you as they push you to the front of the room. Even the mosh pit was going crazy. My favorite part though, was seeing the kids make lifelong memories. Seeing the look of pure joy and happiness as a young boy got lifted over the crowd towards the band, his father close behind, was something really special. The Story So Far gave that kid a night to remember and one I’m sure he won’t soon forget.
It just goes to show how this genre of music brings together some of the best communities in Columbus. Standing in the crowd of bodies moving your head to the movement or throwing your fist up in the air. It brings a sense of belonging that even when you go alone, you’re never truly alone. There’s always a new friend standing next to you. For me, getting to see The Story So Far live was a check off my bucket list and one I won’t ever forget.
Sabrina Bollinger is a freelance photojournalist for Majestic Music Magazine. See more of her work here.
