By casey habetler dean | december 4, 2024
For most, the days leading up to Thanksgiving are reserved for travel chaos and last-minute prep. But for a different crowd it’s a time to pack into Cincinnati’s Bogart’s for a night of pop-punk catharsis on State Champs’ latest tour. With a stacked lineup featuring Daisy Grenade, Meet Me @ the Altar, Knuckle Puck, and the headliners themselves, the night promised something for every flavor of angst.
Daisy Grenade
Kicking things off, Daisy Grenade wasted no time igniting the room. The female-fronted pop-punk outfit delivered an electrifying set, weaving cheeky theatrics and infectious hooks. Tracks like “How to Hide a Body” had fans jumping, while their cover of Pierce the Veil’s “King for a Day” struck a nostalgic nerve. Between power stances, jumps, and actual splits, Daisy Grenade proved they know how to hold a crowd captive.
Meet Me @ the Altar
Up next, Meet Me @ the Altar delivered a set that was equal parts nostalgia and fresh energy, cementing their place as a standout in today’s pop-punk. The trio commanded the crowd with a set that felt like a love letter to the genre’s heyday while carving out their own identity. They weaved through originals like “Say It (To My Face)” and “Hit Like A Girl,” while sprinkling in a medley of classic covers from Jimmy Eat World, New Found Glory, and Lit that had the crowd in a frenzy. Their chemistry on stage was palpable, and their unapologetic confidence as Women of Color in a traditionally white male-dominated scene added an inspiring layer to the performance.
Knuckle Puck
Knuckle Puck raised the stakes as the final opener, their emotionally charged set pushing the crowd to the brink. Lyrics dripping with sincerity and raw power met chaotic circle pits and crowd surfers galore. Despite a mid-set mishap when vocalist Joe Taylor accidentally launched his mic into the abyss, the band didn’t miss a beat—a testament to their years of experience and seamless synergy.
State Champs
When State Champs took the stage, they arrived with a full arsenal: a platform for airborne stunts, Orange amp stacks, and strobes that turned Bogart’s into a lightning storm. From the opening riff, the floor was alive with circle pits, crows surfers, and even a pint-sized crowd-surfer hoisted high above the chaos.
The band fed off the energy, delivering hit after hit with a relentless ferocity. Fans screamed every lyric back, creating a shared catharsis that blurred the line between band and audience. Highlights included a VIP pass-holders jamming out on the side stage, proving once again that State Champs not only have the tightest sound but the most devoted fanbase.
By the time the house lights came on, it was clear that this wasn’t just a pre-Thanksgiving escape; it was a reminder of why pop-punk’s heartbeat is as loud and resilient as ever.
Casey Habetler Dean is a freelance photojournalist for Majestic Music Magazine. See more of their work here
