What concerts / events are you going to?

[Buckeye Randy]

Anybody going to Riot Fest 2025?  Any thoughts on the line-up? An eclectic collection heavy on but not exclusive to punk.

https://riotfest.org/chicago/tickets/

[Meatwad]

Will be seeing these bands/ensembles in the next few months ........... 

Dillinger Escape Plan
Car Bomb
Animals as Leaders
You Am I
Testament
WA Symphony Orchestra

Might see Opeth in November but not sure atm.

[Meatwad]

Anybody going to Riot Fest 2025?  Any thoughts on the line-up? An eclectic collection heavy on but not exclusive to punk.

https://riotfest.org/chicago/tickets/

Im down here in OZ so I wont be going, but looking at that list The Beach Boys being on the bill is a bit odd. Not to say I wouldn't want to see them because I definitely would.

[Buckeye Randy]

Who: The Bouncing Souls
Where: The Agora (Cleveland, OH)
When: April 26, 2025

My first show of the year is the third show of the 2025 Bouncing Souls tour titled, 'EAST COAST F#CK YOU!'.  The title of the tour sets an enthusiastic tone for the evening but the title also casts doubts of coming home with a T-shirt from the merch table.  "Hey, look at Grandpa's shirt" (giggle).   T-shirt or no T-shirt this evening, I'm stoked.

I've been a casual fan of The Bouncing Souls for over 25 years.  It started when Akron's punk show on public radio would play track's from '99's 'Hopeless Romantic' (shout out to Ron and Ed!).   My fandom grew with the purchase of 2003's  'Anchors Aweigh' and continued as I bought others over the years.    Since first being introduced,  I've seen the band three times and all have been memorable from festival opener to club headliner.  High energy by band and crowd.

This evening also promises to be memorable but for a completely different reason.  It's the first show I've gone to with a non family member in over 15 years.  Either I've been in a terrible rut or I've been happy with status quo. Regardless, I'm looking forward to an evening of fun with a co-worker and fellow lover of punk...though my junior by more years than I care to mention!  The age difference is actually cool because it just adds to our collective knowledge.

The Bouncing Souls formed in 1989 and still include three original members.  Greg Attonito on vocals, Pete Steinkopf on guitar and  Bryan Kienlen on bass. The newbie is drummer George Rabelo (Hot Water Music) has been on board since 2013.  The band has 12 releases since 1994 with five being on the famed Epitaph label.  Solid credentials for a band with one foot in retro and the other foot planted firmly in being a viable force on the current music scene.

We arrived early to The Agora and took our place in a line that stretched down the sidewalk of Euclid Avenue.   We 'enjoyed' the unseasonably frigid temps while waiting for doors to open as the line grew from tens of people to hundreds.

The Agora has been a part of Cleveland rock and roll for over 50 years and has resided at three locations.  The current location (since 1986) on Euclid Avenue was built in 1913 and retains much of the ornate architecture even as it has changed ownership over the years.  The building in an earlier life was home of the WHK radio studios and auditorium. It was there in 1951 that Cleveland disc jockey Allen Freed first coined the phrase "Rock-and-Roll".  That adds a little historical significance as you get a wrist band and pass through the metal detectors.   The venue is versatile as it can be changed from an entirely seated 2000 seat venue to GA venue with no seating other than in the balcony.  On this evening, it was General Admission and we staked our territory in the pit.

I'm not crazy about three openers but that's what we have tonight.  The collective highlight was the timing of bands taking and leaving the stage, no delays.  School Drugs opened with a smokin' version of "Sonic Reducer" by Cleveland's Dead Boys and memorable by the fact that all their songs were all less than two minutes.  Next up is Dave Hause and the lasting impression was coming off as a poor man's Springsteen.  It fits the New Jersey vibe of the evening but not ideal at a punk show!   H20 made tolerating the first two openers all worthwhile.  They were incredible and I wish I would have familiarized myself with more of their material before the show.  Highlights were "5 Yr. Plan" and "One Life, One Chance" but absolutely everything was solid.  Well done!

Finally, the reason we are in Cleveland on a Saturday night.  The house system played "Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds as The Bouncing Souls took their places on the stage.  The energy level was exactly as anticipated when the band jumped into the opener, "East Coast F*ck You".  All at once;  moshing, body surfing and lots of us just happy to jump around or bop up and down.  It's Saturday in Cleveland.

Honestly, I felt that the sound was a bit of a work in progress as the show settled in.  There was nothing egregious and it may have been due to the acoustics particular to where we were standing.  Regardless of any sound deficiencies, the band was energized and the setlist strong. 

Over half of the 20+ songs played are ones that I consider my favorites. I could bemoan all the songs they didn't play but that's not fair to a band with such a deep catalogue.   The front end of the evening following the opener included some of my personal essentials; "Hopeless Romantic", "Manthem" and "Kate Is Great".  As a matter of fact, the band seemed to group fan favorites in clusters on more than one occasion.  "The Gold Song", "Sing A Long Forever" and "Here We Go" were also rapid fire.   One song that I wasn't sure we would hear was "Kids and Heroes" but it was included and in near perfect fashion I might add.

The show included an acoustic rendition of "Ghosts On The Boardwalk".   Greg explained that a punk show should never be more than 45 minutes so they divide their show into two parts.  Greg and guitarist Pete Steinkopf made the show personal by remembering some of their Cleveland memories from previous years.  The crowd responded with cheers as different bands or particular shows were namechecked. 

As the evening was drawing to a close, the band played their brand new song, "United". Most of the crowd seemed familiar with the song even though it was only released three days earlier.   I'm not positive but I think "Lean On Sheena" is my all time favorite concert anthem.  Everybody knows every word and the band is drowned out at times as the crowd shouts along.  The show finishes with "True Believers" and this was also our predetermined que for a dash to the merch stand. 

This essay will end the way it began; merch table dilemma.  A merch stand can be stressful for a guy like me.  I must make quick decisions on overpaying for things I might never see again or buy something I'll never wear.   Compounding the problem is I'm a cheap bastard.  On this evening, the decision predictably came down to a tour t-shirt with tour dates and tour name on it (East Coast F#CK YOU) or a simple black shirt with the band logo.  I went with overpaying for a shirt with the time-tested band logo.  A conservative decision for sure but I'll be able to wear this shirt around the Grandkids with no worries.

It was a great evening in 'The Land' and I look forward to my next show with Bouncing Souls.  Well Done!