Photo: Fraser Kerr

Live Review: State Champs – UK/EU Tour 2022 – Electric Ballroom

Filling out two nights at the Electric Ballroom is no easy feat, however pop-punk legends State Champs recently did just that. With the release of their [Upcoming] new album imminent at the time of their two nights in London, the night promised to be a celebration of their new yet-to-be-released tunes, whilst also throwing a grand pop-punk party for those in attendance. Despite the unfortunate pulling of Meet Me At The Altar from the line-up due to logistical issues, the night still promised to be lots of fun with the band being replaced with Between You & Me and Heart Attack Man. Here’s what went down.

Opening up for the eager London crowd was Aussie punks Between You & Me, who kicked off the night with a set bursting with energy right from the offset. It was clear that there were lots of the fans of the band in attendance, with lots of singing as the band played through tracks like ‘Butterflies’ and ‘Dakota’. The band gave great audience interaction throughout the set.

Joining the night on their first tour outside of North America, Heart Attack Man followed, as such, for most in attendance, this was likely their first time getting to see and possibly even hear the band. Despite that the band managed to pull off a jam-packed 13-song set, playing through lots of their most popular tracks such as ‘Fake Blood’ and ‘Pitch Black’. Their “Noisy Pop-Punk” sound seemed to go down well, and are definitely a band I’m keeping on my radar.

Photo: Fraser Kerr

Opening their set with ‘Here To Stay’ from their (at the time upcoming) new album ‘Kings Of The New Age’, to great fan reception. Leaving little time to breathe the band went straight into ‘Eventually’. The set was littered with both long-time fan favourites and tracks which will soon become favourites, with the six tracks that the Albany Quintet played from their new album being received extremely well from the adoring fans in attendance, especially ‘Outta My Head’.

Ending their set with 2018’s ‘Dead and Gone’ it was clear that the 1,500 cap room desired more, and not to disappoint fans the band delivered, bringing a two-track encore with their mega hits ‘Elevated’ and ‘Secrets’ leaving fans screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs – definitely outsinging any other show happening in Camden Town that night.

The band showed great stage presence throughout their set which definitely helped new tracks sit well, between older tunes, with fans at the Electric Ballroom. The night really just showed how to put on an amazing pop-punk show – Great support, with a fuck load of energy throughout.

Photo: Fraser Kerr