State Champs @ O2 Forum

Hi guys,

Get ready for a flood of concert reviews in the next few weeks because I'm going to be very busy! This week I was ecstatic because I finally got to see State Champs live and I've been waiting for so long!

The O2 Forum is such a beautiful venue itself because you can look at the small details and tell that it used to be a theatre which made it even more amazing. The actual layout of the venue is definitely special because, as well as having a balcony with seats, there were different layers on the floor which meant that you had one of three options:

1. Stand on the main floor and get properly involved with the mosh pits and stuff BUT if you weren't tall then there was no hell in chance of seeing anything.

2. (My choice) standing on the first raised tier so you were seeing above heads (and if you're short like me it was perfect)

3. Going on the second raised tier and just leaning on the barrier to enjoy the show.

I have no regrets for standing where I did because I could lean on a banister without worrying about being squashed or lifted in the air because, with my luck, I would've seriously hurt myself.

Once everyone found their perfect space to stand, the support acts came on and really warmed the crowd up. Northbound were the first up and they had an awesome energy and really got the crowd going. My only issue was that their instruments definitely overpowered the vocals so I couldn't really get a feel of their songs or their music.

The real stars *except State Champs* were As It Is and even I was excited to see them because they are an amazing band. They had a solid 10 song-ish set and there energy was second to none and everyone in the venue knew it. Patty was in a league of his own when it comes to lead vocalists because he was singing amazingly but it looked like he had drank one too many energy drinks because he was jumping across that stage, and swinging that mic, like there was no tomorrow. I'm not complaining because that made them even better to watch. Ben was also amazing and I loved seeing the two of their voices work together in perfect harmony. As It Is is definitely a band I am going to start properly listening too because they hit a note with me and everyone in that room!

Already warmed up from the two support acts, once State Champs finally came on, I was so pumped and excited that I'm surprised I didn't collapse from exhaustion. I expected a lot from the guys and they literally did not disappoint me from start to finish because, as well as having one of the best setlists I have ever seen, they proved how amazing they are as musicians and performers.

Each member of the band really pulled their weight and the vocals from Derek (who is probably one of the best pop-punk vocalists out there), Ryan and Tyler were on point in every single song and combined with their energy and Evan and Tony's, well there was no chance I'd ever be bored.

The setlist had new songs from Around the World and Back and to my excitement, some old stuff from Finer Things and Apparently, I'm Nothing. Starting with Losing Myself really set the tone for the rest of the show and built up the crowd for some favourites such as Remedy, Shape Up and All You Are Is History. They were upbeat and energetic but it didn't get in the way of the flawless vocals which can sometimes happen with bands like this. I have to be bias and say that All You are Is History was the best of this part of the setlist and I still can't stop singing it.

They then managed to completely change the mood by going all acoustic on our arses and it really let Derek show how amazing his vocals were, Playing Stick Around and If I'm Lucky were brilliant choices because they are lyrically amazing songs and it was nice to see the moshing replaced with lighter swaying and a sense of calmness. It was even better for me because If I'm Lucky is one of my all time favourite songs from any artist and I luckily I didn't cry but by god it was magical.

The true talent of a band is being able to go from a beautiful slow song and suddenly going back into an upbeat song like Perfect Score. It sort of set up for an amazing second half which literally saw me being so crazily mad and energetic, I wish I had that enthusiasm when I study or try and do exercise. My highlughts for this part and the encore was definitely Secrets and Elevated because they are some of my favourite songs but I don't even want to be specific because all the songs are amazing and were performed like true artists.

I'm trying to figure out how to like sum everything up and like say my verdict but I am struggling. I guess all I can say is that it was one of the best concerts I've ever been to in every sense, from the support acts to the setlist to the show itself. I took my friend who has only started listening to them after I bought tickets and even she was singing and dancing along. It was high energy, full of talent and an amazing night out for any pop-punk lover.

5/5 in every single way!!

Before I end this, I can't help not giving a shout out to Tony's WWE Finn Balor tank which kept catching my eye throughout the show!

So, if you like pure punk or pop-punk, I'd definitely recommend going to a State Champs show for amazing music and a great atmosphere.

Until next week (where I'm off to see the Maine)

Bye for Now

xx