Bad Copy

I’d been eagerly anticipating this show for weeks. With such a stacked line-up, I knew it was going to be an unforgettable night. The crisp fall air only added to the excitement as I gathered my gear and headed to the venue. As I arrived, the place was buzzing with eager fans, and I could feel the anticipation building. I made my way to the stage, ready for the night to kick off.

The first band was Slow Joy, a grunge/emo act with a euphoric sound that immediately drew me in. Led by Esteban Flores, Slow Joy is actually a solo project, though at this show, he was accompanied by two other musicians. Flores’ fans often refer to his music as “Southwest Emo,” and he embraces the label. I’ve been a fan of Slow Joy for a long time, so I was excited to finally see them live. As soon as they hit the stage, the energy was electric. The crowd cheered as the band launched into their set, and their infectious energy kept everyone moving throughout. They set the perfect tone for the rest of the night.

Next up was Carly Cosgrove, an alternative/indie band from Philadelphia. They’ve quickly made a name for themselves in the emo scene, and their playful nod to the show iCarly made me love them even more (I grew up watching that show!). When they walked onstage, the crowd went wild, especially with so many of their fans packed into the room. The atmosphere was incredible—fans were singing along to every word, and the band was feeding off the crowd’s energy. Each member of the band was fully engaged with the crowd, giving it their all and making the performance feel even more special.

Then it was time for Can’t Swim, a rock band from New Jersey that I’ve wanted to see live for years. As they set up, a small red devil stuffed animal was placed next to the drums—this mascot is a beloved symbol of their shows. When the band walked onstage, they turned their backs to the crowd for a moment, building the suspense before launching into their set. The energy was contagious, and the bass player’s constant jumping kept the crowd hyped. Their performance had the crowd completely engaged, and the stage presence set the tone perfectly for the headliner.

Finally, it was time for Real Friends, the main act of the night. The crowd went wild as they took the stage, and when they opened with “Our Love Was Like A Sad Song,” the entire venue sang along in unison. Lead singer Cody Muraro was full of energy, spinning and jumping around throughout the set. The rest of the band was just as lively, feeding off the crowd’s energy. Halfway through the performance, a touching moment occurred during “I’ve Given Up On You.” Cody came down into the crowd and encouraged everyone to raise their flashlights as the audience sang along with heartfelt passion.

The rest of the night was a blur of moshing, headbanging, and nonstop energy. The band made sure to stay connected with their fans, with Cody holding the mic out for people to sing into, letting everyone feel involved in the show. By the end, it felt less like a concert and more like a party with the band. Real Friends knows how to put on a show, and they definitely delivered an unforgettable night for their fans.

Check out my photos below: