Bad Copy

It was a cold, snowy day in Madison, and I was buzzing with excitement as I prepared for an anticipated show at The Sylvee. I come to this venue often, and it’s definitely one of my top favorite music venues. As soon as I arrived, I made my way to barricade, where the room was already packed with passionate fans. The crowd was incredibly friendly, perfectly setting the tone for the night.

Opening the show was Koyo, an American punk band from Stony Brook, New York. They have been on the rise within the pop-punk and hardcore scene for the past few years, sharing elements of both genres and incorporating them beautifully. I caught them on Knuckle Puck‘s one off show in Chicago last winter on the “Everything’s Still Copasetic” tour. I came to favor their most recent album, Would You Miss It?. It’s full of many memorable tracks, and upbeat melodies. With that being said, of course I was excited to see them perform again.

Koyo entered the room, and immediately dove into their jam packed set. Opening with “Moriches,” the band locked into a groove that felt both familiar and fresh. The lead vocalist, Joey Chiaramonte, commanded the crowd from every corner of the stage. And the crowd sang along with great enthusiasm while the pit was already in motion. They were a great start to the night, and I had an absolute blast capturing their performance again.

The second band, Destroy Boys, is an American punk rock band formed in Sacramento, California. They’re known for their inclusive, high-energy, and emotionally charged shows. I had never seen them live before but I was very eager to see what they have to offer. When they entered the room, the band immediately felt close to the audience. Lead vocalist Alexia Roditis greeted every corner of the room as she began performing.

I couldn’t help but admire the very safe environment the band had created. Although people jumped up and down to Violet Mayugba’s aggressive riffs, everyone in the venue still managed to look after one another. Destroy Boys also took multiple breaks throughout their set to bring awareness to current political events. Many chanted along, commending the bands use of their platform to bring awareness to social justice. As their set came to an end, they concluded the night with “Fences,” an energetic song that packs a serious punch with formidable vocals. Destroy Boys made a lasting and unforgettable first impression.

Up next was the main acts of the night, Rise Against. They are an American punk rock band from Chicago, formed in 1999. Their album Appeal To Reason was always on repeat when I was in high school. And while I enjoyed their music then, it’s nice to see that they are still crushing it all these years later. All those years later, and I had never seen them play live.

As I made my way to the front of the stage, I noticed the sea of passionate fans decked out in support of their favorite artist. The band emerged with static energy, each member assumed positions before diving into their jam packed set. They opened with “The Good Left Undone,” a hit track from their iconic album The Sufferer & The Witness. The lead vocalist, Tim Mcllrath, came equipped an airhorn while performing “Satellite.” The crowd erupted with cheers, and continued to mosh to their favorite songs. Even young kids were seen rocking out, and experiencing memories they would once look back on. I had an amazing time capturing their performance and was truly impressed by their seasoned talent.

Check out my photos below: