The American pop-punk rockers end their tour with a show at O2 Forum Kentish Town.

“I am so ready to be broke” I hear from a gal standing behind me in a queue to the merch stand. “Oh girl, I feel your pain” I think as I’m about to pick a T-Shirt for the night and believe me, the choice is quite overwhelming. It is Saturday night when the hordes of pop-punk lovers flood the streets of Kentish Town. Of course, it’s a regular view around here but tonight’s line-up is what makes it all special.

As tonight’s show rounds up State Champs‘ extensive tour across the country everyone is ready for a rowdy one. I mean, having Northbound and As It Is as the opening bands says a lot, but judging by the number of restless bodies the security drags out of the pit during the support acts, it’s fair to say it’s gonna be an utter mess.

The Albany, NY five-piece storms the stage accompanied by the loud screams as they dive headfirst into the strong opener Losing Myself. It’s just the beginning of the set but it looks like a lot of people have totally lost it already.

The band decides to intertwine the songs from their marvellous debut album, The Finer Things (2013) and the sophomore Around The World And Back (2015) to steadily prepare everyone for the forthcoming mayhem. As their thunderous set unfolds we are being dropped into the maze of fiery sounds of Hard To Please, Shape Up and Eyes Closed.

“It’s fucking amazing. Tonight is our biggest headline show ever. Thanks for being here”, frontman Derek DiScanio addresses the thrilled crowd before the band moves onto Remedy and All Or Nothing.

State Champs embody that great vigorous spirit the punk music encompasses. With hard-edged melodies and candid lyricism their fast-paced songs keep reaching the wider audience all over the place. They’ve already built a solid fan base and their live shows are best to prove it.

“Everyone knows UK crowds are the best but I’m gonna say, this is the best crowd ever” singer says before he screams “I’m a realist and an optimist / But I swear to you, I’m not getting over this” (All You Are Is History) and the madness commences. “That’s exactly what we came for. How are you doing?! Be careful out there, you guys are wild”, he adds before jumping into the blistering Easy Enough.

With two studio albums in their repertoire, State Champs are a band who is self-confident and self-aware when performing live. There’s no track that falls flat or weak in the live arrangement. The intrumentation is executed accurately, the vocals deliver that distinct growling and raspy tint at times, the interactions between the guys on stage are on-point. Their stage persona is firmly grounded and a tad careless attitude only draws bigger allure.

“I love you guys”, DiScanio ponders. “We’re gonna play some acoustic now. It’s an old song but don’t hold yourself”, he clarifies as the reflective tone hails from the track Stick Around, taken from their 2010’s self-titled debut EP, showcasing Tyler Szalkowski on acousic guitar duties. But before they’re “back for business” we are graced with another emotive serenade If I’m Lucky, which sees a lot of people getting onto each other’s shoulders. Wherever I look, there are people singing back every word.

“We picked the right place and the right people to finish this tour” vocalist gives shout-out to the supporting bands and their entire crew. Although the acoustic break set the lower pace a little bit, the energy is right back on track for another banger Perfect Score and Simple Existence as Derek is egging on making the mosh pit even bigger. It is a busy night for the security guys after all. Many bodies are being tossed above our heads and back to the front, where a few lucky ones get a high-five from the singer before they vanish in the pit. All is captured within the punchy melodies of Breaking Ground.

“What a fucking night London. This goes to the books. Last time we played a tiny show at the Underworld and now this. To those who’s seeing us for the first time – Welcome, to those who’s seen us before – Thank you. We love you. We’ll be coming back for Download Festival”, frontman says as the band rounds off the main set with another fan favourite Elevated.

The spirit in the room has remained resilient throughout the set although the end is near. “We don’t want this tour to end. We don’t want to play one song. We’re gonna play two more but you gotta show me you’re still awake.” The band takes a photo with the crowd before spinning Critical.

“It’s been hell of a day, hell of a tour. It doesn’t matter where you come from. Can we finish this the right fucking way?!” Derek sums up. The crowd doesn’t need any more encouragements as Secrets hit the ether.

The lyrics of the last song “But it’s too late for me, now I’m as good as gone” echo for a while after the guys disappear from the stage. “Well, it’s been hell of a show after all”, I think as I’m trying to get myself out of this giant mess.

Photos: Kasia Osowiecka