State Champs started making music in 2010, so they’re still quite new to the music industry, but I assure you that they’re making their mark. The band has toured with other popular pop punk bands such as All Time Low, Sleeping With Sirens and Neck Deep. To promote the band’s rerelease of their second studio album Around the World and Back, State Champs embarked on their first headlining tour. The band brought everything to the table they could on Saturday night. St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit was the second date on the tour, managing to sell out the day of the show.

Concertgoers of all ages started lining up before the doors even opened in the evening. Don Bronco, a band from England, started off the night some of their pop punk tunes. Next up was the Australian punk band, With Confidence. The audience sung along to every word of their setlist as well as the last opener, Against The Current. Each opening band got the crowd pumped up for the next. Crowd members were jumping and shouting long before State Champs even hit the stage. It was evident that the crowd wasn’t just there to see the main act. Each member of the audience proudly sung along with all of the opening bands and artists as well as State Champs.

Somehow the crowd managed to get even more berserk when State Champs started their set. The singing and chanting from the crowd often got so loud that it drowned out the voices from the stage. There was never a dull moment for the audience. Something was always going on. State Champs knows how to bring the crowd to life and keep them from getting bored. Everyone was so involved during the show and it’s rare to see that happen anymore. All the jumping, moshing and crowd surfing made St. Andrew’s Hall creak and shake.

State Champs’ lead vocalist, Derek DiScanio, noted that the show in Cleveland the night before didn’t sell out, but Detroit did. Then Ryan Scott Graham, the bassist, chimed in and stated that he was proud to call Michigan his home. The crowd continued the Detroit spirit as they chanted how much they hated Ohio.

It’s pretty clear that State Champs will be back to Detroit as they have in earlier years. Audience members young and old were brought together to have a good time and remember why pop punk is continuing to grow and will never die.

Gallery • 14 Photos

Samantha Nork