A pop-punk celebration at The Salt Shed saw State Champs deliver a high-energy, nostalgia-soaked performance that reminded Chicago why they remain one of the genre’s most enduring live acts. The band’s “Around the World and Back” 10th anniversary run kicked off here, with support from Real Friends, Harrison Gordon, and Driveways, creating a night packed with crowd sing-alongs and electric fan energy.

I remember when this record dropped and triggered State Champ’s rise, so revisiting this modern pop-punk classic was a night to remember. Chicago has always been a stronghold for pop punk. While the local Chicago pop-punk DIY scene isn’t what it used to be, it isn’t due to lack of love for the genre from the fans, so to see that legacy put on full display was a sight to see. Packed wall to wall with longtime fans and first-timers alike, the room buzzed with anticipation long before the lights dropped. What followed was a high-energy, nostalgia-driven set that felt less like a routine tour stop and more like a celebration of the band’s journey, the songs that shaped a generation, and the kind of communal chaos only a State Champs show can create.

Before the room filled with anthemic pop-punk sing-alongs and blistering guitars, Harrison Gordon took the early stage at The Salt Shed and set a distinct tone for the night. Known for his raw, emo-infused punk rock energy and Midwest DIY spirit, Gordon arrived with a sound that felt both heartfelt and urgent, a perfect complement to a stacked lineup that included Real Friends and the night’s headliners, State Champs. What stood out most was how he set the emotional groundwork for what was to come. Where Real Friends’ brought their signature feeling of community and State Champs’ delivered high-octane joy, Gordon’s performance offered a raw, connective starting point for the evening. It wasn’t just “an opener,” it was a chance to experience a different flavor of heartfelt punk energy before the night’s bigger choruses and bigger stages.

Before the crowd even got swept up in State Champs’ headlining celebration of their Around the World and Back anniversary, Real Friends took the stage and delivered a warm, emotionally charged opener that continued to set the tone for the night. Real Friends brought their signature blend of heartfelt lyrics and high-energy performance to the early set, proving they weren’t just a warm-up, they were a highlight in their own right. Leaning into their emo-tinged pop punk sound with tight musicianship and an infectious energy, their lyrical themes often skewer toward introspection and heartache, the effect live was anything but the opposite as the crowd danced, shouted the hooks back at the band, and embraced the community vibe that’s become synonymous with Real Friends’ shows. Of the hometown heroes, Real Friends still continue to shine even after all these years, even with a frontman swap. Regardless, while openers can sometimes feel like an afterthought, Real Friends’ set felt purposeful that had the room buzzing from start to finish. A performance that reminded everyone why they’ve become pop-punk favorites over the years: honest emotion, infectious melodies, and a live energy that resonates with longtime die-hards and newcomers alike.

When State Champs stormed the Salt Shed in Chicago, the crowd knew they were in for something special … and the band delivered from opening chord to final sing-along. Drawing fans old and new, this show felt like a reunion of pop-punk zeal, energy sheer and unfiltered. Making the night all the better and more exciting was the night being capped with a front-to-back play-through of their biggest record, Around the World and Back. Seeing this record being played originally a decade ago versus now felt like night and day. Ten years ago, they performed with the excitement and energy of a young band on the rise, in comparison to now, where they performed with a new sort of vigor, emboldened by years of experience as seasoned veterans, now making this night’s performance all the better. To be able to see that duality at play of then versus now, but such a great treat for me.

Right from the first few riffs, it was obvious that State Champs weren’t here to just play a set; they were there for something far bigger. A nonstop, hard-hitting pop-punk record from front to back, Around The World and Back doesn’t let up once as each note hits bigger than ever and each sing-a-long moment feels larger than life. Fans responded in kind, echoing every chorus and bouncing along with tight, fast-paced tracks that zipped between punchy hooks and heartfelt lyricism.

Striking a careful balance between honoring their catalog and keeping things feeling current, weaving newer material seamlessly alongside the songs that helped define a generation of pop-punk fans. Frontman Derek DiScanio commanded the stage with infectious enthusiasm, bouncing across platforms and engaging the crowd at every turn, leading the charge for the entire evening, all while the rest of the gang complemented one another perfectly, driving each note home with signature precision and passion and delivering each song with the same vigor that’s defined their live shows for years.

One of the strongest aspects of the night was how effortlessly the crowd fed off the band’s energy. Quiet moments were rare, but when they came, they were powerful, entire verses sung back at full volume, hands in the air, voices cracking with nostalgia. Then, just as quickly, the tempo would spike again, pulling the room back into motion. It was a constant push and pull between chaos and connection, the kind of dynamic that defines truly great pop-punk shows.

By the time the final notes rang out, the Salt Shed felt spent in the best possible way. Sweaty, hoarse, and grinning, fans lingered long after the set ended, riding the high of a performance that hit both emotionally and physically. State Champs didn’t just play Chicago, they reaffirmed their place in the city’s pop-punk lineage, delivering a show that felt equal parts celebration, release, and reminder of why this music continues to matter.

State Champs

Real Friends

Harrison Gordon