State Champs are still the Kings of the New Age – review | Music | Entertainment

The effortlessly cool four-piece – comprised of Derek DiScanio, Tyler Szalkowski, Ryan Scott Graham and Evan Ambrosio – strolled onto the massive stage coated in an air of relaxation and power.

Kicking off with their bop Just Sound, State Champs asked their audience: “Are you ready to party?” and they meant it.

In just nine short songs, State Champs turned the historic venue into their playground. They jumped, laughed, danced, and generally took over the night with ease.

Comparatively, Mayday Parade and Simple Plan looked like they struggled to keep the momentum up during their sets, while State Champs revelled in the absolute joy they were bringing.

By the time they hit Everybody But You, the lead single of their latest album – Kings of the New Age – you almost couldn’t hear the rockers over the fervour they had whipped the crowd up into.

State Champs deserve everything they get and more. Their unique style of pop-punk with pop sensibilities is seconds away from blowing up, and I can’t wait to see how they proceed.