The exhilaration began with Daisy Grenade, a power punk duo known for their passionate performances. When they performed “Sick In The City,”  the crowd could not take their eyes off the stage. As the crowd's buzz gradually reached a higher and higher pitch, Daisy Grenade surprised the audience by performing “How To Hide A Body” with Sydney Roten from Diva Bleach. Daisy Grenade brought a raw, intense energy to the audience while still committed to providing a physically and emotionally safe space for their fans by donating to mutual aid funds.

Following Daisy Grenade’s signature explosive and dynamic atmosphere, the crowd soaked in upbeat and punchy energy from Meet Me at the Altar, a pop-punk band famous for its catchy melodies and an essence of youthful rebellion. Meet Me at the Altar made The Van Buren shake with “Kool,” “Say It (To My Face),”  and more. Matching with that enthusiasm, under the direction of Meet Me at the Altar, what began as a watching zone astonishingly turned into a dance floor. The crowd formed a circle filled with people dancing freely to the music inside.

Special guest performances ended with Knuckle Puck’s trademark aggressive and passionate set. Known for its emotional lyrics and energetic performance, Knuckle Puck brought its hallmark sound, fast tempos with emotional vocals, to The Van Buren. When the band played the track “Untitled” and the audience sang along, it felt like the line between the performer and the audience had been erased.

When the clock struck 9:30 p.m. and the lights dimmed, the raw energy already warmed up by special guests Daisy Grenade, Meet Me at the Altar and Knuckle Puck exploded with an impressive appearance of State Champs. As the band took the stage, there was no doubt that Phoenix was not just another stop on their tour but a party of music, a celebration of a new chapter in the band’s journey, and a showcase of dynamic freshness from their recently released self-titled album, State Champs.

State Champs started their night with “Silver Cloud,” an introspective track from their new album. This intimate song set the tone for the night, showcasing their sounds, fresh energy, and evolution, with its upbeat tempo interleaved with mellow sections. Fans were treated to six tracks from the album, including “Silver Cloud,” “Light Blue,” “Too Late to Say,” “Hell of It,” “Tight Grip” and “Save Face Story.” Each song resonates with the same level of emotional depth.

This song selection is a perfect snapshot of their latest album, showing the audience their signature style and new aspects of their music, especially the maturity and introspective elements in lyrics. State Champs' new album is a blend of their autograph sound and new music influences, marking another chapter in their musical evolution. When listening to this latest album, the audience will be surprised by its vast emotional spectrum, highlighted by the softer side in “Too Late To Say.” Moreover, this album explores the complexity of navigating life. With tracks like “Silver Cloud” and “Just a Dream.” The emotional depth of the lyrics and the connection between State Champs and fans were taken to a higher level, blurring the gap between performers and the audience.

As the night approached its end and the final notes faded, State Champs left the crowd craving for more. After the set, the fans stayed at The Van Buren to seize the opportunity to interact with the performers.

State Champs is going on tour with Daisy Grenade, Meet Me at the Altar and Knuckle Puck and will be in Denver and Detroit on Nov. 19 and 22.