Summer School was in session at Starland Ballroom on Saturday July 27th in Sayreville, NJ. Idobi Radio Summer School Tour is a brand new touring festival that aims to put new music discovery at the forefront. When this tour was announced, it was as if the stars aligned and the next generation of pop-punk stars were all going to go on tour together. This is huge and revolutionary. Louder for those in the back — this is a BIG deal.
The Idobi Radio Summer School Tour inaugural touring festival lineup included: Stand Atlantic, Magnolia Park, The Home Team, Scene Queen, Honey Revenge, and Letdown.
Some background
The tour was founded by Eric Tobin (Hopeless Records), Michael Kaminsky (KMGMT), and Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour). These three founders recognized a need for new bands to have their own moment and access to fans also looking for an affordable way to have a community and cultural home. Tobin, Kaminsky, and Lyman’s greatest hope is that the artists of idobi Radio Summer School today become the headliners of tomorrow.
The festival is specifically championing independent artists, labels and promoters, with 100% of the sponsorship money going to subsidize lower ticket prices,” shared the founders. “All sponsors were chosen based on their ability to support the artists or fans on the tour. idobi is using their vast media reach to boost the profiles of every artist. OneRPM is subsidizing ticket prices, lowering costs for the fans. Hot Topic will not only amplify the festival with its massive marketing reach, but also support the artists involved throughout its vast network of retail stores. It’s important that our sponsors uphold the values of our scene, and we are excited for them to contribute to the community in a meaningful way alongside us.
Excited fans eager to take part in this this new touring idea lined up around the venue building. Everyone was energized and talking about what they hoped for the night. Once inside it was hard not to miss the merch stands and lines. With these 6 amazingly talented but still up and coming bands, merch was in high demand among the fans wanting to show their support of both the bands and the tour concept. The stage room was packed with fans all revved up and ready to party. The stage was adorned with the summer school background, along with too large free-standing screens on either side used not only during sets, but to highlight some amazing artists. The continuous background but somewhat different projections was perfect to unify of the tour, while also literally and figuratively spotlight each bands uniqueness.
The first band to take to the stage was Letdown. As soon as they took to the stage everyone knew that they made the correct decision in attending and that the night was going to be off the charts amazing. A packed room instantly started jumping along with their music, and everyone was smiling with the experience.
Letdown. is an alternative / indie band started during the 2020 pandemic by Chicago-based Blake Coddington. After posting his music on TikTok, he saw quick fan growth. They performed many of their fan favorite songs including “Hate Myself” and “Crying In The Shower”. If you haven’t heard these songs, go have a listen. Catchy songs with fun lyrics and even more energizing beats. This could be said about all their songs. Just binge this band. You won’t regret it.
LETDOWN.
Honey Revenge was on the stage next. With their super fun pink-themed attire, they rocked the room and had everyone screaming along with their songs. Opening with their song “Recipe For Disaster”, this act was anything but. So much talent and fun energy. Jumping around on the stage and fully engaging with the audience, each song was a full pop-punk experience. They also started up the crowd surfing that continued and intensified as the night went on.
Other songs included favorites such as “Are You Impressed” and “Rerun”. They ended with their incredibly fun and addicting song “Airhead”.
Honey Revenge is an American pop rock band formed in Los Angeles in 2021. Members include Devin Papadol (lead vocals) and Donovan Lloyd (guitar)
The next band of the night was The Home Team. The Home Team is a Seattle based band formed in 2013 and includes members Brian Butcher (vocals), John Baran (guitar), Ryne Olson (bass), and Daniel Matson (drums). They branded themselves as “heavy pop”. Their unique style exponentially energized the crowd and is clearly a band that understands what people want and need from their music.
The group started their show with “Brag” and continued with many of their favorites including “Turn You Off” and “Loud”. They also had an outstanding drum start into their song “Hell”, which is off of their recently released album The Crucible Of Life.
Up next was Stand Atlantic. Stand Atlantic is an Australian pop punk band that formed in 2012. Members include Bonnie Fraser (vocals/ rhythm guitar), David Potter (lead guitar), Miki Rich (bass), and Jonno Panichi (drums).
This group’s sound is so well rounded and solid that is truly confusing how they not even more well known. They are one of those bands that project vibes that any second, they are going to completely blowup into full stardom.
They started the night with their energizing and fun song “Warzone”. This single just got released in February of this year. They also played an outstanding version of their incredibly popular and awesome song “KILL[H]ER”. At one point during their show Fraser had the disco lights turned on which was a spectacular sight lighting up their sea fans.
Next on the stage was Scene Queen. Scene Queen came onto the stage saturated filled with alternate barbie infused vibes. The extremely entertaining, musically talented and extremely hilarious lead vocalist Hannah Collins self-coined the musical style “bimbo-core”. This is a perfect description, and the music is a punk-pop version of exactly what this sounds like. Bouncing around on the stage, egging the audience on to participate in rocking the room and high-fiving the crowd surfers, Collins made sure her fans (and newly turned fans) were loving every second of the performance. The pinkness and barbie themes of Scene Queen is not hard to miss. Songs played included “Pink Push-Up Bra”, “Pink Paper” and highly entertaining song titled “Barbie and Ken”.
Magnolia Park closed out the show Saturday night. They often explain on social media that if you love Blink-182 and Sum 41, you would also love their group. This cannot be a more perfect and accurate description. This group is the epitome of next generation pop-punk.
The group formed in 2018 in Orlando, Florida and currently includes members Joshua Roberts (lead vocals), Tristan Torres (guitar, backing vocals), Freddie Criales (guitar, backing vocals), Joe Horsham (drums, percussion) and Vincent Ernst (keyboards, programming, backing vocals).
Songs played included the soul energizing favorites such as “Misfits” (an awesome song and instantly addicting)” and “Addison Rae”. Everyone was jumping around and having a true pop-punk style party (of course also including tossing around fun inflatables). The were the perfect group to end the night having everyone leaving the venue wanting more fun.
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