My new permanent emo phase with State Champs at Asbury Park, November 7, 2025

Written and Photography by Rash Vinakota

So, here we are. My first concert. I think it’s really funny how I managed to get myself into the craziest, most insane pop punk show for my first concert but here we are. State Champs was incredible. From the vibes of the crowd, to the band’s performance, the experience was surreal and unforgettable. 

 

They played a sold out show at House of Independents in Asbury Park. It wasn’t only a struggle to find parking but also a struggle to navigate the hundreds of cheering fans through the venue. The show was opened by two bands– Super Sometimes and Stateside. The crowd only got rowdier when State Champs took the stage and opened with Remedy. 

They played a mix of songs from their many albums– most popular were All You Are Is History, Outta My Head, Slow Burn, Everybody But You and more. They also played Common Sense from their most recent album “(For The) Hell Of It”. By their third set, they fully converted me into a fan. And I was a fan of their music before I went to this show. 

In all honesty, I am very new to the pop punk scene so there were still a few things about this show that surprised me. I gotta mention the crowdsurfers. When the show began, it was the most insane thing I’ve ever seen. An airborne fan almost kicked my camera but it was the coolest thing ever to see an entire community come together and interact with each other and help carry crowdsurfers. These are all total strangers. I was witnessing a “music brings people together” moment. 

It was helping each other when they fell, looking for lost stuff, making sure no one spoiled anyone else’s experience. It was also surprising and heartwarming to see entire families at the show enjoying the music. On the flip side, watching the lead vocalist Derek DiScanio fully toss a crowdsurfing kid back into the crowd was interesting to say the least. 

The show ended on a bang with one of the band’s most popular songs, Secret. The next stop on their tour is in Amityville, New York followed by Hartford, Connecticut. After a few more stops in the United States, they’re flying across the ocean to Europe. The next time tri-state-ians will be able to see them is in January 2026 when they come back and play in Philly, New York and Boston. 

State Champs, you will be seeing me again in January but until then, I can’t get this show outta my head outta my head. 

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Lead Vocalist – Derek DiScanio

Bass – Ryan Scott Graham

Guitar – Tyler Szalkowski

Drums – Evan Ambrosio