The idobi Radio Summer School Tour, in its inaugural year, made an impressive debut in Orlando at The Vanguard, marking the largest date of the touring festival yet, bringing together a dynamic lineup of bands that showcased the best of up-and-coming talent in the pop punk and alternative scenes. As the brainchild of industry veterans Eric Tobin, Michael Kaminsky, and Kevin Lyman, the festival aimed to provide an affordable yet high-quality music experience for fans, and it certainly delivered on that promise. For just $30 to $50, audiences in 28 cities across the United States can experience some of the hottest acts in the scene in a single day. Headlined by Magnolia Park, The Home Team, Stand Atlantic, and Scene Queen, with strong support from Honey Revenge and Letdown., Summer School offered an unforgettable day of music, camaraderie, and community.
Letdown. kicked off the show with one of the heavier, darker sounding sets of the day. Frontman Blake Coddington’s combination of upper register melodies and lower register vocal fry is perfect for the emotional lyrics and drum-driven sound of Letdown. Their set, beginning with the slow build of “Karma” and ending with their more upbeat, sing-along song “Go To Hell,” certainly warmed up the crowd and prepared them for a day full of talent.
Honey Revenge, the highly buzzed about pop rock representatives of the tour, fed off that energy and delivered a performance that was extremely fun and more than impressive. Opening with their latest single “Recipe For Disaster,” they immediately got the crowd dancing, jumping, and singing along. This engagement never ceased throughout their set, which featured banger after banger. Anyone in the audience who were not fans of Honey Revenge going into the show undoubtedly left as supporters.
Up next, Scene Queen took to the stage with a set that was as bold and unapologetic as it was entertaining. Known for her genre-blending style that incorporates elements of pop, metalcore, and hip-hop, Scene Queen brought a rebellious energy to the stage both sonically and lyrically. Tracks like "18+" and "Pink Rover" showcased her unique sound and fearless persona. Her stage presence was captivating, with every movement exuding confidence and charisma, making it impossible for the audience to look away. The crowd's enthusiastic response underscored the impact of her music and the strong connection she has with her fans.
The genre-blending didn’t stop there, with Stand Atlantic taking to the stage next. Originally gaining attention as a pop punk act, the band has evolved over their three album discography and have been introducing more electronic and heavier elements into their newest sound. Their set spanned their tenure as a band, paying homage to their pop punk roots with tracks like “Lavender Bones” and “Jurassic Park,” while previewing what’s to come with singles off their upcoming album, WAS HERE, to be released on August 23rd. Led by vocalist Bonnie Fraser, the band displayed top tier musicianship and stage presence, leaving a lasting impression on the crowd.
Seattle “heavy pop” rockers The Home Team followed, bringing their unique blend of pop punk and post-hardcore to the stage. Their set was a rollercoaster of high-energy anthems and melodic breakdowns, perfectly exemplified in songs like "Roommates" and "Overtime." Vocalist Brian Butcher's impressive range and dynamic performance along with choreographed kicks and spins from guitarist John Baran and bassist Ryne Olsen captivated the audience. The Home Team's ability to seamlessly mix catchy hooks with heavier elements made their performance a standout moment of the festival. With the recent release of their third studio album The Crucible of Life, The Home Team are on the rise and there’s no slowing them down.
Magnolia Park closed out the night to their hometown crowd. Known for their emo-influenced pop punk sound, they quickly had the crowd singing along to hits like "Misfits,” "Addison Rae,” and “Feel Something.” With Honey Revenge on the tour, it should come as no surprise that Devin Papadol made a special appearance for a live performance of “Unholy Heart.” The collaboration added an extra layer of excitement to the set, highlighting the camaraderie and mutual respect among the tour's artists. Magnolia Park’s stage presence was magnetic, with frontman Joshua Roberts engaging the audience with his powerful vocals and infectious energy.
In conclusion, the inaugural year of Summer School was a resounding success. The festival's showcasing of emerging talent made for an unforgettable experience, with headliners Magnolia Park, The Home Team, Stand Atlantic, and Scene Queen each bringing their unique flair to the stage and supporting bands Honey Revenge and Letdown. perfectly rounding out what the tour had to offer. Summer School 2024 has set a high bar for future years, and fans are already eagerly anticipating what next year will bring.
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