Preview: PUP and Rosenstock at The Anthem

This Friday, two of pop punk’s longest-standing yet freshest-sounding acts will grace the home of their hardcore forefathers. Toronto’s PUP and New York’s Jeff Rosenstock will come together at The Anthem, delivering hook-heavy anthems and sweaty sing-alongs for the night. 

Touring on the heels of their fourth studio album, Who Will Look After the Dogs, PUP looks to hook fans with novel ideas without sacrificing 2010s nostalgia. The project’s heavier riffs will complement crowd-shouted choruses, pushing their live sound to places even their 2023 touring cycle might not have breached. Whether it’s your fourth time seeing the band or your first, PUP’s set promises something new for everyone.

Rosenstock, on the other hand, returns with as much variety and verve as ever. Known for blending elements of ska, pop punk, and post-hardcore, Rosenstock’s sonic versatility has garnered him a cult following. Jeff’s most recent project, composing for Cartoon Network’s Craig of the Creek, should assure these fans that he’s in as creative and adaptable a place as ever. Jeff has the songwriting chops to back up his musical range, with tracks lyrically spanning from vulnerable to mosh-inducing. What’s a diverse, DIY creation in the studio can only become more dynamic live, with the help of D.C.’s tried-and-true crowds.

After showcasing their distinctive sounds separately, PUP and Rosenstock will cap off the night with a collaborative closing performance. In a scene defined by chaos, teaming up to invite more of it sets the stage for a one-of-a-kind punk event.

You can join in on the mayhem this Friday, Sept. 12, at The Anthem. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.