When Keep Flying rolls into a room, it never stays calm for long. The six-piece punk-infused band packed the Funhouse wall-to-wall on their Time & Tide Tour, celebrating the release of their debut LP Time & Tide. Known for blending high-energy punk rhythms with saxophone and trombone melodies, Keep Flying has carved out a unique sound and a fiercely loyal fanbase. Pittsburgh showed up big, selling the show out in anticipation of a wild Thursday night pop punk party.
Opening the night with a punch of fresh energy, East Coast Envy wasted no time setting the tone. Their catchy hooks and driving riffs got the crowd moving almost immediately, and their chemistry onstage was impossible to miss. Each song felt bigger than the room itself, and their energy built steadily through the set. Even those unfamiliar with the band beforehand were bobbing along by the end, and East Coast Envy left the stage to loud cheers and a sea of smiling faces.
Old Neon took things up another notch with a performance that lived up to their reputation for electric live shows. The Pittsburgh natives made the night into a hometown celebration, mixing old favourites with recently released singles off their upcoming EP Resolution. “Nobody’s Burden” carried powerful messages of resilience and self-worth, and the band delivered every chord, every lyric with passion, honesty, and an insane amount of energy. Their newest release, “Better Son,” was equally powerful, exploring the heavy topic of dealing with loss wrapped up in their typical upbeat pop punk flair.
Throughout their set, Old Neon proved why they are one of Pittsburgh’s brightest rising bands. Their time supporting acts like The Spill Canvas and Knuckle Puck and playing festivals like Four Chord had sharpened their craft to a fine edge as they masterfully made the Funhouse their own. There was an enrelenting raw energy behind every song, fueled by months of hard work and relentless effort to perfect their sound. The show was even more exciting than usual as it was guitarist Mike McInnes’ birthday! Birthday cheers rang out from all as the birthday boy got to celebrate in the best way possible: doing what he loves while surrounded by friends. There’s really nothing better.
Everyone in the packed Funhouse couldn’t help but jump and cheer and sing along. As the lights bounced off the crowd’s raised hands, it was obvious Old Neon had left a mark, and their upcoming EP release is sure to turn even more heads their way. Catch Old Neon back in the Burgh at Bottlerocket on May 23rd to celebrate the release of Resolution!
When Keep Flying finally hit the stage, the Funhouse practically exploded with energy. The band tore into a set loaded with songs from Time & Tide, which released earlier in the day, mixing bright, soaring choruses with brass sections that had the whole room moving. Every member of the band seemed to radiate joy, and their constant motion across the stage made it impossible to look away. Keep Flying turned the sold-out room into one big, sweaty family for the night, and celebrated their debut album in style!
April 24th, 2025
