Stefan Babcock of PUP

PUP closed the night at The Ritz in Raleigh on September 13, 2025, as one half of the co-headlining “A Cataclysmic Rapture of Friendshipness” tour with Jeff Rosenstock. The Canadian punk band, signed to Little Dipper/Rise Records, are supporting their fifth studio album Who Will Look After the Dogs? (2025), produced by John Congleton, which includes singles like “Paranoid,” “Hallways,” “Get Dumber” featuring Rosenstock, and “Olive Garden.” Their discography also includes PUP (2013), The Dream Is Over (2016), Morbid Stuff (2019), and The Unraveling of PUPTheBand (2022), albums that earned JUNO nominations, Polaris Prize recognition, and critical acclaim. In Raleigh, their set interlaced new tracks with fan favorites, met with constant crowd surfing, chants, and sing-alongs. Lighting moved between cooler hues for slower tracks and fiery tones for their faster material, while merchandise featured new album vinyl variants, cover-art shirts, posters, and limited back-catalog pieces. Their official website is https://www.puptheband.com/

PUP

Jeff Rosenstock performed before PUP, continuing his solo career momentum that began after The Arrogant Sons of Bitches and Bomb the Music Industry!, and now encompasses We Cool? (2015), Worry (2016), Post- (2018), No Dream(2020), Ska Dream (2021), and Hellmode (2023) on Polyvinyl. His catalog has earned wide acclaim in end-of-year lists and cemented his role as one of punk’s most socially conscious voices. At The Ritz, Rosenstock’s set featured Hellmodehighlights alongside older staples, with fans shouting every lyric back and responding to call-and-response breaks. Stage lighting emphasized intensity and clarity, focusing on performance over spectacle. His merch table carried Hellmode LPs, t-shirts with lyric themes, posters, and bundles with past albums. The tour itself launched September 3, 2025, in Saint Paul and runs through October with stops in major U.S. cities including Chicago, Brooklyn, Boston, Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Denver. Built around PUP’s new record and their long friendship with Rosenstock, it emphasizes community, mental health, and solidarity, reflected in collaborations like their joint single “Get Dumber.” Behind the scenes, both bands share crew resources and frequently collaborate offstage, with Rosenstock’s presence influencing PUP’s approach to merch sustainability and fan engagement. His official website is https://jeffrosenstock.com/

Jeff Rosenstock

Opening the night was Washington, D.C.’s Ekko Astral, signed to Topshelf Records and touring behind their 2024 debut Pink Balloons, praised for its blend of pop-punk, post-hardcore, and queercore energy. Vocalist Jael Holzman led a forceful performance that escalated the crowd into motion by mid-set, with jagged guitars and urgent delivery underscoring themes of identity and resistance. Lighting was moody and shadow-driven, letting the raw set speak for itself. Merch included vinyl and CD editions of Pink Balloons, pins, tapestries, and graphic shirts. Recognized as a rising act on punk year-end lists, Ekko Astral has also been active in queer community organizing and cause-driven events. Their official website is https://www.ekkoastral.com/

Ekko Astral