Live Review : PUP + Jeff Rosenstock + Ekko Astral @ The Eastern, Atlanta - September 22nd 2025

Bailey Plymel
Sep 24
3 min read

Updated: 7 days ago

Black t-shirts, red plaid, ripped jeans, and don’t forget the Converse – Toronto’s punk outfit PUP sends their fans into an electric frenzy. The CATACLYSMIC RAPTURE OF FRIENDSHIPNESS tour sold out The Eastern in Atlanta on September 22nd. It was truly a night to remember with supporting act Jeff Rosenstock and special guest Ekko Astral, groups that embody a full spectrum of the born-again genre. Feel the party? Ekko Astral’s new wave psychedelica variant of a time-tested punk sound brings a refreshing mix that fully complements Jeff Rosenstock’s raw alternative blend, preparing an already excited audience for PUP’s headline performance on a sold-out Monday night. Ekko Astral proclaimed, “You know how lucky you are, Atlanta? You’ll never see bands duel like this again.”

Jeff Rosenstock - Photo by Bailey Plymel

The pop punk scene in the past decade hasn’t had as many bands as formative and electrifying as PUP. Their raw energy, emotionally charged lyrics, and live shows turn every crowd into chaos. Crowd surfing and communal joy, PUP has carved out a space that’s as influential as it’s exhilarating. Pup quickly became known for their studio albums, loaded with hooks and self-deprecating wit. Stefan on lead vox and guitar just explodes: sheer intensity. If you’ve never been to a PUP show, change that now. You become a part of the performance. The energy is contagious. The room is alive. For a lot of fans, PUP’s music is a lifeline. If you ask my friend Cody, he would tell you they’re the reason he’s still alive right now. He celebrated by taking the plunge: crowd surfing at the height of “Dark Days” from PUP’s premiere 2014 self-titled album. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments. I was totally hooked.

PUP tackles themes of anxiety and uncertainty, and the messy process of growing up. Wrapped up in out-of-body riffs and ripping choruses. If you ask my friend Sean, he would say, “Dude, they’re the best band ever!” They are brutally honest and ridiculously fun. The music represents a broader tapestry of a genre that is ever-evolving and fosters a time and place where everyone belongs. It’s a catharsis of massive energy. Rad. I stood on the balcony and watched the crowd have the best night ever and thought to myself, “How lucky am I?” Admittedly, I had never seen the band before. I had no idea that I was about to review one of my favorites of 2025.

PUP’s remaining tour dates snake across the southern US with major plays in Dallas and Austin before their anticipated Hollywood Palladium show in Los Angeles on October 2nd. A grueling tour schedule, they perform nearly every night from October through the middle of December, ending their run in Hamilton, Ontario, after crossing the border into Canada at the end of November. If you miss these shows, it’s your fault. PUP is supporting their newest album, “Who Will Look After The Dogs,” with a track featuring supporting act Jeff Rosenstock, “Get Dumber,” and, frankly, you may not see this collab live again. Rebel on!