Live Review : Silversun Pickups + Hannah Cole @ Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta GA – July 30th 2025

Chris Collett
Aug 1
2 min read

Updated: Aug 19

If you’ve ever wondered what nostalgia sounds like through a wall of fuzz and synth, Silversun Pickups gave Atlanta the answer. Their stop at Buckhead Theatre on July 30 wasn’t just another night on tour. It was a full-on immersion in the sonic universe they’ve been building since Carnavas. From the first feedback-laced note, the energy hit hard and didn’t let up. The crowd was fully present, singing, swaying, and soaking in every sound.

Hannah Cole opened the evening with a quiet intensity that caught everyone off guard. Her voice had this gentle sharpness to it that cut through the chatter and made people pay attention. Her set leaned into warm, vulnerable tones, giving the room a sense of calm before the storm. By the time she finished, she had earned more than polite applause. She had earned respect.

The band kicked things off with “Well Thought Out Twinkles” and never let the energy dip. Songs like “The Royal We,” “Panic Switch,” and “Substitution” were huge in the room, with the crowd yelling along in all the right places. Nikki’s bass lines and vocal harmonies held it all together while Brian’s voice drifted between urgent and fragile. “Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)” was a mid-set standout, delivering an emotional gut punch that stopped time for a minute.

Visually, the show was everything it needed to be without going overboard. Thick lighting, slow fades, and smoke that caught every beam just right. The band performed mostly backlit against a hazy glow, which somehow made each song feel more cinematic. You could tell they’ve done this a while, but nothing about the night felt routine.

Then came the encore. “Long Gone” was played acoustic, giving the night a tender, stripped-down moment. It let you breathe. Then came “The Pit” and “Empty Nest,” building things back up before they dropped into the closing explosion of “Lazy Eye.” That one hit like muscle memory. Everyone in the room knew every rise and fall, and the final chorus felt like a collective exhale.

Silversun Pickups are one of those bands that quietly reshaped indie rock and never stopped experimenting. This show was a reminder of how good they are at making you feel everything all at once. Atlanta showed up for them, and they gave it right back. 10 out of 10 would recommend seeing them, over and over and over again!