The Summer School Tour Delivers a Night of Nonstop Energy at Minneapolis' Uptown Theater

The Summer School Tour made its stop at the Uptown Theater in Minneapolis on Friday, July 17, delivering an evening packed with energetic performances, passionate fans, and a lineup that never seemed to slow down. From the first band to the final song, the crowd stayed engaged with constant moshing, crowd surfing, and loud singalongs that made the venue feel alive all night.

The evening began with Milwaukee band Lake Drive, who got the crowd moving early and set the tone for the rest of the night. Even as fans were still making their way into the theater, the energy in the room was already building.

Next was Chase Petra, the punk rock trio from Long Beach, California. Their mix of punk, indie rock, and sharp songwriting connected quickly with the audience. Songs like "Centrifugal Force," "Two Nights in New York," and "Lullabies for Dogs" had fans moving while introducing newer listeners to the band's energetic sound.

South Arcade, from Oxford, England, brought a fun early-2000s-inspired style that stood out from the rest of the lineup. Their catchy songs, including "2005," "MOTH KIDS," and "Stone Cold Summer," kept the momentum going. During their final song, every member of the band came out wearing matching bikini tops, which caught the crowd by surprise and brought plenty of laughs and cheers. Throughout the night, a few bands also showed some Minnesota pride by incorporating Twin-inspired outfits or accessories into their stage looks, something local fans clearly appreciated.

Games We Play, from Miami, Florida, kept the energy climbing with their blend of pop-punk and rock. Their performance featured songs like "Get a Job," "Deadbeat," and "I Hope You're Happy," with plenty of interaction between the band and the audience. By this point, crowd surfers were constantly making their way toward the barricade while mosh pits opened across the floor.

When Winona Fighter, from Nashville, Tennessee, hit the stage, the atmosphere reached another level. Lead singer Coco Kinnon delivered one of the most exciting performances of the night. She barely stood still, constantly running across the stage, climbing onto speakers, and encouraging the audience to get louder. One of the biggest highlights came when she jumped into the crowd and crowd surfed while continuing to perform. Their set featured songs including "Hamms in a Glass," "Swimmer's Ear," and "I'm in the Market to Please No One," all of which kept the audience singing and moving from beginning to end. Their Version of the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” was huge moment of the night as the crowd sang and bounced around one cue with Kinnon and Minneapolis born bassist Austin Luther originally from Marshall, MN.

Closing out the evening was Honey Revenge, from Los Angeles, California. They took the stage to an already energized crowd and somehow managed to raise the excitement even more. Fans continued crowd surfing and opening mosh pits throughout their set, while the band delivered songs such as "Airhead," "Recipe for Disaster," "Distracted," and "Rerun." Their performance was a fitting end to a night built around high-energy music and an enthusiastic fanbase.

The Summer School Tour proved to be a celebration of today's pop-punk and alternative music scene. Every band brought its own personality while feeding off the crowd's enthusiasm, making for a memorable night at the Uptown Theater. With nonstop energy, standout performances, and a room full of fans giving everything they had, it was an easy reminder of why live music continues to bring people together.