The Runarounds Take on First Ave
A classic tale of boy band turned Amazon series turned national touring act, far from a traditional origin story. Thanks to the success of the show of the same name, The Runarounds, the audience arrived primed and ready for a night spent chasing a good time.
Opening the evening was The Back Alley, who were given the rare and exciting opportunity to introduce themselves to a crowd not only new to their music, but for many, entirely new to the concert-going experience. For some in attendance, this was their very first show. Ever. The Back Alley rose to the moment, taking full advantage of the already packed room and quickly turning newcomers into fans with a tight setlist, energetic stage presence, and instantly memorable songs. Tracks like “Brand New” had the crowd moving early, while on their recent hit “Grey Skies,” lead singer Ralph Porter took a seat center stage, reaching out and singing directly to the audience. Phone lights rose, the room swayed, and an unexpectedly intimate and memorable moment.
With the crowd energized from their first taste of tonight’s promising acts, the crowd pushes forward, cramming into every available space for a closer look at the highly anticipated main act of the night, The Runarounds.
From the moment The Runarounds took the stage, it was clear this wasn’t just a crowd that showed up it was a crowd that knew. Nearly every word was sung back at the band, a full-room chorus that blurred the line between performer and audience. Translating the high-energy chaos of a screen to a live stage can be a daunting feat, but The Runarounds met the moment head-on, delivering the same energy, joy, and reckless momentum that first drew fans in. Honestly, it was louder, sweatier, and undeniably real. Having watched the show myself I was eager to see what their performances were like in real life and it exceeded my expectations.
What stood out most was how much fun the band seemed to be having together. There was an ease to the way they moved across the stage, playful and unforced, as if the night could just as easily turn into a basement jam as a sold-out First Avenue show. Axel Ellis and William Lipton bounced off one another throughout the set, trading riffs, grins, and inside jokes mid-song, while the rest of the band, Jesse Golliher, Jeremy Yun and Zende Murdock rotated seamlessly through moments of spotlight and support. With the show being loosely based on the personas of the bandmates but they aren’t their characters. I do wonder if the crew views their concerts as performing as themselves or their characters? Not sure this really mattered to the ecstatic audience members.
Their sense of genuine friendship carried the night. The Runarounds gave us a set that included every song in their current book, inviting the room along for the ride. The crowd knew every word right back. They brought out their newest single, ‘Changing the Good Times,’ and included their cover of ‘Valerie’ in the encore. By the time they hit their final chords, the crowd was still singing, still pressed forward, still chasing that same feeling the band first sparked on screen. If this show proved anything, it’s that The Runarounds are far more than a story born for television, they’re a band built for the stage. While there is no confirmed seseason two for the show as of now, the read on the room is that the fans are hungry for more.
