House of Music

PUP Brings Punk Energy to Oakland’s Fox Theater

PUP Fox Theater Oakland, CA October 4th, 2025 Photos by Angela Peyton, Review by Kienan Knight-Boehm Ekko Astral welcomed concertgoers Saturday night with loud and pointedly raw punk; heartfelt interludes and exposition accompanied the DC-based band’s energetic and off-beat noisy rock. Following them on stage was the first half of the night’s dual-headline bill, Jeff…

Staff

October 8, 2025

1–2 minutes

PUP

Fox Theater

Oakland, CA

October 4th, 2025

Photos by Angela Peyton, Review by Kienan Knight-Boehm

Ekko Astral welcomed concertgoers Saturday night with loud and pointedly raw punk; heartfelt interludes and exposition accompanied the DC-based band’s energetic and off-beat noisy rock. Following them on stage was the first half of the night’s dual-headline bill, Jeff Rosenstock unleashed a furiously powerful stage presence and jumped along to indie rock every bit as much as the audience. He formed a rapport with the crowd between songs, reminding us that everyone should be there for the same two reasons: to have a good time, and to make each other feel safe. Moments later, as he sung his heart out, a wall of death collided in the pit. The other half of the night’s main bill, PUP, bounced onstage with charm and joy. Frontman Stefan Babcock opened the set by looking around the venue and announcing “hiya! we’re PUP” before launching into their signature cacophonic, rattle-the-wheels-off-the-tour-van punk.

Near the end of the night, Babcock announced that they had prepared a surprise for the audience, and set to the familiar strains of “Thus Spake Zarathustra”, a homemade banner of black cloth and silver gaffer tape rose in the back of the stage, proclaiming “DOUBLE BAND”. So began the highlight of the night, with PUP welcoming Rosenstock and his entourage back on stage to collaborate for four songs. The two bands played together like old friends relishing the height of the party, with Rosenstock whirling around stage between the monitors and Babcock leaping off it for a brief crowdsurf, but the night was not yet finished–both bands invited opener Ekko Astral to share the stage with them as well and closed the night with a raucous cover of Alanis Morisette’s “You Oughta Know” that had concertgoers skipping and shouting out the exits of the Fox Theater–at least, those who didn’t stay for the impromptu dance part in the pit as “Hot to Go!” played post-concert.