This past Friday, The Story So Far brought their high-octane pop-punk sound to the historic Brooklyn Paramount, delivering a show that was as cathartic as it was rousing. Fans packed the venue from wall to wall and up to the pews, selling out the show entirely, there wasn’t a moment not buzzing with anticipation, and the California-based band did not disappoint, cementing their reputation as one of the genre’s most influential live acts.

Emerging from Walnut Creek, California, The Story So Far has solidified their place as one of the most vital bands in the modern pop-punk and emo revival scenes. Since their formation in 2007, the band has become known for their relatable lyrics, melodic yet aggressive sound, and vivacious live performances.

The band was formed by five high school friends—Parker Cannon (vocals), Kevin Geyer (guitar), Kelen Capener (bass), Ryan Torf (drums), and a rotating second guitarist lineup—who bonded over their love of punk and hardcore music. The name “The Story So Far” was inspired by a New Found Glory song, reflecting their early influences.

After self-releasing a few demos, they caught the attention of Pure Noise Records, with whom they signed in 2010. Their debut EP, While You Were Sleeping (2010), set the stage for their breakthrough into the pop-punk scene.

In 2011, The Story So Far released their debut full-length album, Under Soil and Dirt, which quickly became a defining record of the early 2010s pop-punk wave. Tracks like “Roam,” “Quicksand,” and “Mt. Diablo” showcased their ability to blend fast-paced punk rhythms with introspective, resonant lyrics. The album struck a chord with fans, earning the band a dedicated following and critical acclaim. Under Soil and Dirt was a revolutionary debut that, to this day, fans cherish, immediately putting The Story So Far on the map as a band destined to be a favorite within the genre for years to come.

After a six year wait since the release of the band’s junior album, and my personal favorite record of theirs, Proper Dose, The Story So Far returned with I Want To Disappear in 2024. The ten-song album encapsulates the emotional intensity and musical craftsmanship that have defined their career while offering a collection of tracks that feel both urgent and universally personal, reflecting the band’s growth as artists and individuals.

Recorded and mixed by Jon Markson at The Animal Farm studio in Flemington, NJ, I Want To Disappear opens with the frenetic energy of “All This Time” and “Watch You Go,” evoking the trademark intensity that fans have come to adore. Songs like “Jump The Gun” and “Big Blind” showcase their ability to balance emotional vulnerability with a driving, melodic sound, while the closer, “White Shores,” demonstrates their maturity and evolution.

The album’s creation came during a period of personal and professional challenges for the band. “We kind of grew out of our 20s between this record and the last,” drummer Ryan Torf shares, emphasizing the transformative experiences that shaped the writing process. The band took their time, ensuring the record truly represented where they are today. “We leaned into what was working and pushed ourselves to meet the bar we set for ourselves,” adds guitarist Will Levy.

Balancing the weight of their lyrics with their signature pop-punk energy, I Want To Disappear feels both like a continuation of The Story So Far’s legacy and a bold step into the present. As Torf puts it, “We tried to make something that we connected with, and that hopefully our fans will too. But first and foremost, it’s something we’re proud of.” To further promote the album’s release, the band has embarked on their “I Want To Disappear in the USA” tour alongside Koyo and Superheaven, with Brooklyn being the mid-point to the month-long run.

The Brooklyn Paramount, with its grandiose Art Deco architecture, provided a striking contrast to the raw, youthful ambiance of The Story So Far’s music, creating a visual experience that didn’t call for the stage to be encumbered with any additional flashy elements besides the artists and their instruments. The crowd—a mix of longtime devotees and younger fans—spilled onto the floor and packed into the upper balconies, leaving the air thick with thrill before Koyo even kicked off the evening.

Long Island’s rising stars, Koyo, set the stage ablaze as the first opening act of the show. Known for their invigorating blend of melodic hardcore and emo revival, Koyo was a fantastic start to the evening, providing a set that kept the audience on their toes from the first beat to the last.

Online personality Marc Anderson welcomed Koyo to the stage, earning a roar from the crowd, many of whom were fans of his content. This sense of camaraderie spilled over into Koyo’s set as fans screamed along to every word and began crowd-surfing the moment “I Might Not” filled the empty spaces. As a band local to the area, it was obvious right off the bat that Koyo has already left a lasting impression on New York. Fans were relentlessly cheering, screaming, moshing and crowd-surfing the entirety of their set that by the time Superheaven hit the stage, everyone had to take a moment to cool down for what was to come. Vocalist Joey Chiaramonte’s raw, impassioned delivery was complemented by the band’s tight, dynamic instrumentation, blending aggressive riffs with melodic interludes that felt tailor-made for singalongs. Despite being the first opener, Koyo commanded the stage and audience like seasoned headliners; they’re definitely ones to watch in the scene over the next year.

Next to tackle the beauty of the Brooklyn Paramount was the Pennsylvania-based, grunge-alternative-rock outfit Superheaven. Superheaven’s set took a step back from the high-energy pop-punk style the night began with and was poised to end with, instead inspiring a darker, moodier tone. The crowd remained reserved for the majority of their set, hypnotized by their heavy riffs, haunting melodies, and distorted, atmospheric sound that is, at times, reminiscent of Fontaines D.C. By the end of the set, fans warmed up to the rather unconventional tones that make the band’s sound authentic, matching the unrelenting energy of the artists on stage with a handful of crowd-surfers.

Kicking off with “Big Blind,” The Story So Far wasted no time setting the tone for the remainder of the evening with a blistering pace that barely let up throughout the set. Lead vocalist Parker Cannon commanded the stage with a mix of aggression and vulnerability, his voice brilliantly embodying the emotional dichotomy that defines their music. The band transitioned seamlessly from newer hits like “Letterman” into classics from their debut such as “Quicksand,” showcasing their progression in the industry through driving instrumentals and honest lyrics.

The energy in the room peaked early in the set during “High Regard,” with the crowd erupting into a synchronized mosh pit that engulfed the middle of the standing room area. The band’s tight musicianship was on full display, with Kevin Geyer (guitar), Will Levy (guitar), and Nik Bruzzese (bass) delivering sharp riffs and a powerful rhythm section that carried each song with precision. Drummer Ryan Torf is always a standout live, his frenetic yet controlled drumming kept the crowd moving all night. This was my third time having the honor of witnessing The Story So Far live and they’ve only gotten better with time, their sound becoming more polished and refined in front of audiences over the years. I wholeheartedly say, they are a band worth spending the money on third-party re-sale tickets to see. Not only does their music promote an adrenaline-infused euphoria, they are also phenomenal musicians whose music reaches new depths when heard echoing through a concert hall.

Cannon kept banter to a minimum, letting the music speak for itself, but when he did address the crowd, his words enhanced the band’s connection with their fanbase, creating moments of shared experience. During “White Shores,” Cannon revealed the song’s connection to his father, it was the only time in the set the crowd remained in a revered silence. He mentioned how he wished his dad was still alive to witness such a pivotal milestone in his career, after all a sold-out show in Brooklyn is not an easy feat, and the crowd made sure Cannon felt seen by illuminating the venue with their phone lights. Cannon’s vulnerability unraveled another nuance of the song that made it feel even more profound, I could see in the faces of fans that they felt the weight of the song more than ever before.

The Story So Far’s performance at Brooklyn Paramount was a masterclass in pop-punk showmanship, combined technical precision, emotional resonance, and crowd euphoria. For fans both new and old, the concert was a reminder of the enduring power of music that speaks to life’s highs and lows. Whether screaming in the pit or swaying to the heartfelt ballads in the mezzanine, everyone in attendance walked away feeling like they had been apart of something truly special in the band’s storied career.