The Runarounds light up Royal Oak Music Theatre with explosive energy, swagger, and soaring hooks, joined by The Back Alley for a grooving, electric night.
The room snapped to attention the moment The Back Alley hit the stage. The Chicago indie rock quintet played loud, fast, and fully locked in, delivering a set built on striking riffs, catchy vocals, and constant motion. From the opening moments, it was clear this band thrives on momentum.
Guitarists Salvatore Defilippis and Jaden Cone traded sharp riffs and textured layers, keeping the sound big and kinetic. Hunter Olshefke’s bass anchored the songs with thick, driving lines while Ben Kremer powered everything forward with punchy, relentless drums. Songs like “Brand New” and “Always Alright” landed hard, pulling the crowd in with hooks that felt both urgent and familiar.
Vocalist Ralph Porter stood at the center of it all as a magnetic frontman. He never stayed still, dancing with his bandmates, jumping across the stage, and pulling the crowd in with every chorus. His energy carried through “Gump” and “Grey Skies,” pushing each song higher without losing control.
The connection with the audience went beyond the stage. Porter and Cone both jumped into the pit multiple times, jamming face-to-face with fans and turning the floor into part of the performance. By the time “What You Want” closed the set, the room felt fully charged, fueled by sweat, volume, and a band that clearly feeds off live chaos.
The sold-out crowd barely had time to catch its breath before The Runarounds strutted onto the stage to deafening cheers. As part of their Minivan Tour, the Valentine’s Day show leaned into celebration, with the band decked out in heart-shaped glasses and headbands that matched the joy radiating from the crowd.Formed in 2021 after a casting call brought them together for the Netflix series Outer Banks, the band has quickly evolved beyond their screen origins. Now starring in their own self-titled series on Amazon, they continue to prove that their real-life chemistry hits even harder live.
From early highlights like “Ghosts” and “Cellophane,” the group confidently leaned into their raw, sunny pop-punk sound. William Lipton and Axel Ellis traded guitar and vocal duties with effortless chemistry, stacking harmonies over bright riffs while still carrying grit. Jeremy Yun added texture and bite through jam-heavy guitar work that stretched songs in all the right places. The rhythm section kept everything grounded and explosive. Jesse Golliher anchored the melodies with punchy bass lines and harmonies while Zendé Murdock powered the set with crisp, relentless drumming that never let the energy dip. The band moved like a unit, feeding off one another and the crowd, letting moments breathe before launching back into full-throttle rock.
Standout moments piled up quickly. “Beautiful Stranger” and “Arrhythmia” landed with emotional weight, while “Bleachers” and “Minivan” sparked waves of jumping and sing-alongs. Covers of Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” and Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie” felt celebratory rather than nostalgic, woven seamlessly into the set.
They wound the show down with “Funny How The Universe Works” and “Senior Year,” before closing out the set with “Downtown,” sealing a night that proved The Runarounds are far more than an on-screen creation. This was authentic rock energy, delivered with heart, humor, and a packed house singing every word.
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