The Runarounds Step Out of the Script and Into a Roaring Riviera Crowd
- Ernesto Raul Aguilar
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
The Riviera Theatre was electric long before the night’s headliners took the stage, it was the kind of restless buzz that signals a crowd ready to fully commit to the night.
Photos and Article Contributed by Ernesto Raul Aguilar
By the end of the evening, both The Back Alley and The Runarounds had justified that anticipation with a show that felt expansive, immersive, and undeniably real.
The Back Alley opened the evening with purpose, launching into “Brand New” and immediately establishing a confident, guitar-forward sound that carried across the ornate Uptown venue.
Rather than treating their set as a brief introduction, they approached it like a statement. “Always Alright” followed with buoyant energy, its hooks landing cleanly, while “Gump” leaned into grit, highlighting tight rhythmic interplay and sharp transitions.
“Grey Skies” brought a dynamic shift, building gradually and allowing the band to stretch emotionally without losing control of the room. The textured arrangement filled the theatre without overpowering it, revealing a group comfortable balancing volume with restraint. Their take on “American Girl” turned into a shared moment, drawing singalongs from both the floor and balcony.
Closing with “What You Want” and the unreleased “Is It Me?” The Back Alley left the stage on a high note. The latter, still exclusive to their live performances, felt polished and anthemic, hinting at material already resonating beyond the studio catalog.
When the lights dropped again, the opening riff of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” thundered through the speakers, sending a surge through the crowd as The Runarounds took the stage. It was theatrical without feeling forced, a dramatic entrance that immediately ignited the room.
They opened with “Ghosts,” and from the first chorus it was clear the audience wasn’t just curious, they were invested. “Cellophane” and “Sophia” followed, each tightening the bond between band and crowd as voices rose in unison. Whatever the band’s origin story, the performances carried confidence and polish that translated effortlessly to a live setting.
“15 Root Beers” offered a tonal shift mid-set, that pulled the energy inward and gave the audience space to sway. It added a welcome texture before the momentum surged again. The unreleased “Crossroads,” another tour staple, suggested continued growth and a willingness to expand the catalog in real time.
From there, the set accelerated through “Beautiful Stranger,” “Arrhythmia,” and “Bleachers,” each building on the last. “Minivan” and “Hypocrites” added bite, while “Shoelaces” had the floor moving in unison. A spirited cover of Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” injected raw energy and fed seamlessly into “Killed My Youth” and “Chasing The Good Times.”
The main set closed with “It’s a Wash,” “Funny How the Universe Works,” and “Senior Year,” leaning into nostalgia without losing urgency. For the encore, a lively rendition of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie” set up the final moment: “Downtown,” delivered as a triumphant, full-room release.
Any distinction between scripted beginnings and lived experience had completely dissolved. What remained was a palpable bond between band and audience, and inside the Riviera’s historic walls, both bands showed they had fully earned their place on that stage.