Real Friends forms punk rock sanctuary in San Diego

When an explosive lineup of four alternative punk rock bands from the Real Friends: Forever and Ever and Ever tour stopped in San Diego on Tuesday night, it created an intensely animated atmosphere of community, camaraderie, and sanctuary among musicians and crowd members alike.

As the night progressed, a sense of safe haven within the venue grew as each band took the stage, with all groups referencing the day’s election in some way. While the election results flowed in, the bands emphasized—each in their own words—that music serves as an outlet for community, love, and togetherness.

They invited the crowd to escape for a few hours and savor the time within those walls.

The evening began with Dallas-based project Slow Joy, the brainchild of Esteban Flores, who encouraged everyone to loosen up and forget about what was happening outside the venue. Flores, who began making music in 2020, coined his sound as “Chicano Heavy,” blending alternative punk-rock vibes with his Mexican heritage. The guitar-heavy, passionate, and dynamic result of this fusion was evident as Slow Joy livened up the audience.

Flores was a heartening presence on stage, fostering joy and laughter throughout his set. In a playful lyric swap during the song “Cowboy King,” Flores replaced “neon” with “San Diego” in the line, “if you married me under the neon lights,” solidifying Slow Joy as a crowd favorite.

With the audience warmed up by Slow Joy, Carly Cosgrove followed, bringing an incredible aura to the stage. The trio delivered complex, vulnerable, and high-energy songs (often with Nickelodeon-themed titles) filled with emo punk rock riffs and heartfelt lyrics. Fronted by singer and guitarist Lucas Naylor, alongside bassist Helen Barsz and drummer Tyler Kramer, the Philadelphia-based band captivated the venue with selections from their LPs, See You in Chemistry and The Cleanest of Houses Are Empty. As their set progressed, the audience buzzed with energy and anticipation.

When it was Can’t Swim’s turn, the stage erupted with intensity. Lead singer Chris LoPorto and bassist/vocalist Greg McDevitt threw themselves—quite literally—into their performance, with McDevitt frequently leaping into the air. Drummer Blake Gammel commanded attention with his dynamic stage presence.

Hailing from New Jersey, Can’t Swim has been crafting music since its formation in 2015. Their curated setlist, which drew from a mix of LPs, EPs, and singles, was a mosh-inducing, satisfying showcase of the band’s discography. LoPorto’s emotionally charged vocals paired seamlessly with McDevitt’s gravelly screams to create a fiery performance that left the crowd exhilarated.

Finally, headliner Real Friends flooded the stage with an unmatched level of energy. The Illinois-based five-piece, originally formed in 2010, recently released their album Blue Hour independently of a record label.

Lead singer Cody Muraro, who joined the band just three years ago, proved to be the kind of in-your-face frontman every punk rock band needs. Alongside bassist Kyle Fasel, guitarists Dave Knox and Eric Hanes, and drummer Brian Blake, Real Friends delivered a seamless yet unpredictable performance.

Muraro made audience participation irresistible, and the crowd eagerly obliged. He crowd-surfed, stood on the rail, stretched the mic toward the audience, and even ventured into the middle of the crowd. In a standout moment, Muraro sang “I’ve Given Up on You” from the band’s 2013 album Put Yourself Back Together while surrounded by fans, who joined in chanting the refrain, “It’s been a lonely year.”

This poignant moment reinforced the theme of music as a source of acceptance and love, perfectly encapsulating the night’s atmosphere as the show drew to a close.

Photography by Elizabeth O’Guin

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