Live Report: Descendents bring punk rock to The Academy

Descendents shook up The Academy on Sunday, selling out the packed venue.

Before the band performed, Circle Jerks took the stage. Their fast-paced guitar and heart-thumping drums instantly excited the crowd, who pushed against each other in a feral mosh.

“Hey how are y’all doing tonight? You having a good time?” asked frontman Keith Morris.

“This next one is one of my favourite Circle Jerks songs,” he continued. “Where my brilliance just fucking shines like all of the galaxies and all of the stars – the punk rock super star that I am. I wrote the lyrics.”

They began playing their 1983 track ‘When the Shit Hits the Fan,’ addressing themes of inflation, unemployment and economic collapse. Highly political, Morris’ wild vocal performance and combative lyrics roused the audience’s spirits.

CircleJerks at The Academy. Copyright CurtisDeSmith.

“There are certain people that exist that don't really need to exist,” he said. “We need in the world, at this particular point in time - especially our part of the world - we need an army of Luigis.” The crowd erupted in cheers.

After the excitement of Circle Jerks, the audience was primed and ready for the main act.

Formed in California, Descendents opened their set with the angsty track ‘Everything Sux’ off their 1996 album. Fans instantly began crashing into one another and forming a mosh pit.

“Hey, what's up Dublin? I think we played here like two years ago, same place,” said frontman Milo Aukerman. “Yeah, this is our first show of the tour."

The title track off their 1985 album I Don’t Want to Grow Up livened the crowd, serving as an anthemic testament to the fragility of youth. Fans screamed the lyrics back at Aukerman, enraptured with movement. Bodies were frequently lifted into the air to crowd surf, leaving many stumbling to the ground.

Stephen Egerton’s performance on guitar was absolutely killer, displayed best on ‘Rotting Out.’ The song was immediately followed by the 37-second track ‘My Dad Sux.’ Short but mighty, bodies slammed into one another as Aukerman delivered his guttural vocals.

Descendents at The Academy. Copyright CurtisDeSmith.

The singer leaned into the crowd, fist-bumping fans and hurling lyrics into their faces.

“Where the fuck are we?” he asked the audience, while performing the band’s 1987 song ‘Van.’ “Dublin! It’s Dublin, I got it. Glad I woke up.”

Another powerhouse of a song was ‘I’m Not a Punk,’ off their 2022 album Milo Goes to College.

“I’m not a punk but you guys could be punk!” Aukerman shouted. “Do the punk thing! Do the punk thing, come on!” With an explosion of guitar and drums, fans collided into each other with intensity.

“Thank you guys, this is the last song,” he added, before playing ‘Smile.’ The guitar-heavy track reinvigorated the crowd. “Dublin, smile!” he shouted, with fans cheering and singing alongside him.

Aukerman thanked the crowd and walked off stage, leaving the audience chanting for more. The band returned for an obligatory encore, firing off a few quick songs before the night came to a close.

Filled with clear passion and an undeniable love of music, Descendents gave fans a night they won't soon forget.