Words by Audrey Snyder, Photos by Ian hoffman

Nothing warms up a snowy March night like international punk — it wouldn’t be a concert in Madison if the openers didn’t play in the snow after their set. Despite the encroaching blizzard, all the acts lit up the night and kept us warm.

The crowds each band brought were each totally different from one another - you wouldn’t find a more diverse room of people in New York City. A quarter of the concert was there to see Destroy Boys, four people raised their hands when Koyo asked who was there to see them and the rest were there for the headliner Rise Against.

The moshes in between each set brought these different groups together, and while the environment wasn’t openly hostile, I did feel a little uncomfortable. I was receiving stares that felt very uncomfortable for a "punk" show, and I could sense the other queer Destroy Boys fans getting a similar vibe from some Rise Against fans. Despite the band Rise Against composing mostly straight-edge vegans, most attendees seemed quite the opposite — grouchy, middle-aged types. Despite these differences in attendees, the cheers outweighed the silence when bands would yell “FUCK ICE.”

The concert started off with self proclaimed, “Stony Brook hardcore,” band Koyo. Despite being the least known and newest band of the three performing, Koyo showed up and showed out. Their set was consistently filled with high-energy moshing and proclamations of love for the audience after every song. By the way they fed off of each other and performed so passionately together you could tell Koyo was all close friends. Despite some of the most antagonizing lyrics of the night, they radiated nothing but compassion in between songs.

The next band was my favorite of the lineup, Destroy Boys. If there’s anything to remember about Destroy Boys, it’s how they perform. The lead singer Alexia Roditis is simply electric in the way they play the guitar, move their body and channel the crowd. The performance was reminiscent of “Old-Way Vogue,” with poses that might belong on the cover of a fashion magazine, all while singing in a way that brings all the attention to themselves.

You can hear the vocal inspiration Roditis takes from groups like Siouxsie & the Banshees, The Growlers and Vampire Weekend, but Alexia Roditis captivates the audience in a way that is wholeheartedly their own.

Chicago’s Rise Against completed the concert, surrounded by intense light work and an ocean of passionate fans cheering. This melodic hardcore band easily contrasted the serene snowfall just beyond the wall by starting with their largest hit. I had never seen so many middle-aged people take out their phones to record something. This energy continued with the cheering of fans, moshing and unbelievable lights for the rest of the concert.

Rise Against might be best known for their outspoken political opinions. They have openly opposed the Iraq War, the first Trump administration and the overturning of Roe V. Wade. They consistently raise money for causes they believe in such as standing up to ICE at Defend Minnesota, Rock Against Bush and refusing to perform on stages endorsed by the US military. Regardless, Rise Against continues to unabashedly and creatively criticize the American government, wars around the world and injustice.

With punk from the west coast, east coast and midwest, each act provided another layer and enriched the concert as a whole, bringing the entire country together in the Sylvee. The loud ecstatic songs completely contrasted the silence of the white blizzard outside. Stepping outside felt like entering another world, the concert a respite from the neverending winter of Wisconsin.

Rise Against, Destroy Boys and Koyo @ The Sylvee

Words by Audrey Snyder, Photos by Ian hoffman