Review and photos by Katrina Gelety

On April 16, 2025, Real Friends played a headline show at Ace of Cups in Columbus, Ohio with Broadside and Manor Gates as openers. Manor Gates is local to the Columbus area, and it was so fun to get to see them kick off the night. The audience was engaged and thoroughly enjoyed their entire set. If you live in the Columbus area and have the opportunity to see them play, I would recommend that you go!

Broadside was next on the lineup, and I’ve been a huge fan since their Paradise album and have had the privilege of seeing them live a handful of times. Their energy is always incredible, and I love every song in their discography which always makes the setlist top tier.

They played their new song “I Think They Know” prior to its release and mentioned that it was only their second time playing it live. As soon as the song started, I was instantly hooked. The guitar riff in the beginning of the song provides a funky rhythm while very much still sounding pop-punk. If there’s one thing Broadside knows how to do, it’s make a pop punk song that you can also shake ass to. I’m also obsessed with the vocal melody Oliver Baxxter sings throughout the chorus. The song was released on April 18th, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve had it on repeat daily. 

It also wouldn’t be a Broadside performance if Ollie wasn’t cracking jokes about his height. Prior to singing “I Think They Know,” he said that the song is for “anyone who is paranoid, especially of tall people.” He also stated that the energy the crowd was giving was “enough to make a short guy feel tall.” Each moment made me giggle, and I will always take any opportunity to see Broadside live for the incredible energy and silly jokes.

Once it was time for Real Friends, the sold out crowd was PACKED into the venue. The first song on the setlist was “Waiting Room” which I personally thought was a little rude. I don’t think they needed to start off the show with the song that makes me cry on a regular basis… but I still loved it anyway.

It didn’t take long for the crowd surfing and stage diving to begin. On my photography bucket list was getting to shoot crowd surfers, so I was ecstatic to see multiple people in the crowd giving it at go. Even Cody Muraro, lead singer of Real Friends, surfed multiple times. He also made sure to take extra care of the audience members crowd surfing by making sure they made it safely onto the stage since there was no pit at this venue. 

Real Friends played a good amount of new songs off of their latest record, Blue Hour, with two of my personal favorites being “Cold Blooded” and “A Place I Don’t Think Exists.” I was slightly saddened that my top favorite song, “Radiant,” didn’t make the setlist. However, I quickly forgave the band as later on in the set, they played “Get By” which was the first Real Friends song I heard years ago and had yet to see them perform it live.

One of my favorite things about the show was getting to see the entire audience bonding as they belted the lyrics to every song. There was a specific moment that happened right next to me when a man asked another man if he was at the show alone. The second guy confirmed he was there alone, and the first brought him into his friend group mid-show. They even exchanged Instagram handles while watching the band. It’s always a wonderful thing getting to see community being created in realtime at concerts.

I was blessed to be able to witness Manor Gates, Broadside, and Real Friends put on such an electric show. I’m eagerly awaiting when I get to see each of these bands live again. Broadside and Real Friends are currently on tour with Silverstein, so if there’s a show coming to your area, I think it’s mandatory that you go. Check out the gallery below for photos from the show!