Some bands age like fine wine. Others, like MXPX, seem to have found the fountain of youth somewhere between Bremerton and Montreal. The Washington trio rolled into MTELUS on October 25th with The Ataris in tow, delivering a Friday night reminder that pop-punk’s golden era never really ended for those who lived it.
The Ataris kicked things off with “In This Diary,” and while Kris Roe’s band kept things relatively stationary on stage, the crowd more than compensated. By the time “The Boys of Summer” arrived, the entire venue had transformed into a singalong session that would make Don Henley either proud or mildly concerned about royalties.
When MXPX hit the stage, frontman Mike Herrera looked suspiciously identical to his 1999 self. Whether it’s good genes or the preservative qualities of playing three-chord progressions for three decades remains unclear. “Not Today” got the floor moving immediately, and by the time they tore through “Party” and “My House,” the demographic spread became wonderfully apparent. Twenty-somethings moshed alongside forty-somethings who’d clearly swapped their skateboards for minivans but retained their enthusiasm for a well-executed circle pit.
Herrera’s between-song banter maintained the informal energy, and the band’s performance was sharp enough to prove they haven’t been coasting on nostalgia alone. New material like “One One Zero” held its own against classics “Responsibility” and “Punk Rawk Show,” though the latter pair predictably triggered the evening’s most fervent response.
The venue’s intimacy worked in everyone’s favour, creating the kind of sweaty, communal atmosphere that festival slots can’t quite replicate. MXPX may have formed in 1996, but Saturday night proved the formula still works remarkably well in 2025.
Photos – Luiz Araujo
Share this :
