Canadian punk band PUP – with support from fellow bands goo and Illuminati Hotties – rocked up at Newcastle last Monday. PUP has been one of the most well-renowned acts among contemporary Punk Rock fans for their ability to weave together the abrasive and melodic ends of the genre. Enjoyers of classic bands such as Minor Threat and Buzzcocks would appreciate them.

The openers amped up the energy, but PUP took it further with the rawness of their performance: Steve Sladkowski’s blazing guitar, Zack Mykula’s crunchy drums, Nestor Chumak’s rolling bass and of course Stefan Babcock’s impassioned vocals dominated the stage. Babcock’s vocal interplay with Illuminati Hotties’ Sarah Tudzin was especially charming.

As any punk fan can attest, there’s a quality untranslatable to recordings when it comes to music in this realm – you just have to be amidst the chaos and clamour of the crowd. Speaking of crowd, the venue was full of younger rock fans, as eager to plunge themselves into the mosh pit as they were to belt out their favourite tunes. Sweaty moshing, overflowing vigour, endearingly uncoordinated singalongs… these are what make it worthwhile.