Crowd Surfing & Catharsis: PUP and Jeff Rosenstock Tear Up Portland

In a city gripped by political unrest and so-called “warzone” surrounding the protests around federal immigration enforcement, the Crystal Ballroom became a sanctuary of sonic rebellion on October 6th. Words and photos by Jenny Shackleton.

Toronto punk powerhouse PUP and genre-defying opener Jeff Rosenstock brought their Cataclysmic Rapture of Friendshipness Tour to Portland, offering fans a much-needed escape from the chaos outside. From the moment PUP launched into “Free at Last,” the crowd erupted — and so did the bodies, with crowd surfing breaking out during the very first song and continuing relentlessly throughout the night.

Jeff Rosenstock opened the evening with a solo set that was equal parts chaotic and heartfelt, blending tracks like “Nausea” and “Festival Song” with his signature blend of punk, ska, and emotional vulnerability. His energy was infectious, and the crowd responded with nonstop movement and singalongs. Then came PUP, whose set drew heavily from their latest album Who Will Look After The Dogs? — a raw, no-frills record produced by John Congleton that captures the band’s decade of touring and their sharpened livewire chemistry. Songs like “Totally Fine,” “Concrete,” and “Bloody Mary, Kate and Ashley” hit with visceral intensity, while older favorites like “DVP” and “If This Tour Doesn’t Kill You, I Will” reminded fans why PUP remains one of punk’s most beloved live acts.

The Crystal Ballroom’s iconic “floating” dance floor bounced under the weight of hundreds of fans, many of whom were clearly using the show as a release valve from Portland’s tense political climate. With federal troops recently threatening to be deployed to the city and peaceful protests escalating outside ICE facilities, the concert felt like a defiant celebration of community and resistance. The venue’s all-ages policy meant that punks of every generation were present, from teens to longtime fans, all united in the catharsis of live music.

The night culminated in a euphoric encore where PUP and Rosenstock joined forces on stage, performing as one band. They traded vocals and instruments on collaborative tracks like “Get Dumber,” and even threw in covers of “Hey Allison!” and “We Begged 2 Explode” from Rosenstock’s catalog, plus a surprise rendition of Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know” that had the entire room screaming along. It was a fitting end to a night that celebrated friendship, punk ethos, and the healing power of music.