The iconic Franklin Music Hall (formerly the Electric Factory) is always host to energetic and exciting shows, and the Poison The Well’s April 25th stop of the The Opposite Of December tour was no different. A powerful lineup with both emerging bands and some of the most iconic bands of hardcore, as well as a little in between. The brutally beautiful Teenage Wrist, the post hardcore icons Glassjaw, the hardcore super group Better Lovers, and the legendary and still thriving Poison The Well. Teenage Wrist kicked off the night and immediately got things rolling as they played a fantastic set that by the end had the crowd completely in their hand. Playing an array of songs from past albums, most of which are from 2023’s Still Love. With a sound that beautifully blends grunge, hardcore, and aspects of shoegaze, combined with quick uptempo songs and near-ballads, it was a perfect way to start the show. Following up the fresh excitement was the modern-day supergroup Better Lovers. Forming in 2023, they are made up of three former members of Every Time I Die, a current member of Fit for an Autopsy, and former Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Greg Puciato, and are one of the hottest and fastest rising bands in the hardcore scene. After this night's show, it is no wonder why. They uniquely blend elements from all three of the groups they are made up of and create their own, powerfully beautiful blend of hardcore. Vocals that range from intense growls and screams to melodic and serenading vocals, with riffs and a rhythm section that can slice you in half, throw you across the room, or have you gently sway. All culminating in demands for circle pits and the most energetic close to a set. It was an exciting and memorable set, and the exact way to build up to the headliner to come. The energy kept on going as Glassjaw, the always influential and innovative post hardcore warriors. From start to finish, the crowd was on their feet and moving. Vocalist Daryl Palumbo unleashed his iconic voice and showed off the immense range it carries, while Justin Beck wailed and ripped through the audience with his riffs. It was a classic showcase, and the songs, mainly from their legendary 2002 Worship and Tribute album, proved they stand the test of time as well as the members of the band. It was an exciting and memorable set, and the exact way to build up to the headliner to come. That being the everlasting and always exciting Poison the Well. Finally permanently reunited, he metalcore titans led by the energetic vocalist Jeffrey Moreira, brought their classic brand of brutal and thrashing metalcore to Philly as the crowd surged and moved to every beat. They played mostly tracks from their iconic debut, The Opposite of December, the namesake of their tour, as well as an array of songs from across their career. It was a set that truly showed off the brutal power that the legends are known for, as well as showing it is still very much there and may just be getting better. It will be exciting to see how they evolve, especially with plans for an album on the way, as they continue into summer with their next set of shows being slated for September in the UK. The night of April 25, 2025, was one to remember as it was a display of what was and what is yet to come. Old gods are still proving and evolving their strength, while established groups dig deeper into the routes of the underground community. It was a show that leaves you happy, your ears are ringing, and your feet are sore because it was pure energy and excitement from start to finish, as four great bands made the most of each set. Thank you to Teenage Wrist, Glassjaw, Better Lovers, and Poison the Well as well as The Franklin Music Hall.
Poison the Well
Better Lovers
Glassjaw
Teenage Wrist
