It’s a Tuesday night in Buffalo, and a line stretches down the block leading to the iconic Town Ballroom. Amid the crowds for a Broadway play down the street, a diverse and eager group heads into the sold-out venue. A wide variety is represented. You see hardcore band shirts, punk band patches, pride flags, nice dresses, clown makeup, goths, a sweater that says “Cunt”, parents with and without kids, the emo night crowd, the ever-excitable youth, and everything in between. All in line to see Die Spitz, the Austin-based band that has risen meteoric over the past few years. From obscurity to big festivals, critical praise, and opening for Olivia Rodrigo next year. With every show on this tour sold out, Die Spitz is proving unstoppable. The question is, who exactly are they?
The almighty algorithm sent me here. Late night, letting the YouTube queue run wild, I stumbled across Die Spitz and their music video for “Punishers.” I was instantly intrigued. Their sound felt both old and new. Grunge-inspired riffs met melodic, catchy vocals. Hardcore sensibilities and new-age visuals. Naturally, I watched another music video. And then another. And another. Each song was as unique as the last, showcasing a range of influences in the hardcore punk umbrella. This band, which seemingly came out of nowhere, has become a top contender in the scene in record time. I had to learn more. I had to see what they were all about.
It’s still early in the night, but the crowd is already filling the ballroom. A booming playlist of 2000s/ 2010’s pop anthems and club classics sets the scene as a welcome contrast. As I look around the room, the mood I pick up on most is “fun.” This crowd is ready to have fun. Be loose and let live. They’re dancing and singing along to the music, spilling into the pit area beneath the balconies that wrap around the stage. It’s hard not to catch that energy and feel the excitement too.
Faetooth is the tour opener. I recognize the name from TikTok, where I came across some of their music. The algorithm strikes again. But from the first few notes, they set the tone perfectly. A three-piece band performing sludgy, doom-inspired riffs with an ethereal vocal style. It’s very reminiscent of Chelsea Wolfe. The guitar riffs drone on as the crowd sways along. Something almost trance-like happens here. But by the fourth song, the energy picks up. Push pits form, and the airy melodies give way to strong screaming vocals that echo through the monitors. This vibe stands out in the best way possible as the crowd seems ready to move a bit and turn the energy up. They call for a pit for the “girls, gays and theys,” and they do oblige. Some songs do run together, at least to ears unfamiliar with the particulars. But I recognize this may be a staple of the genre. Faetooth does enough to stand out, with their final song being their heaviest. Pounding guitars over some well-executed vocal harmonies. This is the best they’ve sounded and should do this way more. I notice the crowd is fully vibing now. More pits and less sway. I felt they were the absolute perfect opener for this tour.
Die Spitz takes the stage under house lights, with a backdrop featuring a vintage-style crescent moon and stars. Bassist Katie Halter does her iconic handstand, prompting audience cheers. The band then hammers right into their set with favorites “Red40” and “I Hate When Girls Die.” I can feel the chaotic energy even from the photo pit. Warm light bathes the stage as the lamps flash to the beat. Halter does the most movement at first, with high kicks and jumps, though the rest eventually join in. Guitarist Ava Schrobilgen and drummer Chloe de St. Aubin switch instruments for a few songs. This impressive, multi-instrumentalist approach is part of what makes them so notable. The crowd is loud and wild now. More pits, and even a handful of crowd surfers rise above the moving bodies. The band is tight overall and feels in sync. Both in their music and their energy. Smiles appear between lyrics. One song does start and has to be restarted, but they play it off well. Seeing a band of this scale still make these missteps feels deeply human. It makes them even easier to connect with and feel down-to-earth. Still, they own the stage like full-fledged rockstars, with vocalist Eleanor Livingston headbanging, holding up her guitar, and heading to the barricade at the end of the set. When they return for the encore, the band takes time to celebrate a member of their touring crew's birthday. Complete with cake and balloons, they close their set with “Throw Yourself To The Sword,” still wearing party hats.
Back to that word: “fun.” This show was fun. This set felt like witnessing something truly special as it rose. The crowd trickles out, singing in unison to Prince’s “Purple Rain” as it plays over the speakers. That also seemed fun. Die Spitz doesn’t strike me as a band that takes itself too seriously, and I think that’s part of why it's found success. They're approachable and human, yet still deliver songs that draw on some of the genre's best qualities. It’s all about having fun. That’s what music is supposed to be, isn’t it?
I had fun and hope I get the chance to see them again. Next time, I’m sure it’ll be a much larger stage.
