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The Commodore Ballroom was a sweaty, joyous explosion of punk energy on November 25, 2025, as Toronto’s PUP brought their “World’s Coolest Guys Canada Tour” to Vancouver. This was a bill steeped in vital Canadian noise, supported by the local indigenous hip-hop duo, Snotty Nose Rez Kids. The night was a fierce celebration of high-volume guitars, anthemic choruses, and unapologetic chaos, played out before a capacity crowd ready to scream away their anxieties.

The evening was ignited by Snotty Nose Rez Kids (SNRK), who delivered an electrifying set that immediately transformed the ballroom into a frenetic party. Their powerful blend of sharp, politically charged lyrics and driving trap beats set a high standard of energy. A highlight of their performance was the presence of member Q, who, despite having recently broken his leg, performed with incredible stage presence and intensity. His defiant energy, even while navigating the stage with an injury, was a testament to SNRK’s unwavering commitment and ensured their set was fully realized and highly memorable, confirming their status as necessary voices in the Vancouver music scene.

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When PUP finally took the stage, the energy was instantly deafening. They opened with an unexpected, raucous snippet of Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” before diving headfirst into their signature sound with “No Hope” and “Olive Garden.” The band played with barely contained aggression, tearing through tracks like “Dark Days” and “Robot Writes a Love Song.” The entire band, including singer Stefan Babcock, threw themselves physically into the performance, demanding and receiving a raucous response from the crowd.

PUP’s set is essentially one long, high-speed catharsis session. Tracks like “Totally Fine” and “Sleep in the Heat” featured massive, shouted singalongs, with Babcock screaming the existential dread and financial anxiety right back at the crowd. Even beloved classics like “Matilda” and “Morbid Stuff” felt new, powered by the collective emotional release of the room. The commitment to chaos was evident, demonstrating the band’s reputation for never mailing in a performance.

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The end of the main set was pure punk gold, a sequence designed to incite the rowdiest pit possible. They tore through “DVP,” “Hunger for Death,” and the self-referential “PUPTHEBAND Inc. Is Filing for Bankruptcy.” The audience, well-oiled and fully committed, responded by launching themselves into the air and into each other. The band briefly brought a fan, Daniel, on stage to play bass for “Reservoir,” a classic moment of PUP-style crowd bonding that adds to their legend.

The night climaxed with the return of the opener. For the encore, PUP welcomed Snotty Nose Rez Kids back to the stage for a spectacular collaboration on a cover of the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage.” The fusion of punk-rock intensity and hip-hop swagger was an inspired choice, creating a fitting, high-energy close to the show that celebrated the best of aggressive, uncompromising Canadian music. It was a night of fury, defiance, and unforgettable punk-rock communion at the Commodore.