One Step Closer, KOYO and Anxious Tear Through Houston’s White Oak Music Hall

Fresh off California’s premier hardcore festival, Sound and Fury, performance last weekend, The Trio Tour featuring One Step Closer, Koyo, and Anxious lived up to the hype as one of hardcore’s hottest summer tours, featuring heavy hitters Prize Horse.

Hardcore is at an all-time high with must-see performances from all over the world. Popular bands such as Turnstile, Knocked Loose, and Drain have earned their right to headline any summer festival or gig and have become household names who can consistently sell out venues. Each band on this bill is on the path to headline and become a household name in hardcore. One Step Closer, Koyo, and Anxious have been alternating as headliners, with One Step Closer closing out the night in Houston.

The night started off with the alternative rock band Prize Horse. Despite not being classified as a hardcore band, they kicked things off with one of the loudest sets of the night. Clashing drums, heavy guitar riffs, and pummeling bass filled the room. The crowd was wide awake during the entire set, and you could see people’s reactions throughout the night, on the band’s powerful sound.

Up next was the first headliner Anxious, the Connecticut-based band came out roaring, their energy radiating through the room. Anxious draws from many genres, including emo, hardcore, and pop punk. Grady Allen, the lead singer, encouraged the crowd to move up as close as possible. Once everyone was close, they kicked off their set with their biggest single from their 2022 record, “Little Green House” with the track “Call From You,” the stage diving began, and fans rushed to the stage to sing along with Grady. Seeing fans so engaged in the performance and partaking in moshing is always a good sign. The band was nonstop action, and despite having melodic moments, their energy dominated the room.

Koyo, the second headliner, took the stage, delivering the high-energy performance they are known for. Fans chanted the songs all night, and the connection between the audience and the lead singer was palpable. The intimate room allowed fans to be as close as possible to the band, and crowd surfing and moshing filled the space. Koyo’s hardcore roots resonated throughout the room, and they paid homage to the genre’s unifying spirit during an intermission. The set was thrilling, with the band jumping around on stage and the crowd bouncing up and down in unison. They expressed their gratitude for performing in Houston and ended their set with a bang, leading into the final headliner, One Step Closer.

Hailing from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, One Step Closer is fresh off their sophomore album, “All You Embrace”, released via Run For Cover Records. The band kicked off the night with the album’s opening track, “Color You.” Ryan screamed, “Fall into the night, when I say the words they’ve been hard to find.” The crowd erupted into stage diving and mosh pits.One Step Closer’s stage performance was full of energy, with non-stop jumping and dancing. It’s clear they love what they do each night. They performed many tracks from their sophomore release and a couple from their debut album.

The band is pushing the boundaries of hardcore, with their sound continually evolving. Songs like “Blur My Memory” feature melodic guitars that break down into hardcore riffs towards the end.The theme of blue filled the room, reflecting “All You Embrace”. Ryan mentioned that the bands have been alternating as headliners, and tonight was their night. They ended their set with their two big singles, “Leap Years” and “Giants Despair.” Fans chanted the lyrics and engaged with the band throughout the night.All the bands on this bill have unique sounds, ranging from emo to pop punk, but they all return to their hardcore roots. Each band could have easily headlined their own show, and I expect them to become household names in the coming years.