Moshing our way through a Trophy Eyes set in New York City was unforgettable

Having seen Trophy Eyes a few times before, I thought I had a baseline idea of what to expect. After all, Chemical Miracle live always had a unique impact. I knew that. The raw emotion that resonates through the lyrics in those moments can’t be replicated — even over a record player.

It’s been years since that album was released, which means the band has had time to grow musically. You can hear the subdued vocals and shifted guitar riffs in their sound. While I was prepared for a different live experience, I wasn’t expecting it to be so bold and obvious.

A new type of confidence radiated from each band member. The energy bubbled and oozed off the stage and towards their eager fans who had been waiting five years for Trophy Eyes to return to an NYC stage.

The band spurred a great mosh pit debate.

To put it simply: those who understood it, got it, and those who didn’t, didn’t.

The crowd was clearly divided. The tour was headlined by Against the Current, who are exceptionally talented in their own right. Combining these fan bases made sense on the surface, but early on in the tour, it became evident that they didn’t mesh well.

Against the Current‘s music is softer rock compared to Trophy Eyes’, attracting a different crowd who took to social media to criticize Trophy Eyes fans.

“The lead singer kept encouraging mosh pits and crowd surfing, which made the majority of us, who were there for Against the Current, feel very unsafe,” a fan commented on the band’s Instagram.

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This person doesn’t represent the entire Against the Current fan base, but they sparked an online controversy and conversation.

The reality is, if you’re not moshing at a Trophy Eyes set, then you’re missing out. Fans were quick to defend the band.

I got my nose broken in a trophy eyes pit before & I still say mosh/crowd surf on lmao

— erika 🫶♡ (@dontletitfade) April 25, 2023

In New York City, John Floreani encouraged the crowd to get on their feet and dance. Fans were lifted and tossed toward the front, safely secured by security, while John gave them a high-five with a smug look on his face.

After all, the band’s response to the disgruntled fan was a simple “f*ck you” comment reply.

Was the Trophy Eyes crowd really that rowdy?

So, why was Trophy Eyes so adamant about the mosh culture, even if it may have turned off some Against the Current fans?

While I can’t speak for them, it’s probably because the moshpit becomes a sanctuary for “the ones who feel alone.” (Couldn’t resist the quick lyric reference.) For those who haven’t experienced a pit or crowd surfing while screaming their favorite lyrics, it’s easy to think moshing is about an excuse for violence.

Instead, it’s about liberation. It’s about putting your trust in a community of strangers who truly understand you. When you’re in the pit, you’re able to cathartically shed all of your hurt into a space that will consume it.

Plus, it’s fun.

Trophy Eyes delivers a performance full of angst and emotional turmoil. Rough lyrics, grimy guitar, and heavy beats wrapped in the saddest words imaginable.

The criticism from Against the Current fans seemed to make Trophy Eyes fans go even harder in the pit. A cluster of fans positioned themselves strategically toward the middle of the crowd that night.

Even John got involved, putting his trust in a crowd that was only half full of his allies. He threw himself off the stage. John was suddenly in the crowd… above the crowd rather. There was a rush of confusion until it hit a wall of understanding. John crowd surfed above us. The Trophy Eyes fans knew what to expect (of course they did, they were dedicated) and immediately surged to protect him from the possibility of being dropped at the hands of unsuspecting Against the Current fans.

And that was such a perfect example of the trust I’ve been trying to articulate.

Their upcoming album may be called Suicide and Sunshine, but they aren’t a death metal band with too rowdy of a crowd.

Drama aside, their performance was addicting.

Anyway, back to that confidence. A band that was once amazing to see live grew into phenomenal. I’m sure they could tell you better where that came from, what got them there, but it felt so personal in a way.

It was like I grew unknowingly as this band did the same. It’s been 5 years and still, their show meets me where I’m at and urges me to keep growing.

Trophy Eyes fans grasped onto the band’s newfound confidence and immersed themselves in it fully. Their eagerness to find a community in a pit full of throwing half-hearted punches and full-sent pushes was a direct testament to the band’s music.

You see, Trophy Eyes is way more on the side of “punk” in pop punk. Of course, don’t go expecting a Sex Pistols performance. What you will find is a band with a purpose. They seem to have a clear vision ahead of them and have created a sound that is entirely unique.

It’s difficult to pigeonhole them into a specific genre because while they often tour with rising pop-punk bands, it’s not exactly where they belong. Their music incorporates elements of hardcore and post-emo lyrical flourishes. They are a band that unifies various rock subgenres that have been increasingly fragmented.

Trophy Eyes comes from Australia… some part of me knows that. However, I can’t help, but feel the way they seem to harmonize with New York City. They almost felt in my heart to nearly be a product of the 60s punk scene here. They feel in sync here. Maybe this is just my plea for them to never leave, but I also truly mean it.

The moment they return to town, I know I’ll be among those melancholic souls in the mosh pit, eagerly awaiting their performance.