The inaugural Dance with Me Festival erupted at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium on Sunday, July 20, delivering a blistering night of punk rock anchored by legendary headliners T.S.O.L. and Youth Brigade. The energy inside the venue was electric, the lineup stacked with punk veterans and fresh chaos-bringers alike. With pounding drums, political fury, and stage dives at every turn, the festival served as a powerful reminder of punk’s place as a voice of rebellion in turbulent times.

Downstairs in the Garden Room, the action was just as raw. Decry, Union 13, Spaghetti Cumbia, River Rats, and The Gimps each brought their own flavor of unrest to the intimate space. Thanks to a staggered schedule, fans could move between rooms, catching every act without missing a beat. It created a nonstop rhythm of movement and noise, with punks bouncing between pits in a haze of sweat and sound.

The venue itself became part of the experience. The RMA has never been known for its air conditioning, and last night proved no different. Four industrial-sized fans did their best to keep air circulating across the General Admission floor, but it was hot. Unrelentingly hot. And somehow, that only added to the atmosphere. The heat, the noise, and the collective intensity made the entire building feel like it might burst.

Informal Society opened the main stage with a set packed full of melody, grit, and purpose. Known for blending politically aware lyrics with a classic Southern California punk sound, they launched the night with focus and fire. Their presence set the tone, offering up a message that was both urgent and direct.

Next came Knuckleheadz, who stormed the stage with rough-edged energy and no intention of slowing down. Drawing from their deep roots in street punk, they delivered a relentless set built on shout-along hooks and pounding rhythm. Telling tales about taking over McDonalds so they could perform their song "Fuck McDonaldz" left the crowd laughing and singing along. Their sound was raw, their delivery aggressive, and the pit responded with a surge of motion and noise.

The Voids followed with a performance steeped in fury and protest. Longtime fixtures in the underground, the band hit the stage with snarling purpose. Their setlist read like a manifesto, with songs like “LAPD” landing especially hard in a crowd charged with anti-authoritarian energy. Their presence brought focus to the night’s theme of rebellion and resistance.

Then came Narcoleptic Youth, and everything turned delightfully unhinged. The band opened with lead singer Jay in a full gorilla costume, tossing 20 giant inflatable bananas into the crowd. The room erupted into chaos as the fruit bounced, flew, and was ultimately torn apart by a thrilled audience. The band launched into their high-octane set with razor-sharp precision and a wicked sense of humor. Songs like “Mask Hysteria” showcased their signature blend of speed, sarcasm, and political edge. It was theatrical, explosive, and exactly what the night called for.

By the time Youth Brigade hit the stage, the room had reached a boiling point. Formed in 1980 and founders of BYO Records, the band brought both legacy and urgency. Their set was tight, their energy relentless. In the middle of the performance, frontman Shawn Stern paused to condemn the “fascist-loving government” he sees rising in America, calling on the audience to stay alert, stay active, and stay angry. Guitarist Jonny Wickersham shared a sobering story of an ICE raid at a backyard punk show the night before, bringing the room to a hush before launching back into the storm. It was a powerful, resonant moment.

Headlining the night was T.S.O.L., and they did not disappoint. With a career that spans over 45 years, the band has evolved through deathrock, hardcore, and back again, all while keeping their core defiant spirit intact. Frontman Jack Grisham delivered every word with venom and conviction, prowling the stage like a man possessed. From “Code Blue” to “Abolish Government/Silent Majority,” the set hit with precision and purpose. It was a master class in punk performance, a raw and fearless finale that brought the night to a thunderous close.

Dance with Me was more than a concert. It was a celebration of punk as protest, as community, and as survival. Riverside showed up, stood together, and shouted back.