An Evening with The Runarounds in Raleigh

On Friday night in Raleigh, NC, The Runarounds played The Ritz, but the night really started hours before the first note.

Fans were lined up well before doors opened, and at one point the line wrapped all the way around the building. It felt less like people casually showing up to a show and more like an event they had been waiting on.

This tour comes at a huge moment for the band. Their Prime Video series The Runarounds, created by Jonas Pate of Outer Banks, has introduced them to an entirely new audience. The concept behind the band is what makes it so special. Around 2020, Jonas Pate put out a nationwide casting call looking for real young musicians, not actors. Thousands submitted. Five were chosen. None of them had real acting experience before this project. They were musicians first, and they were taught how to act for the series. What started as a show concept turned into a real touring band with real chemistry.

The lineup is as good as it gets:

William Lipton plays Charlie Cooper in the show and performs guitar and vocals.

Axel Ellis, who plays Neil Crosby, is on guitar and vocals and is originally from Chicago.

Jeremy Yun plays Topher Park and performs guitar and vocals.

Jesse Golliher plays Wyatt Wysong and holds down bass and vocals.

Zendé Murdock plays Bez Willis and commands the drums.

Five musicians from different backgrounds came together and built something that feels electric.

Before The Runarounds came out, Aestrea opened the night with a polished, atmospheric set. Their indie pop sound was smooth but energetic, and they did exactly what a strong opener should do. They pulled people in early and kept them there.

When The Runarounds finally stepped out, the reaction was loud and immediate. The applause was sustained. From the first song, the crowd was engaged, singing along to every word. There was no slow build. It was there from the start.

One of the most noticeable things about the night was how diverse the audience was. For a band often associated with youthful, feel-good indie rock, the crowd spanned generations. Teens were pressed against the barricade. College students filled the middle of the floor. Parents stood near the back. I was near two older couples whose daughters were in the front row. They admitted they were not very familiar with the band when they arrived, but by the third song, they were dancing and fully invested.

Before the show, I asked a few fans why they love this band so much:

Sammy told me, “I LOVE their stage presence and their excitement and energy on stage.”

Anthony explained, “They were filming in Wilmington, and we are from Wilmington, so we relate to a lot of things we saw in the TV show. The music is just great, and our friends are in the band—so very relatable people and very good people.”

Kayley said, “It is so cool to watch the TV show and connect with the characters and then to see them in person; live is crazy.”

That connection between the show and the live performance clearly means something to fans, but even without that context, the music stands on its own.

“Senior Year” and “Minivan” had the entire venue singing. The choruses felt big, the kind that make strangers look at each other and smile mid-lyric. “Downtown” was the high point of the night. The energy during that song was unmatched. The floor felt like it was moving. People were jumping in sync. For a few minutes, the whole room felt unified.

There was nothing overly complicated about the production. No excessive theatrics. Just strong songs, tight playing, and a band that looked genuinely happy to be there. Venue staff were nodding along. Photographers were locked in. No one looked bored.

At one point, I caught myself just watching the crowd instead of the stage. It is rare to see a room that present. Phones were out, sure, but not constantly. People were actually experiencing it.

With additional summer tour dates already lined up and new music continuing to roll out, it feels like The Runarounds are building something steady and sustainable.

And if Friday night in Raleigh proved anything, it is that this is only the beginning.