By Chyrisse Tabone, Rock At Night Tampa
Live Review: Dead Poet Society X Honey Revenge co-headlining with Hunny and Broadside – The Orpheum, Tampa, Florida – October 31, 2026
When the Dead Poet Society x Honey Revenge co-headlining tour rolled into the Tampa Orpheum on Halloween night, it brought an indie-rock feast designed to satisfy a wide array of musical palates. As dark clouds crept ominously over Nebraska Avenue, a costumed crowd lined up for a show relegated to the venue’s outdoor rear stage—though a viewing screen was set up inside for those unwilling to brave the elements.
Taking the stage at 7:15 p.m. just as the rain transitioned from a mist to a steady sprinkle, Broadside leaned hard into the holiday spirit. Dressed in black and white with cone hats, they channeled a distinct pierrot-clown vibe while delivering dance-heavy, groovin’ alt-rock that instantly resurrected the golden era of the Vans Warped Tour. Lead singer Oliver Baxxter brought relentless energy, pulling heavily from their latest studio album, Nowhere, At Last. Standouts like “I Think They Know” and “Dead Roses” kept the momentum high, while the track “Warning Signs” was introduced with Baxxter bluntly telling the crowd, “This is about fucking.” Despite the deteriorating weather, the audience was already jumping, pumping their arms into the damp air.
By 8:00 p.m., the rain was steady. With wet hair and melting Halloween makeup, the crowd held their ground as West Coast trio Hunny took over. Frontman Jason Yarger and the band embraced the night’s chaos, hitting the stage dressed as “sorority sisters” in colorful shift dresses and wigs. Catchy tracks like “Solo” and “Lula, I’m Not Mad” had the crowd dancing both out in the rain and inside the venue. Toward the end of the set, Yarger used his platform to speak his mind, telling the crowd, “It’s midterms. Vote Angie Nixon… Fuck I.C.E. and Free Palestine.” It was a bold moment that lifted my spirits, and I stood clapping with enthusiasm—while noticing a sea of blank stares around me. This is Florida, after all.
By 8:45 p.m., the asphalt had turned into a series of puddles, with punters milling in and out of the venue for merch, drinks, and brief reprieves from the downpour. Fortunately, Honey Revenge was ready to make everyone forget they were soaked. Dressed brilliantly as Minions, lead vocalist Devin Papadol and guitarist Donny Lloyd—alongside their touring musicians—delivered a blistering set that turned the wet lot into an absolute disco. Meshing influences of punk, alt-rock, and pop, their soaring vocals and riff-laden tracks sparked a massive dance party. It’s a trend I noticed covering gigs in London earlier this year: Gen Z and Millennials are fully embracing retro, hook-heavy sounds and are actually dancing at shows again. The crowd eagerly mouthed the lyrics, erupting in cheers as fan favorites like “Rerun,” “Are You Impressed?,” and “Airhead” were announced.
Closing out the night at 9:45 p.m., Dead Poet Society faced down blowing rain and a totally drenched, yet devoted, crowd. The Berklee-formed quartet—Jack Collins, Will Goodroad, Jack Underkofler, and Dylan Brenner—brought a massive presence. Underkofler stood out in a pink jumpsuit adorned with NASA patches, pairing perfectly with his shortly coiffed hair. Seeing DPS live for the first time was a revelation. Their sound is hard and incredibly heavy, bordering on industrial, yet deeply sophisticated and melodic. Crucially, they maintained the thread of the night: their massive, down-tuned riffs are undeniably danceable.
Currently supporting their latest album Monarch with heavy-hitting, head-banging tracks like “Cold,” “Roach,” “Die If You Don’t,” and “.intoodeep.”, the band proved exactly why they are scaling up to support Muse across UK and EU arenas later this month.
Yes, the weather was miserable, but this stellar four-band lineup made standing in a downpour entirely worthwhile. In a state that is too often swept by tired legacy classic rock and metal acts, having this caliber of edgy, fresh indie-rock roll through Tampa was the real treat.
PHOTO GALLERY
I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
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