Hot Mulligan Steps Into the Ring at Riverworks (April 9th, 2024)

After supporting Fall Out Boy in their “So Much For (2Our) Dust” Tour, Hot Mulligan kicked off their “Choose Your Fighter” Tour at Buffalo Riverworks with support from Free Throw, Just Friends, and Charmer. This was Hot Mulligan’s first time in Buffalo since 2021 when they supported New Found Glory’s “Pop Punk’s Still Not Dead” Tour. This time Hot Mulligan was backed with a light show, along with a more passionate and diverse fan base than ever. 

This was my first time at Riverworks. The low stage was nice as it brought you into the action no matter where you were standing. I also noticed how varied the crowd was, with people of all ages enjoying the same music together. 

The Michigan-based band Charmer was first to take the stage. They set the tone early with a nostalgic, midwestern sound, accompanied by relatable and emotional lyrics. The passion, patience, and clarity in the vocals from lead singer Dave Daignault was very refreshing, especially when backed by the band’s melodies. Heading into the show, I wasn’t very familiar with Charmer but it’s safe to say that they gained a number of new fans, including myself, when the night concluded.  

Just Friends are a funk rock band from California. During Hot Mulligan’s set, lead singer Nathan “Tades” Sanville perfectly described Just Friends when he referred to their sound as a “big party”. The set was filled with vibrant sounds and vocals from singers Sam Kless and Brianda Goyos León. Sam Kless may ring a bell to some as he is the bassist for the Midwest emo band Mom Jeans who were in town headlining a tour of their own last month. 

Free Throw has been a staple in my rotation since High School, it was an honor seeing them do their thing in person. I found myself captivated by the band’s raw energy, passion, and stage presence. I was stoked to see some of my favorite songs played such as “Randy, I am the Liquor”, “Pallet Town”, “The Corner’s Dilemma” and of course, “2 Beers In.” The Tennessee-based band and their catchy riffs had the crowd ready to take on the rest of the night.  

Hot Mulligan entered the ring and came out swinging to kick off their “Choose Your Fighter” Tour. When the band was introduced with a light show and smoke, I knew that they wouldn’t disappoint. These guys were electric! The passion in the voice of lead singer Nathan Sanville was amazing to hear. He was also very good at filling time in between songs by cracking jokes and engaging with the audience. Between the crowd surfing and moshing, the fans absolutely loved what Hot Mulligan had to offer. My favorite songs from the set include “*Equip Sunglasses*”, “BCKYRD” and their new single “Stickers of Brian”.  

Each band absolutely killed it and expressed so much love for Buffalo! If you missed this show and want to catch Hot Mulligan and their openers elsewhere, they will be on the road till the end of April.