Concert review: Buckcherry | 10.30.25, Pop’s (with photo gallery)

Photo of Buckcherry’s Josh Todd by Laura Jerele

Buckcherry brought us just what the back of their concert shirts promise: 100% live, no tracks, no triggers, no samples, no bullshit. They are simple, pure, unfiltered rock ’n’ roll chaos and that certainly brought Pop’s one helluva good time. Not a band to be told what to do, they blasted right into the show, staring with one of their hugest hits, “Lit Up,” to start the show. Such a bold and fun choice to hit us with a banger like that to start things off! Everything about a Buckcherry show feels genuine and real, and rock like this so desperately needed because it’s loud, gritty, and completely alive.

The band comprised of singer Josh Todd, guitarist Stevie D., bassist Kelly LeMieux, drummer Francis Ruiz, and guitarist Billy Rowe, ripped through their set with zero hesitation, complete with Todd jumping around with tons of energy as if the band were in their twenties. These guys are filled with nothing but attitude, energy, and adrenaline. And it never let up: their energy never dipped, the entire show was full of massive energy, complete with wall-to-wall riffs, raspy vocals, and that gritty confidence that only comes from years of doing this thing and loving every minute of it. We need rock n’ roll bands like this!

Between songs, Todd kept it light with a little banter, a few laughs, and that signature Buckcherry swagger (complete with removing layers of clothing as the night wore on) that pretty much made us forget how late it was or that you’ve got work in the morning. Speaking of songs, they had a fabulous cover of “Say Fuck It” (their own twist on the Icona Pop/Charli XCX hit “I Love It”) that seriously brought the crowd into non-stop dancing and jumping up and down! The crowd was loud and fed off every moment of Todd’s infectious energy, and Pop’s with its own gritty late night vibey atmosphere couldn’t have been a better fit. The only quiet moment of the night was during their mega-hit “Sorry.” Aww yeah! Rock ballad for the win! 

By the end, I can honestly say Buckcherry has a lot polish and perfection with how damn good of a band they are live. Huge guitars, louds amps, and an energetic frontman that brings about real connection is the kind of catharsis that only live rock can deliver. Buckcherry didn’t just play Pop’s; they pretty much turned it into their own wild little world for the night. I mean, just look at the song titles in the setlist and tell me this wasn’t a raucously good time. | Laura Jerele

Setlist:

Lit Up
Roar Like Thunder
So Hott
Somebody Fucked With Me
Keep on Fighting
Ridin’
Porno Star
Let It Burn
Set It Free
Say Fuck It
Come On
Gluttony
Sorry
Good Time
Tight Pants
Blackout
Crazy Bitch