BETTER LOVERS AT STONE PONY SUMMER STAGE IN ASBURY PARK

Coming in hot off of the release of their first EP, God Made Me An Animal (released July 7th, 2023 via Sharptone), Better Lovers hit the road for their first tour. Supporting Underoath, The Ghost Inside, and We Came As Romans, the band seemed to have big shoes to fill in for the opening spot. This isn’t their first rodeo, however, and Better Lovers came smashing onto the stage with a gusto that just knocks you off your feet. This band, while new, has some very familiar faces - Greg Puciato on vocals (Dillinger Escape Plan), guitarist Will Putney (Fit For An Autopsy/END), guitarist Jordan Buckley (Every Time I Die), drummer Clayton “Goose” Holyoak (Every Time I Die), and bassist Steve Micciche (Every Time I Die). These guys are seasoned musicians in the scene and it was very obvious when seeing them on stage. 

Better Lovers had the first set of the night, starting at 5:30 PM while the crowd was still filling in at the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park. This didn’t stop the crowd at all from feeling packed, however. Mosh pits still opened and fans still jammed out, giving it their all in the brutal 90 degree heat. From the minute the guys stepped foot on the stage, there was never a lull in movement. Jordan, Steve, and Will are always moving, and Goose is very animated as well, even from behind the drum kit. Opening up their set with “Become So Small”, they were immediately headbanging, jumping, and running around. Truthfully, I’m not sure how they didn’t pass out in the heat, but their dedication to giving their fans a killer set never waned. Their performance ignites a fire within you, begging you to move and go wild with them. You really just can’t help it.

With the EP only being four songs long, fans got to hear the whole thing throughout the set, which is what’s so special about catching a band on their first tour. They also included a cover of Soundgarden’s “Rusty Cage”, which was a nice choice to help fill out the set. Towards the beginning of the performance, I was surprised to see Greg Puciato hang back at the mic stand a little more than I was used to seeing him. However, that didn’t last very long, and after a couple songs he came further out to interact with fans as he’s known to do, hanging on the barricade to scream vocals over them and reaching out.

The band ended their set with the single from the EP “30 Under 13” and it’s such a killer track to hear live. It has some very impactful moments that make it the perfect closer to an already fantastic performance. Having seen Better Lovers at their first two shows in Buffalo earlier this month in a smaller venue, to now having seen them hit a much larger stage, I am excited to see what the future has in store for them. They know how to work any type of stage they’re given. If you’re heading out to this tour, be sure to get in early enough to catch Better Lovers’ set. Don’t miss out on catching them this early on!!