Hot Water Music, the Gainesville-born punk band has been churning out great, emotionally driving rock for over 30 years now. Their most recent full-length, Vows, released to critical acclaim last year, included a number of guests, including Daniel Fang and Brendan Yates of Charm City’s own Turnstile.

On Thursday Hot Water Music rolled into the Baltimore Soundstage and brought with them the Massachusetts hardcore punk band Bane with them for an unforgettable night.

The night started off early with new hardcore band The S.E.T. (self evident truth), formed by former-Turnstile guitarist, Brady Ebert, and the New York band Spaced. Both bands brought their own unique brand of heavy, energetic sound as the dance floor quickly filled up.

By the time Bane took the stage, the floor was packed. As the opening chords thrummed, one-by-one fans stage dived as singer Aaron Bedard gave it his all, often sharing the mic with fans.

Bedard told the crowd about his own Baltimore connections having lived in the old Copy Cat building years ago. In fact, throughout the whole night there seemed like a connection between the artists and the crowd. This tour with Hot Water Music and Bane specifically features venues where there the barricades or barriers are removed where there is nothing keeping the crowd from the stage. And I think for both of these bands that connection has been the centerpiece of their live shows.

Even Hot Water Music’s singer, Chuck Ragan’s recent solo tour stop at the Ottobar (see our coverage here) several in the crowd came up to sing along, blurring that line between artist and audience.

Taking the stage, Hot Water Music immediately kicked things into high gear with fan-favorite “Remedy” from Caution, as the crowd sang all the words.

Ragan and co-singer/guitarist, Chris Cresswell took flanking positions with bassist Jason Black front and center while drummer George Rebelo’s staccato pounding kept things rolling from one heavy number to the next.

Hot Water Music’s sound is so emotionally resonant that it’s hard not to get carried away. Walking through the crowd I saw faces of fans singing their hearts out, as the band seemed to revel in the reaction.

Check out the official video of “After the Impossible feat. City and Colour” by Hot Water Music:

Some of the biggest reactions came from “State of Grace” and the oldest song of the night “Turnstile” from Hot Water Music’s debut, Fuel for the Hate Game. Personally, I couldn’t wait for “Drag My Body,” and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

Although their US tour has wrapped up, I really hope Hot Water Music returns to the Maryland area in the new year. The sheer joyous energy that emanates from that stage is infectious and carries with you well after the band has left the stage.

The setlist for Hot Water Music included:

Remedy
A Flight and a Crash
Menace
Killing Time
Turn the Dial
After The Impossible
Burn Forever
God Deciding
State of Grace
Turnstile
Instrumental
Free Radio Gainesville
Fences
Choked and Separated
Drag My Body
Wayfarer
Trusty Chords

Here are more photos of Hot Water Music rocking the Baltimore Soundstage on Thursday, November 13, 2025. All photos are copyright David LaMason:

And here are more photos of Bane at the Baltimore Soundstage:

Check out photos of Spaced at the Baltimore Soundstage:

And here are photos of SET kicking things off at the Baltimore Soundstage: