Bogart’s was the place to be on April 11th in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Runarounds rolled into Bogart’s for a sweaty, high energy stop on their Minivan Tour, delivering exactly the kind of electrifying indie-rock show their growing fanbase has come to expect.
Before the headliners took the stage, The Takes set the tone with a tight and surprisingly dynamic opening set. Blending indie, folk, and rock influences, their performance built gradually from mellow, atmospheric moments into fuller, driving choruses. By the end of their set, the early crowd had fully locked in, swaying and nodding along, clear evidence that The Takes weren’t just filler, but a strong complement to the night’s lineup.
As the lights dimmed and The Runarounds took the stage, the energy inside Bogart’s shifted instantly. The historic venue known for its intimate, packed in feel proved to be the perfect setting for the band’s sound, loud, punchy, and built for crowd connection.
From the first chord, the band leaned into their strengths: catchy melodies, driving rhythms, and an undeniable sense of momentum. Their live sound felt bigger and grittier than their studio recordings, with crunchy guitars and anthemic hooks that invited constant singalongs. Tracks like “Ghosts” hit especially hard, with fans shouting lyrics back at the stage as if it were already a longtime classic.
What stood out most was their stage presence. The band played with a kind of controlled chaos, tight musicianship underneath, but a loose, infectious energy on top. Between songs, they kept things casual and genuine, reinforcing the sense that this is a group still climbing, still hungry, and fully aware of the crowd growing with them.
By the end of the night, it was clear, this wasn’t just another tour stop. It felt like a band in the middle of a breakout, backed by a crowd that knew they were catching something on the rise.
Words and photos by Serina Epperson