The Road to Seven Hills Festival

Written By Hunter Borkowski

For 25 years, Four Year Strong has been a cornerstone of the pop-punk and easycore scene. To celebrate this milestone, the Boston natives are hosting a special one-day festival that honors not only their legacy, but also the community that has supported them throughout the years.

As the centerpiece of the celebration, Four Year Strong will perform their landmark 2007 album, Rise or Die Trying, in its entirety. Joining them is a carefully curated lineup of established and emerging artists whose shared influences and high-energy performances promise an unforgettable day of music.

The festival will take place on Saturday, July 11, at the Palladium Outdoors in Worcester, Massachusetts. Doors open at 2:00 p.m., with performances beginning at 3:00 p.m. Fans can expect a full day of nonstop music, community, and celebration in honor of one of the genre's most influential bands.

 

☆ Four Year Strong

Few bands have left as lasting a mark on modern pop-punk as Worcester, Massachusetts' Four Year Strong. Formed in 2001 by vocalist/guitarists Dan O'Connor and Alan Day alongside drummer Jake Massucco, who all attended Doherty Memorial High School together, the band has spent the last quarter century redefining what pop-punk could sound like. Bassist Joe Weiss, who joined in 2024, rounds out the current lineup as the band enters its next chapter.

Drawing influence from pop-punk, melodic hardcore, emo, and hardcore, Four Year Strong became one of the defining architects of easycore—a genre that fuses the melodic hooks of pop-punk with the crushing breakdowns and aggression of hardcore. Their name itself pays homage to emo pioneers The Get Up Kids, borrowing from the lyric "Five Years Strong" and replacing "Five" with "Four."

Since the release of their debut album, It's Our Time (2005), Four Year Strong has released eight full-length records, each building upon their signature combination of massive choruses, technical musicianship, and relentless energy. Landmark releases such as Rise or Die Trying and Enemy of the World helped establish the blueprint for countless bands that followed, while 2024's analysis paralysis proved the quartet continues to evolve without sacrificing the sound that made them genre staples.

Whether headlining tours across the globe or delivering explosive festival performances, Four Year Strong has earned a reputation as one of the most consistently entertaining live acts in heavy music. Twenty-five years after their formation, they remain as influential as ever, continuing to bridge the gap between pop-punk accessibility and hardcore intensity.

Essential Listening

 

☆ Silverstein

For more than two decades, Silverstein has stood as one of post-hardcore's most enduring and influential bands. Formed in Burlington, Ontario in 2000, the five-piece—comprised of vocalist Shane Told, guitarists Josh Bradford and Paul Marc Rousseau, bassist Billy Hamilton, and drummer Paul Koehler—has built an international following through emotionally charged songwriting, technical musicianship, and unforgettable live performances.

Named after beloved children's author Shel Silverstein, the band quickly carved out its own identity by balancing soaring melodies with crushing riffs and cathartic screams. At the center of that sound is Shane Told, whose effortless transitions between clean singing and harsh vocals have made Silverstein one of the most approachable gateways into heavier music.

From their breakthrough debut, When Broken Is Easily Fixed (2003), to their acclaimed 2005 sophomore effort Discovering the Waterfront, Silverstein helped define the sound of an entire generation of emo and post-hardcore. Across eleven studio albums, the band has continued to evolve, incorporating melodic hardcore, alternative rock, and metal influences while remaining unmistakably themselves. Their latest release, Pink Moon (2025), demonstrates a band that is still pushing creative boundaries more than twenty-five years into its career.

Following the addition of guitarist Paul Marc Rousseau in 2012, the band's lineup has remained remarkably stable—a rarity in the genre—and that chemistry is evident both in the studio and on stage. Whether performing fan favorites or newer material, Silverstein continues to deliver emotionally resonant performances that have cemented their legacy as one of post-hardcore's defining acts.

Essential Listening

 

☆ Haywire (617)

In just a few short years, Haywire (617) has emerged as one of the most exciting new voices in modern hardcore. Formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 2023, what began as a solo project by vocalist Austin Sparkman—better known throughout the scene as "Austin from Boston"—quickly evolved into a full-fledged band featuring several respected veterans of Boston hardcore. The addition of "617", a nod to Boston's iconic area code, serves as both a badge of hometown pride and a declaration of the band's unwavering commitment to the city's legendary hardcore legacy.

Signed to Friends Family Forever Records, Haywire channels the grit and aggression that have long defined Boston hardcore while injecting the genre with a fresh sense of urgency. Their music pairs crushing riffs, pit-ready grooves, and unapologetic gang vocals with an unmistakable sense of community—qualities that have made them one of hardcore's fastest-rising acts. Frequent collaborations with prominent guest vocalists further reinforce the band's deep ties to the scene that helped shape them.

Since releasing their debut, CONDITIONED FOR DEMOLITION (2024), Haywire has continued its rapid ascent with a string of acclaimed releases, culminating in 2026's New England Forever. Their slogan, B.H.C.A.D.E.D. — Boston Hardcore All Day Every Day, is more than a catchphrase; it's a mission statement that reflects the band's dedication to preserving and celebrating one of hardcore's most influential regional scenes.

If their momentum is any indication, Haywire isn't simply carrying the torch for Boston hardcore—they're helping define its next generation.

Essential Listening

 

☆ Knuckle Puck

Since forming in Chicago, Illinois in 2010, Knuckle Puck has become one of the defining bands of modern pop-punk's resurgence. Comprised of vocalist Joe Taylor, guitarists Kevin Maida and Nick Casasanto, bassist Ryan Rumchaks, and drummer John Siorek, the five-piece built its reputation on emotionally resonant songwriting, explosive live performances, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.

The band's origins are as humble as they are memorable. Originally formed as a cover band, Knuckle Puck took its name from the phrase "Knuckle Puck Crew," printed on a Stick to Your Guns T-shirt—a reference to the legendary hockey shot made famous by D2: The Mighty Ducks. While the name stuck, the band's ambitions quickly expanded beyond their beginnings.

Blending the infectious hooks of pop-punk with the emotional weight of emo and the urgency of melodic hardcore, Knuckle Puck emerged as one of the standout acts of the 2010s alongside contemporaries like The Story So Far, Real Friends, and State Champs. Their debut album, Copacetic (2015), instantly established them as one of the genre's brightest new voices, while subsequent releases—including 2023's Losing What We Love—have showcased a band continually refining its sound without losing the passion that first resonated with fans.

Perhaps what sets Knuckle Puck apart most is their lyrical perspective. Rather than dwelling solely on heartbreak and nostalgia, the band's songs often explore themes of accountability, resilience, and personal growth, offering an introspective approach that has connected deeply with listeners navigating their own lives.

More than a decade into their career, Knuckle Puck continues to prove why they remain one of modern pop-punk's most respected and consistently compelling acts.

Essential Listening

 

☆ Origami Angel

Few bands have done more to redefine modern emo than Origami Angel. Since forming in Washington, D.C. in 2016, the duo of Ryland Heagy (vocals, guitar) and Pat Doherty (drums) has become one of the scene's most celebrated success stories, proving that two musicians are all it takes to create a massive sound.

Blending emo, pop-punk, math rock, indie rock, and easycore into something entirely their own, Origami Angel has built a reputation for technical musicianship without sacrificing accessibility. Heagy's intricate guitar work and instantly memorable melodies are matched by Doherty's explosive drumming, resulting in songs that are as emotionally resonant as they are relentlessly energetic. Rather than dwelling in heartbreak alone, the band's lyrics often embrace optimism, self-discovery, and perseverance, giving their music an uplifting spirit that has become increasingly rare within the genre.

Released through Counter Intuitive Records, the band's debut full-length, Somewhere City (2019), quickly earned cult-classic status and introduced listeners to their ambitious songwriting and unmistakable chemistry. They have continued to evolve with every release, culminating in 2024's Feeling Not Found, an album that expands their sonic palette while maintaining the infectious hooks and boundless enthusiasm that have defined them from the start.

With an uncompromising DIY ethic, tireless touring schedule, and some of the most exhilarating live performances in today's emo revival, Origami Angel has firmly established itself as one of the genre's most innovative and exciting modern acts.

Essential Listening

 

‍

☆ A Loss For Words

Before the current wave of pop-punk revival took hold, A Loss for Words had already cemented themselves as one of New England's defining melodic punk bands. Originally forming in Abington, Massachusetts under the name Last Ride, the group reinvented itself in the early 2000s and quickly became a driving force in the era that helped shape modern pop-punk and easycore.

Fronted by Matty Arsenault alongside bassist Mike Adams, guitarist Marc Danger, and drummer Christian Mullen, A Loss for Words built their reputation the old-fashioned way: relentless touring, unforgettable live shows, and songs that balanced breakneck energy with heartfelt sincerity. Their blend of melodic hardcore urgency, infectious pop-punk hooks, and optimistic lyricism earned them spots alongside many of the genre's biggest names and made them a familiar presence throughout the Vans Warped Tour era.

Across five studio albums—including their debut These Past Five Years (2005) and final full-length Crises (2016)—the band consistently delivered anthems rooted in resilience, friendship, and personal growth. At a time when many of their peers leaned heavily into themes of heartbreak and cynicism, A Loss for Words stood apart by embracing positivity without sacrificing emotional honesty.

Though the band has spent much of the past decade away from the spotlight, their influence continues to echo throughout today's pop-punk landscape. For many fans, A Loss for Words remains one of the defining voices of an era that helped shape the genre into what it is today.

Essential Listening

 

☆ Worry Club

In just a few years, Worry Club has grown from a bedroom recording project into one of the most compelling new voices in the Midwest alternative scene. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 2020 by vocalist, songwriter, and producer Chase Walsh alongside creative director Zack Zagula, the project has become synonymous with emotionally honest songwriting, DIY ambition, and an unmistakable sense of personality.

What began in Walsh's college dorm has since evolved into a full-fledged live act, with bassist Gabriel Clements, guitarist Dominic Gould, drummer Kris Herman, and a rotating cast of touring musicians helping bring the band's introspective songs to life on stage. While Walsh remains the sole songwriter and producer, Zagula has played an equally important role in shaping Worry Club's visual identity, overseeing everything from artwork and photography to the band's creative direction.

Blending indie punk, bedroom pop, and Midwest emo, Worry Club occupies a space where vulnerability and humor coexist. Their songs explore anxiety, self-doubt, relationships, and growing pains with refreshing sincerity, pairing deeply personal lyricism with bright guitars, infectious melodies, and an understated charm that has resonated with a rapidly expanding audience.

Their debut full-length, I'm Freaking Out (2026), serves as a fitting introduction to the band's distinctive sound—equal parts cathartic, catchy, and emotionally disarming. As one of the most exciting young acts to emerge from Chicago's thriving indie scene, Worry Club continues to prove that authenticity remains one of alternative music's greatest strengths.

Essential Listening

 

☆ One Step Closer

Over the last decade, One Step Closer has become one of the defining names in modern melodic hardcore. Formed in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 2016, the band—featuring vocalist Ryan Savitski, guitarists Ross Thompson and Colman O'Brien, multi-instrumentalist Tommy Norton, and touring drummer Alex Wizard—has carved out a sound that honors hardcore's roots while embracing the melodic sensibilities of emo, alternative rock, and shoegaze.

Deeply influenced by Pennsylvania hardcore pioneers Turning Point, One Step Closer first emerged during the youth crew revival of the 2010s, a movement inspired by the optimistic spirit and community-focused ethos of late-'80s straight edge hardcore. While their earliest material leaned heavily into that tradition, the band has steadily expanded its sound without abandoning the urgency that first put them on the map.

Released through Run For Cover Records, their debut full-length, This Place You Know (2021), established One Step Closer as one of hardcore's brightest new voices. Its follow-up, All You Embrace (2024), pushed the band's songwriting even further, weaving shimmering guitar textures, soaring melodies, and emotionally vulnerable lyricism into their signature hardcore foundation. The result is a record that feels equally at home alongside classic hardcore releases and modern alternative rock.

Despite a common misconception, the band's name has no connection to the iconic Linkin Park song. Instead, One Step Closer has forged an identity entirely their own—one rooted in authenticity, emotional honesty, and an unwavering commitment to evolving beyond genre expectations. Today, they stand as one of the most exciting and forward-thinking bands in contemporary hardcore.

Essential Listening

 

☆ SPACED

Since bursting onto the Buffalo hardcore scene in 2021, SPACED has rapidly established itself as one of the genre's most exciting new voices. Fronted by the charismatic Lexi Reyngoudt alongside guitarists Joe Morganti and Donny Arthur, bassist John Vaughan, and drummer Dan McCormick, the five-piece has built a reputation for delivering explosive performances that blur the lines between hardcore, punk, thrash, and alternative rock.

While firmly rooted in hardcore, SPACED refuses to be confined by convention. Their music pairs crushing riffs and relentless tempos with infectious hooks, groove-driven songwriting, and an undeniable sense of fun—a combination that has earned them a devoted following well beyond the traditional hardcore audience. Reyngoudt's commanding stage presence only amplifies the band's energetic live shows, making every performance feel equal parts chaos and celebration.

Following the release of their debut album, Spaced Jams (2022), the band continued its rapid ascent with This Is All We Ever Get (2024), a record that further showcased their knack for balancing aggression with memorable songwriting. Rather than relying solely on brute force, SPACED injects personality into every track, embracing a playful spirit that has helped distinguish them from many of their contemporaries.

With appearances alongside some of hardcore's biggest names and an ever-growing reputation as a must-see live act, SPACED has quickly become one of the brightest young bands carrying the genre into its next generation.

Essential Listening

 

☆ Hard Target

Representing Worcester's thriving hardcore scene, Hard Target has become one of New England's most uncompromising heavy bands. Formed in 2019, the five-piece—comprised of vocalist Nick Burns, guitarists Justin Edge and Alex O'Brien, bassist Jeremy Edge, and drummer Micah Beshai—draws heavily from the region's storied hardcore tradition while incorporating the crushing intensity of metalcore and thrash.

Hard Target's sound is unapologetically aggressive. Built around blistering riffs, punishing breakdowns, and breakneck tempos, the band embodies the raw, no-frills approach that has long defined Massachusetts hardcore. Rather than chasing trends, Hard Target leans into authenticity, delivering music that is equal parts confrontational and cathartic, with a live show that has earned them a reputation as one of the area's hardest-hitting emerging acts.

Following their debut full-length, Relive. Rebuild. (2021), the band continued to build momentum with 2022's Losing Grip, further solidifying their place within New England's heavy music community. Their partnership with Crimewave Records helped introduce the band to a wider audience, but their foundation remains firmly rooted in the local scene that shaped them.

Whether performing in intimate DIY venues or on larger festival stages, Hard Target approaches every set with the same relentless intensity. As a new generation of Massachusetts hardcore continues to emerge, the Worcester outfit stands as a worthy torchbearer for one of heavy music's most influential regional scenes.

Essential Listening

 

An official playlist for the festival can be found here

Hunter Borkowski