Five Boys, One Sold-Out Room, and the Best Drummer I’ve Ever Seen
by emmalee sullivan
Back in October 2025, I came across a TV show about five boys starting a band CALLED THE RUNAROUNDS, and of course, I was immediately intrigued. After finishing the entire series in less than a week, I found myself craving a getaway to North Carolina, one that involved getting ice cream on the beach and hearing a band play on top of an old building.
That same week, I bought a ticket to a Runarounds show scheduled for February, and after five months of anticipation, I finally got a taste of that upper-south teen life I had been romanticizing on my screen. While I had already enjoyed the band through the show and recognized their strong vocal and instrumental talent, I was curious to see if their live performance would live up to that level. I quickly learned to never question a band that quite literally has an entire series built around them, their live skills surpassed anything I had seen on screen.
I knew the fanbase was dedicated when tickets sold out within minutes of the announcement, but nothing prepared me for the line that wrapped around the building three times before doors even opened. The opener, Aestrea, delivered a captivating set that balanced high-energy tracks with softer, flowy songs that had the crowd swaying side to side. I always appreciate when an opener includes a cover, it gives fans a familiar anchor while showcasing the artist’s personal style. Aestrea surprised everyone by closing her set with a stunning cover of “Space Song” by Beach House. Ending on such an atmospheric note after performing her own material first left a lasting impression and, honestly, was impeccable taste.
After Aestrea’s lovely start to the evening, I quickly realized there was no room to linger before heading into the photo pit, every single fan who planned to attend was already inside. This is not a “show up when they start” fanbase; this is a “merch in hand, food secured, and barricade claimed immediately after doors” kind of crowd. That level of dedication filled the room with an electric anticipation that made me even more excited for the set to begin.
When the lights shifted to a warm dark orange and the intro began to play, I was instantly immersed in the summery joy that their music brings. As soon as the boys emerged on stage and launched into their hit “Ghosts,” I knew we were in for something special. The track demands tight guitar work, and watching them execute it live was genuinely thrilling. Their playing was so synchronized that I nearly forgot I was there as a photographer. I was completely locked in on the performance itself.
I’m always attentive to how artists present themselves on stage, especially when they’re known for upbeat songs, and I genuinely don’t think I have a single photo of the band not smiling. The joy radiating from the stage was undeniable. After nearly every song, the members expressed how grateful they were to be playing the club and how much they appreciated the crowd. No matter how your Friday had gone, this show was guaranteed to turn it into a night of fond memories.
After shooting from multiple angles around the venue and squeezing into whatever open space I could find, I eventually settled at the back, peeking through the crowd to take in the performance with my own eyes. Whenever I review a show, I keep a running notes tab on my phone to capture moments I don’t want to forget, and this was the only I wrote:
As a lifelong concert junkie and music enthusiast, I’ve seen some truly outstanding drummers, but I can confidently say ZendÉ is one of the best I have ever seen live. At moments, his arms moved so fast it looked like watching a fan spin, so quick it almost appeared slow. In the Amazon series, a major plot point suggested he was “too good” for the group and destined to work with major artists, which I always found interesting. Seeing him live made that storyline feel completely believable. If anything, he exceeded my expectations. I couldn’t take my eyes off him the entire night.
The next day, while running errands and raving to my dad on the phone about the show (and, of course, the drummer), I revisited their songs to figure out what made them so addictive. Track after track, the drums consistently stood out. While I could easily dedicate this entire review to ZendÉ’s musicianship alone, there was so much more about the show worth highlighting.
My personal favorite song of theirs is “Minivan,” thanks to its unique guitar pattern and the long vocal draw in “North Carolinaaaa,” and hearing it live was a major highlight of my night.
As the show came to a close, the band returned for an encore performance of “Downtown,” another favorite of mine featuring a standout guitar solo before and after the bridge, and they absolutely nailed it. When ZendÉ struck the final beat of the night, the crowd erupted into cheers, hands reaching out in hopes of catching a setlist or guitar pick.
Walking out of the venue, I felt an unusual brightness instead of the usual post-show sadness. Every fan still had a smile on their face, energy buzzing through the room even as the night ended, that’s just what The Runarounds do to people. As the Minivan Tour wraps up at the end of February, I can’t wait to see what comes next for the band. Personally, I’m hoping for more upbeat, beachy tracks with insane drums that I can blast on my next trip to North Carolina.
