For anyone who’s ever dreamed of paying to attend an event in which they can be surrounded by jesters: you may be interested in investing your money in a ticket to see The Garden.

The punk band released a new album recently this September, making HORSESHIT ON ROUTE 66 their seventh studio album, and it sure seems to be hitting with fans. Joined by breakcore duo Machine Girl, The Garden hit the road in early October to tour their new album, deeming it the Horseshit On Route 66 Tour, Portland being their fourth to last stop this year. With Crystal Ballroom as the host, the venue was consumed by people of all ages jittery and ready to go, the bouncy floor perfect for the night of moshing that was about to commence.

Duo Machine Girl took the stage first, the crowd greeting them with a loud roar as vocalist/producer Matthew Stephenson and drummer Sean Kelly prepared to begin. It quickly became very apparent to me that Machine Girl was going to be a hit with the audience, as approximately 30 seconds in and the moshing had already started, fans going (rightfully) hard to the music. As Matt ran around onstage, they switched between climbing atop amplifiers, writhing on the ground, jamming at their keyboard, and running down the aisle way created between the all ages and 21+ sections, choosing to mosh with both crowds! Aside from their unique sound (which was super refreshing to hear, and may have turned me into a fan as I went into their music blind) Machine Girl was insanely good at engaging with their fans, clearly giving them what they wanted to see.

There was a brief intermission between the two sets, the lights turning on as security rushed to take care of a few people who’d become sick (I guess you can go too hard to Machine Girl) and the touring crew on stage set up a humongous inflatable jester, which was just slightly scary, arguably. Not long after though, the room began to dim again and The Garden made their grand appearance for the night.

As the Shears twins stepped on stage was obviously causation for a loud wave of cheers, fans staring at the applied jester face paint on stage that they’d lovingly used in reference to their own. The pair started off on guitar and drums, launching into “Haunted House on Zillow” as an excellent opening choice. From there on out it was complete chaos in the (several) pits that had formed in the crowd, The Garden ensuring to play several hits mixed among their newer stuff. As they conducted the crowd from the stage, the duo switched between their respective instruments and running around with handheld mics in order to match the energy of the fans in front of them, and it certainly worked.

The Garden’s Portland Setlist:

By the end of the night, those who had kept up the entirety of the set were already gossiping amongst themselves about the amazing night they’d had, grabbing cups of water as they began to make their way out the venue, avoiding stepping on the clumps of hair scattered along the ground (unfortunately I am being dead serious about numerous clumps of hair covering the floor, I suppose passion could be an explanation for that though? Let’s go with that.) as face paint dripped down faces and hair was pulled up into ponytails.

All being said and done, The Garden brought a fresh sound into Crystal Ballroom that evening, and left concert goers with a night they won’t forget!

See full gallery below.