For the Disney Channel kids growing up, Ross Lynch was a staple for the channel. Austin & Ally and the Teen Beach Movie series made him the blond, dreamy star. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and My Friend Dahmer allowed him to break out of this typecast, while still showcasing his acting talent and ambient charisma.
THE DRIVER ERA announced their spring North America tour a month and week before opening in Pittsburgh. The tickets quickly went from readily available, to resale, to a completely sold-out show. As a frequent concert attendee, their line outside of the Roxian Theatre in McKees Rocks was unmatched by any other artist I’ve seen at the venue.
The band is formally brother duo Ross and Rocky Lynch, who was one half of R5, with other performers joining to play drums, bass and other needed instruments. The Lynch brothers did play a song from Teen Beach Movie and R5, causing the crowd to scream so loud it wouldn’t be surprising if someone went home with a ruptured ear drum. I personally have been a fan since both the series and the band, but I did not really remember the songs. Due to the large crowd, it was important to hydrate at the venue. Be sure to stay hydrated and safe at crowded, hot concerts.
The audience was almost entirely women in high school and their 20s. As a person who presented much differently visually in 2018 when I started listening to THE DRIVER ERA, it was jarring to realize that not only am I mentally not the same person I was six years ago, but it is also physically apparent I am not either. It was admirable to see a total safe space for women who just wanted to see their childhood (or teen or adult) crush sing for them.
THE DRIVER ERA, for this reason, also holds sex appeal. Ross Lynch is a conventionally attractive man, and although he is gorgeous, the fans tend to take advantage of this. Barely into the show, fans were screaming for Ross to “take your shirt off” while performing popular songs like “Get Off My Phone” and “Malibu.” The artist was objectified the entire show and eventually listened to these shouts. As a usual part of his tours, singing shirtless for the last part of the show. He removed a pink fuzzy cowboy hat a fan gave him in the process, showing a sweaty brow.
While Ross and Rocky Lynch could be seen as not being successful without the history of Ross’ Disney Channel and Netflix past, I disagree. The band is disgustingly energetic, genuine and down-to-earth. Rocky took time out of the show to wish a fan a very direct Happy Birthday.
The energy at this show was so strong that the structural foundation of the Roxian Theatre balcony should definitely be inspected. People were jumping, singing and yelling, until the end. Their merchandise was also worth the wait, all cohesive with their bright blue color scheme.
