Phoneboy blends 2000s punk, indie pop at The Song & Dance downtown
Some fans were drawn to Phoneboy’s concert because of their love for their album “Moving Out.” The band performed songs from that album and from their more recent release, “Heartbreak Designer.” Madison Cox | Staff Photographer
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.
As Phoneboy got ready to take the stage at The Song & Dance Tuesday night, attendee Thomas Roy was eager to hear his favorite records.
“My friend Elijah put me on Phoneboy and I’ve been hooked ever since,” Roy said. “I can’t wait to hear them play my favorite song of theirs, ‘Roses.’”
Indie-alternative rock band Phoneboy visited downtown Syracuse Tuesday night at The Song & Dance. The show was part of the band’s tour for their new album “Heartbreak Designer.”
They’re playing some shows around the United States as a short break between Phoneboy’s support on The Wrecks’ U.S. tour and The Happy Fits’ European tour. Wyn Barnum said this year marks their 100th show.
“This is kind of all we’ve ever wanted to do,” Barnum said. “It’s like summer camp.”
Barnum and Ricky Dana formed Phoneboy in 2018 in Hoboken, New Jersey.
“I saw he had an acoustic guitar and a ‘Chon’ shirt,” Barnum said. “I wanted to start a band in college, so of course I saw Ricky.”
Barnum then recruited his childhood friend James Fusco to play bass.
Phoneboy’s current lineup includes Fusco playing bass, Jordan Torres on keyboard with occasional vocals and Barnum and Dana both providing vocals and playing guitar.
Although they’re currently based in Brooklyn, the band said they’re influenced online by music all around the world. Phoneboy’s sound blends early 2000s punk with modern indie pop.
Before Phoneboy took the stage, Sammy Curcuru, a Syracuse University senior and indie artist, warmed up the crowd with a handful of his songs including “im down if ur down” and “reaching.”
When Cucuru got to SU, he felt he could finally release music after years of practice. He said being in a college environment is valuable because students his own age support him and his music.
“I was hit by a second wave of FOMO,” he said. “I couldn’t figure out who I was or what I was going to do, and that panicking is what led me to drop my first couple releases.”
Cucuru has performed at The Song & Dance before, so returning felt full circle for him.
Sammy Curcuru opened for Phoneboy on Tuesday night. He said college is a unique opportunity for support from fellow students. Madison Cox | Staff Photographer
Local Syracuse band Fever Dream also opened the show. The newly formed band started with covers of popular songs such as Hozier’s “Too Sweet.” The band also showcased their new debut single, “Back to Boston,” which was released this past summer.
After an electric opening from Curcuru and Fever Dream, Phoneboy took the stage. The band kicked things off with “Wayside,” the opener from “Heartbreak Designer,” and instantly had the crowd engaged.
The band continued to play songs from their new album, like “Better Than You,” and “Hung Up.” During the performance of “Better Than You” Torres came out to assist with vocals.
“I wasn’t really part of the writing and recording process for the first two records because I was working a finance job,” Torres said. “I finally quit in 2024 and then I started doing this full time with them, so it’s been really fun.”
During “Open Up,” Dana had everyone in the crowd get low as he raced to the finale of the song. He instructed everyone to jump as high as they could once he riffed his guitar. The crowd jumped in excitement and banged their heads.
Some fans have deep connections with some of Phoneboy’s records. One album in particular, “Moving Out” had a profound impact on attendee Elijah Meyers.
“I love Phoneboy, I really grew attached with their second album, ‘Moving Out,’” Meyers said. “I have high expectations tonight, their shows are always so hype.”
The band hopes to continue touring and creating new music. Dana said the band’s goal is to keep expanding their audience. They believe in their last album, he said, and want as many people to hear it as possible.
“We just try to make sure that everybody there, whether it’s their first concert or they’ve been to hundreds, feels like they have a chance to try and be themselves,” Barnum said.
