PUP and the Snotty Nose Rez Kids bring the love to MacHall
By Cameron Sauder, January 28 2026—
Despite the larger venue, PUP (aka Pathetic Use of Potential) and the Snotty Nose Rez Kids brought a hometown concert feel to the halls of UCalgary for an all-time show.
Walking into MacHall on Nov. 29 for my first concert at the venue, I was surprised at how seamless the transition was. The once empty hallways were filled with security officers, stands for merch and beer, and hundreds of punks in all different shapes and sizes. I got in a lot quicker than I expected, delighting at how many community members, not just students, had turned out for the show.
But all the leather jackets, spikes, piercings, mohawks and smiling faces spoke to more than just a confluence of communities — for the first time since I’ve moved here, I saw just how lively and vibrant Calgary’s punk scene really is.
It’s true what they say: the freaks do come out at night.
Once the venue had partially filled, the lights went out and the Snotty Nose Rez Kids took the stage wielding long braids, lyrical flow and speakers blasting the bass so hard I thought my heart was going to stop. I never envy an opener, especially not one playing such a different genre — hip hop doesn’t seem very conducive to punk rock — but these guys did great.
They got the crowd bopping their heads, singing along and even opening up a few mosh pits. The love and energy was undeniable, but most of all was their sincerity as they thanked the crowd, now sufficiently hyped for the main act.
Of course PUP rocked. If you’ve heard any of their most popular songs, you’ll know the kind of energy they bring: the kind of energy that only gets amplified during a live show, with fans thrashing and screaming in support.
Once again, the theme was love and community, with lead singer Mike Babcock preaching for us to take care of one another in this messed up world. And we did. When Mike played “Shut Up” on his own after admitting he wasn’t too confident, the crowd cheered and clapped in support — and that performance, dripping with emotion, was a highlight from the night. Later on, PUP stopped playing right before the end of a song because someone was hurt in the pit. Everyone stopped and made sure the person got help, though I didn’t see it happening myself, and Mike let us know he was proud.
Love and support was truly in the air, especially in the mosh pit. That might not make a lot of sense at first, but it’s something you can never truly understand until you experience it yourself: when people keep lifting the same shoe in the air that someone’s lost, or when a flying body hits you from behind, knocking your glasses off, but everyone around you pulls you back up and makes sure you find whatever got sucked into the swarm.
And capping it all off was the trans flag flying proudly on stage for the whole night.
Of course, social justice isn’t always about love, and Mike took a moment in the middle of the set to get political, telling anyone who doesn’t support trans rights or women having autonomy over their bodies to get out.
He called for the freedom of Palestine, and he gave a special “fuck you” to Danielle Smith, receiving mighty roars of agreement with each addition.
PUP’s set was a blur of chaotic dancing, raucous music and bodies flying through the air — including Mike himself near the end! The show went well into the night, but in MacHall, time stood still as we thrashed and sang.
And to cap off the show, PUP brought the Snotty Nose Rez Kids out one last time for a special cover of “Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys. Needless to say, it was legendary.
As I followed the stream of punks outside, my sweaty skin steaming against the cool, night air, I could tell that we’d just gotten the VIP treatment from two amazing bands.
Nov. 29 might have been the first time PUP came to UCalgary in six years, but after the show they put on and the love they got in return, I have a feeling they’ll be coming back sooner than you might think.