Christine Innocent Emo Nite has never been afraid to get weird, but on April 4, 2025, they took things delightfully off the rails with their “Swamp Romp” takeover at Avalon Hollywood—an emo-themed journey straight into the bog. And honestly? It ruled.
Avalon was transformed into a murky dreamscape: dangling moss, fog-covered dance floors, glowing green lights that made everyone look half feral, half heartbreak-ridden. Fans arrived in varying degrees of commitment to the theme—everything from vests to full swamp gear and ghillie suits that made moshing to early-2000s anthems look impressively athletic.
The DJs delivered what Emo Nite does best: a joyfully chaotic mix of emo, pop-punk, and Myspace-era catharsis. But the night’s biggest moments came from the surprise special guests—two iconic names no one expected to crawl out of the proverbial muck.
First up: DJ Foreign Warren
DJ Foreign Warren. Photos courtesy of emonite.com
Imagine starting off an emo night with 100% no emo music. Don’t ask how, but Warren got away with a full set playing things from 80s new wave, 2000s pop, Charli XCX, and even Sabrina Carpenter. The regulars here have come to expect surprise sets like this one while walking into Emo Nite when doors open.
Next up: TJ & Morgan of Emo Nite
Is it really an Emo Nite without its founders TJ & Morgan starting off the set with Sugar, We’re Goin Down by Fall Out Boy after a cheesy video skit? No, no it’s not. This is when the emo anthems finally started playing all night long. Nuff said.
Surprise Guest: Hoobastank
When the opening chords of “The Reason” hit, the crowd reaction was nothing short of feral. The entire room belted every word with the emotional intensity of a thousand middle-school breakups. It was dramatic, it was nostalgic, and it was perfect. Doug Robb’s vocals were spot-on—equal parts powerful and warmly familiar—turning the swamp theme suddenly, hilariously tender. A collective cleansing, if you will.
Another shock: Wheatus (yes, Wheatus):
Instead of the explosive pop-punk energy fans might have expected, they performed a stripped-down acoustic version of “Teenage Dirtbag”—and it somehow fit the swamp aesthetic even better than the original. The crowd swayed, phones glowed, and for three minutes, the room was unified in a soft, slightly grimy sing-along. It felt intimate and surreal, like campfire karaoke in a cursed forest.
Between the unexpected performances, the on-theme visuals, and the unabashedly emotional crowd, the “Swamp Romp” was exactly what Emo Nite does best: creating a space where nostalgia, absurdity, and sincerity coexist. It was sweaty, swampy, and absolutely unforgettable.
If Emo Nite announces another themed night even half as unhinged as this one, don’t walk—slog through the mud and get there. Stay updated with all of Emo Nite’s events at https://emonite.com/
