Paul Collins Brings the Spirit of Power Pop to a Sold-Out TV Eye
Paul Collins’ The Beat brought a sold-out crowd to TV Eye in Queens for an evening celebrating the timeless energy of power pop. Collins delivered an hour-long set packed with some of the greatest songs from both the Nerves and the Beat, proving that decades later, the heart and urgency of these songs remain completely intact. Backed by Mike Brandon of Fast Kids on drums and backup vocals, Murat Akturk on guitar, and Alex Amini on bass, Collins and the band delivered a performance that felt both nostalgic and completely alive.
Before the show even began, the celebration of power pop culture was already underway with a record swap outside the venue hosted by Rebel Rouser Records. It was a scene in the best possible way. The crowd looked like they had stepped straight out of a 1970s rock documentary.
There were impeccably dressed fans sporting bell bottoms, creeper wingtips, leather vests, and every possible variation of the wolf haircut. There were Big Star shirts (a nod to one of the genre’s pioneers), Pimpsouls and Flaming Groovies tees, and plenty of conversations about rare finds and favorite records. Fans walked away carrying obscure LPs and hidden gems, clearly thrilled with their latest discoveries.
During the swap, Collins casually wandered outside to greet fans who were gathered on the patio enjoying drinks, food, and conversation. This felt more than just a concert; it was a gathering of a community. Many people seemed to know each other, with longtime friends reconnecting through hugs and conversations. The whole atmosphere felt relaxed and DIY, almost like being at a backyard barbecue where a friend’s band just happened to be playing — except that friend happened to be one of the legends of power pop.
THE STAR SPANGLES
Opening the night was New York garage-punk band The Star Spangles, who gained a following in the early 2000s after the release of their album Bazooka!!! Frontman Ian Wilson immediately commanded attention, dressed in a burgundy 1960s-inspired suit paired with red and white wingtip shoes. He brought a mix of Mick Jagger swagger and Sid Vicious attitude, balancing classic rock-star charisma with punk energy.
The entire band matched that intensity. The musicians were animated throughout the set, with the drummer frequently standing up before dramatically dropping back down behind the kit to drive the songs forward. They opened with one of their biggest hits, “Which One of the Two of Us Is Gonna Burn This House Down,” setting the tone for a night full of high-energy power pop. When the crowd joined in on the “oh oh oh” moments of the chorus, the room immediately felt connected. Although it was hard to tell how much of the singing came from the audience and how much came from me singing along.
PAUL COLLINS’ THE BEAT
When Paul Collins and company took the stage, they wasted no time launching into one of the Beat’s biggest songs, “Rock and Roll Girl” from the band’s self-titled album. From the opening notes, it was clear that Collins still performs with the same enthusiasm and intensity that defined the genre’s early years. His voice, stage presence, and connection with the audience carried the same spirit that made these songs resonate decades ago.
A major part of what made the night special was the audience itself. A group of fans had traveled all the way from Chicago specifically for this show, and they brought an infectious energy that even the famously cool New York crowd couldn’t ignore. Wearing sunglasses to shield their eyes from the bright stage lights, they spent the entire performance jumping, dancing, and throwing their hair around like they were reliving a favorite moment from their younger years.
After the show, I had the chance to talk with them and learned just how deeply connected they were to power pop. They mentioned that the last time they saw Collins was about ten years ago. One fan reflected on how much her life had changed since then. She has had children and moved into a different chapter of life, but for that night, the music transported her right back. For a few hours, she was that same young fan again, completely immersed in the songs that had stayed with her.
While this group seemed to know every word to every song, the entire crowd came alive for standout moments including “Working Too Hard,” “You Won’t Be Happy,” “When You Find Out,” and, of course, the Nerves’ legendary “Hanging on the Telephone.”
After the final notes, the night continued outside as DJ Ruby Q kept the celebration going with more power pop favorites spinning on the patio. The party didn’t feel like an afterthought but rather like a continuation of the entire experience.
Perhaps what continues to draw people to power pop is the sense of freedom at the center of it. At its core, the genre is about joy, excitement, and letting go. It is music that invites people to reconnect with a younger, more carefree version of themselves — not by looking backward, but by remembering that feeling of excitement and possibility.
At TV Eye, surrounded by longtime fans, new discoveries, and a room full of people singing along to songs that have lasted for generations, it was clear that power pop is still very much alive. And at the center of it all was Paul Collins. He’s still carrying the same energy, passion, and pure love for the music that made him the king of power pop in the first place.