Lip Critic's Chaotic 'Theft Saga' Tour Hits Unorthodox Venues

The New York band brought their high-energy antics to a laundromat, a boxing ring, and more to promote their new album

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:23pm

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An extreme close-up of shattered, glittering glass reflecting a deep red light, conveying the intense, high-energy atmosphere of Lip Critic's unconventional live shows.The shattered remnants of a disco ball capture the wild, uncompromising spirit of Lip Critic's 'Theft Saga' tour.NYC Today

New York band Lip Critic put on a three-show tour at unconventional venues like a laundromat and a boxing ring to promote their new album 'Theft World.' The shows featured chaotic, high-energy performances from Lip Critic and their opening acts, with the band embracing the risks and unpredictability of live music.

Why it matters

Lip Critic's 'Theft Saga' tour highlights the band's commitment to creating a vibrant, uncompromising live experience that goes against the grain of more subdued, algorithm-driven music. By performing at unusual venues, the band aims to inject passion and spontaneity back into the live music scene.

The details

For the 'Theft Saga' tour, Lip Critic played shows at a Bushwick laundromat, a downtown Manhattan bar, and a boxing ring. The opening acts, including Post-Punk Fever Dream and Balaclava, set the tone with intense, physical performances that primed the crowd for Lip Critic's antics. The band members embrace the risks of live music, with frontman Kaser saying they've 'obliterated our ability to be embarrassed' and are willing to 'absolutely lose our minds every single night' to entertain the audience.

  • Lip Critic opened the 'Theft Saga' tour at the Yong Xin Tan Laundromat in Bushwick.
  • The second night of the tour took place at Spring Bar in downtown Manhattan.
  • The tour concluded with a show at a boxing ring venue.

The players

Lip Critic

A New York-based band known for their high-energy, chaotic live performances and conceptual approach to their music and visuals.

Pop Music Fever Dream (PMFD)

The opening act for the first night of the 'Theft Saga' tour, a post-punk band that used the laundromat space to their advantage during their set.

Balaclava

The opening act for the second night of the 'Theft Saga' tour, a thrash metal band that primed the crowd with their off-kilter sound.

MX LONELY

The opening act for the final show of the 'Theft Saga' tour, who called for trans liberation before performing their hit track 'Big Hips.'

Griffin Lotz

The photographer who captured images of the 'Theft Saga' tour for Rolling Stone.

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What they’re saying

“It's really tough to maintain practicing all the time, making this a full-time thing when you're not on tour. So we just try to get in a room and practice as much as possible to really drill these songs in. We stretch a lot before the shows, that's really important.”

— Eberle, Lip Critic member

“We have obliterated our ability to be embarrassed years ago. We're here to make you laugh, and if you're not gonna laugh, we're at least to have you go back to your job the next day and go, 'Oh, my God, I saw the worst band I've ever!'”

— Kaser, Lip Critic frontman

“If there's 25 people here and none of them look like they're going to enjoy this, I have to play the best set I've ever played.”

— Kleitz, Lip Critic member

“I'm not here to make background music. With algorithmic streaming culture and music that has to be a little inconspicuous ... we're here to go directly against that, to be entirely vibrant in ourselves and celebrate being alive and celebrate living without dimming ourselves down.”

— Kaser, Lip Critic frontman

The takeaway

Lip Critic's 'Theft Saga' tour demonstrates the band's commitment to creating an uncompromising, high-energy live experience that goes against the grain of more subdued, algorithm-driven music. By embracing the risks and unpredictability of performing at unconventional venues, Lip Critic aims to inject passion and spontaneity back into the live music scene.