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Fans in Gainesville: Get ready because The Runarounds are officially going on tour, and they’re performing in Gainesville at Heartwood Soundstage on October 18th at 8:00 p.m.
If you have scrolled through TikTok lately or binged a new show on Prime Video, chances are The Runarounds has popped up on your radar. The show, released on September 1st, follows a group of high school seniors who can play, rock and are determined to turn their band dreams into reality.
Without spoiling too much, because, trust me, you’ll want to watch for yourself, the series is a love letter to band culture, and it’s blowing up for a reason. The Runarounds captures the exciting, chaotic and sometimes messy energy of being on the edge of adolescence while trying to figure out what comes next.
Here’s the twist: The Runaround characters aren’t just actors, they are actual band members who existed before the show. The producers of the series pulled bits and pieces from their real lives to shape the story, which explains why the performances feel so natural and why the chemistry on screen doesn’t feel staged.
Of course, the drama is dialed up for TV, but knowing these musicians are really living the storyline adds a whole new layer of authenticity; the concept blurs the line between fiction and reality in a way that makes the viewing experience even better.
The fact that the band represents more than just a storyline on TV makes their persona much more exciting, in my opinion. They are proof of what can happen when music, media and digital culture collide. They are blending fiction and reality in a way that makes fans feel like they’re part of the journey.
One of my favorite details from the show was when the band’s manager suggested they use social media to build their audience. At first, it felt like just a clever plot point, an addition to move the story along. However, I soon realized the manager’s idea is exactly what the band has been doing in real life.
Another reason this show is worth getting excited about is the mix of music that the Runarounds perform. On the show, you see their original songs, but also fun covers that let them show off their range. In real life, they do the same thing.
Off-screen, The Runarounds have mastered the art of connecting with fans through TikTok and Instagram. The band’s videos feel casual but captivating, the kind of posts you stumble across once and then immediately go looking for more. And, just like in the show, the group’s social media marketing strategy is working.
The Runarounds’ cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie” went viral, and suddenly my whole for you page was filled with clips of the band performing it. The kind of organic rise the band has experienced is rare. It is one thing for a band to get recognition because of a TV show, but it is another for them to also prove that their work stands on its own.
The Runarounds aren’t just coasting on Prime Video fame; they are using that platform as a launchpad, building a genuine following that’s only getting bigger by the day. The fact that their fanbase ranges from teenagers who discovered them online to adults who just love good, live music says a lot about their scope.
The upcoming concert’s setlist gives fans the best of both worlds: Originals that showcase their identity as a band, and covers that make the crowd sing along word for word, a combination of familiarity and freshness that will make the concerts feel like an event, not just a performance.
Tickets are already on sale for the band’s Gainesville appearance. If you have never been to a show at Heartwood, it’s the perfect spot for this kind of band. The venue is big enough to feel like a real concert, but small enough that you feel close to the music and the energy of the crowd. After the concert, you will be able to say, “I saw them up close before they blew up,” which feels like a rite of passage as a college student.
Heartwood shows don’t stay under the radar for long, especially when the act is trending across social media. If you’re even a little curious, this is one of those times to grab a ticket now and figure out the logistics later.
Whether you discovered them through Prime, stumbled across them online or are just hearing about them now, one thing is clear: This band isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Gainesville gets the chance to experience that momentum first-hand, and it is not something you will want to miss.