“Mr. Wood Is Dead” Tour Makes A Stop In Lakewood, Ohio

The “Mr. Wood is Dead” Ten-Year Anniversary Tour made its stop at the Roxy at Mahall’s, bringing a sold-out crowd of 700 young fans to the upstairs ballroom of the historic Lakewood bowling alley. The venue blends vintage charm with a DIY punk vibe. Original wood from the bowling lanes still lines the floor, and old pinsetter parts have been turned into quirky light fixtures. The space feels intimate but energetic, perfect for a night that blurs the line between concert and spectacle.

The evening started with the Ruen Brothers from England. The older brother, Henry Stansall, took the lead on vocals and rhythm guitar. His voice was truly angelic, soft and soaring, with an almost haunting beauty. His guitar playing felt warm, rhythmic, and uplifting, instantly transporting me back to childhood memories of watching Peter, Paul, and Mary on PBS. They knew exactly why they were there: to warm up the crowd for Will Wood. And they did it with charm, tight harmonies, and a sound that felt both nostalgic and fresh. By the end of their set, the room was buzzing.

Will Wood and his band came out wearing bowling shoes in honor of the venue, which felt like the perfect kind of weird. They opened with “Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and the whole house was shaking. Every person in the crowd knew the words, singing along with so much energy it felt like the floor itself might give way.

Will Wood’s set felt like it really hit home for the Gen Z crowd. His songs are super introspective and full of irony, which just makes sense for this generation. They’re used to fast shifts in tone, joking about heavy stuff, and being totally self-aware all the time. You can tell they see themselves in his music.

I liked Will Wood’s set, but honestly I think I liked seeing how much the crowd loved him even more. They were all in. Just watching their faces, hearing them sing along. It was cool to see an artist connect with people like that.