From Fiction to Flourishing: The Runarounds Take A Detour From OBX to World Cafe Live
Words by Ava Firmani
Photos by Ava Firmani & Kendall Deckertt
The Runarounds at World Cafe Live.
Photo Credit: Ava Firmani
In the midst of all the chaos and noise in the world, The Runarounds are a reminder of the magic that happens when music finds the right people—and the right moment.
What began as a subtle background appearance in the hit 2020 Netflix series Outer Banks has grown into something no one saw coming: a full-fledged indie pop-rock band with a dedicated fanbase and serious talent to back it up. William Lipton, Axel Ellis, Zendé Murdock, Jesse Golliher, and Jeremy Yun were originally cast to play a fictional band in an episode, but OBX creator Jonas Pate clearly had bigger plans. That spark of on-screen chemistry transformed into a real-world musical project—and now, they’re taking their sound on the road.
On September 18, 2025, The Runarounds brought their Minivan Tour to World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, marking the third stop of the tour—and a sold-out one at that. Originally scheduled for the upstairs lounge, the show was bumped to the venue’s larger Center Stage room after overwhelming demand. From wall to wall, the place buzzed with anticipation.
BEAN. opening the show for The Runarounds at World Cafe Live.
Photo Credit: Ava Firmani
Opening the night was BEAN., whose acoustic-groove performance set a warm, mellow tone before the main event. But as the lights dimmed and Axel Ellis stepped out to prep his mic and guitar, the crowd erupted. The energy surged as the rest of the band—William, Zendé, Jesse, and Jeremy—joined him, all grinning ear to ear, clearly just as excited as the fans.
The band launched into their set with an instrumental lead-in to “Ghosts,” their first track of the night. From that moment on, the room belonged to them. Every lyric, every beat was met with unfiltered joy from a crowd that knew every word. Fans of all ages—girls, moms, even reluctant boyfriends—sang along with full hearts and loud voices.
Axel Ellis commanded the stage with a presence reminiscent of Freddie Mercury—electric, captivating, and unapologetically free. During their cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie,” Ellis didn’t just perform; he lived the song. Every movement, every glance felt intentional, drawing the audience deeper into the experience. His ability to connect, to let the music speak through him, was nothing short of magnetic.
Alongside him, William Lipton brought a different kind of charm—the effortless “boy next door” charisma that had the crowd hanging on every note. He played like he was performing for a group of close friends, his grin never fading. The joy he felt being on stage was contagious.
The Runarounds.
Photo Credit: Kendall Deckert
Jesse Golliher brought his own quiet charisma. Starting off reserved and focused on his bass lines, he gradually let the music build his confidence until he was buzzing with energy. At one point during the show, while I was photographing him, he spotted the camera, playfully acted surprised, and we shared a laugh. That spontaneous connection summed up the spirit of the night. By the time their final track, “Senior Year,” rolled around—with Jesse opening the song—it was his moment to shine, and the crowd knew it.
Holding it all down from behind the kit was Zendé Murdock, whose drumming was nothing short of a force of nature. Passionate, powerful, and precise, his playing demanded attention without ever asking for it. Think Wayne’s Worldheadbanging during “Bohemian Rhapsody”—yeah, it was that kind of energy. The spotlight doesn’t chase Zendé—it follows him.
And then there’s Jeremy Yun, the perfect complement to Lipton’s sunny presence. Calm and collected, Jeremy strummed like the music flowed straight through his veins. He wore a smile the entire set, clearly living his dream. His mission to create music that connects with people was realized right there, on that stage, in real time.
September 18 at World Cafe Live wasn’t just another tour stop—it was a night that reminded everyone in the room why live music matters. The Runarounds are more than a band born out of a TV show—they’re a band with heart, ambition, and undeniable talent. If this performance is any indication, they're only getting started.
Catch them while you can—you’ll want to say you saw The Runarounds before they blew up.
Check out The Runarounds on their socials!
