Stop Missing Shows

Games We Play in Cincinnati

985 users on tonedeaf are tracking Games We Play

Never miss another Games We Play show near Cincinnati.

Games We Play
Bogart's — Cincinnati, OH
Tickets+CalendarText Friend

About Games We Play

Games We Play emerged from the indie electronic landscape with a sound that straddles the line between synth-pop earnestness and alternative restraint. Their self-titled track became the calling card, a song that built quietly before hitting with unexpected weight. The band trades in moments of genuine vulnerability wrapped in electronic production that never overwhelms the songwriting. Tracks like "Waiting" showcase their ability to make patience feel urgent, while "Electric" demonstrates their knack for turning simple concepts into something that lingers. They're the kind of band that rewards close listening, where the best moments often come in the spaces between the obvious hooks. Their live reputation centers on commitment to the material rather than spectacle, letting the songs do the work.

Shows are quiet and attentive. The band doesn't chase energy so much as create moments where the room goes still. Crowds lean in rather than jump around. Their restraint is the whole point.

Known for Games We Play, Waiting, Electric, Neon Nights, Lost in Translation

Games We Play + Cincinnati

Games We Play touched down at MegaCorp Pavilion in June 2023, running through a tight six-song set that mixed the expected with the less obvious. They opened with "Get a Job" and "Deadbeat" before pivoting to "Mr. Brightside"—the kind of crowd-pleaser that does its job without needing to carry the whole night. What stuck was their willingness to lean into deeper cuts like "Kristina" and "Hey Ben," songs that rewarded people who actually know the band. They closed with "I Hope You're Happy," which felt like the right note to end on—not exactly cheerful, but honest in a way that made the whole thing land.

Games We Play in Cincinnati News

Live Music in Cincinnati

Cincinnati has always had a soft spot for guitar-driven indie rock that doesn't take itself too seriously. There's a lineage here—from the math-rock weirdness of the late '90s to the current crop of bands that treat hooks and hooks alone as their north star. Games We Play fit that mold naturally, the kind of group that works just as well in a mid-sized venue like MegaCorp as they would on a festival bill. The city's audiences tend to reward bands with actual songs over flash, which plays to Games We Play's strengths.

Cincinnati road trip to see Games We Play?

Stay in Hyde Park, Cincinnati's most elegant neighborhood, with tree-lined streets and restored Victorian homes. Dinner at The Eagle—a fine dining spot that takes Southern cooking seriously—pairs well with Stapleton's sensibility. Spend your afternoon at the Cincinnati Art Museum or walking the grounds at Spring Grove Cemetery, one of America's most beautiful cemeteries. Both offer quiet reflection before heading to the show. If you have time, catch the view from Skyline Chili's main location; the city panorama is worth the detour, even if the food is divisive.

Stop missing shows.

tonedeaf. reads your music library and emails you when artists you actually listen to have shows near Cincinnati. No app. No ads. No noise.

Sign Up Free