Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Black Veil Brides Close Out the First Leg of the Vindicatour in Dominant Fashion
One of modern rock’s most influential bands made their return to the Washington, D.C. area on May 29th, bringing a night full of nostalgia, energy, and some of the strongest material of their career. The Black Veil Brides brought the Vindicatour to The Fillmore in Silver Spring, joined by From Ashes to New, TX2, and As December Falls, for a stacked lineup that kept fans on their feet from the first note of the night until the final encore.
The evening began with a milestone performance for British rock outfit As December Falls. The tour marks the band’s first run through the United States, and they wasted no time making an impression on the Maryland crowd. Opening with “Carousel,” the band immediately brought an infectious groove to the stage. Their blend of soaring vocals, heavy guitars, and catchy hooks proved to be the perfect way to kick off the night.
Frontwoman Beth Curtis commanded the stage with confidence well beyond that of a band making its American touring debut. Songs like “Mayday” showcased the group’s ability to balance heaviness with melody, while the audience continued to grow throughout their set. By the time they closed with “Therapy,” it was clear that many fans had discovered a new band to add to their playlists. If this first American tour is any indication, As December Falls has a bright future ahead of them in the United States and beyond.
The energy continued to rise when TX2 took the stage. Known for their unapologetic approach to modern rock and alternative music, TX2 delivered a very energetic performance. Opening with “Feed,” they immediately had the crowd engaged as fans packed closer to the stage. Whether people came into the venue familiar with their music or not, it was difficult not to get caught up in the hype of the performance. Songs like “So Numb” had the crowd banging their heads while the band delivered a relentless wall of sound that kept the momentum moving forward. TX2 has developed a reputation for connecting with younger rock fans, and it was easy to see why throughout their set. Their performance concluded with “I Would Hate Me Too,” a fitting closer. By the end of the set, TX2 had successfully prepared the crowd for the heavier portion of the evening.
From Ashes to New took over next and delivered a kick-ass set that proved why they are the band to see on any tour they are a part of. Opening with “New Disease” from the band’s recently released album Reflections, the Pennsylvania rockers showcased the new sound that has propelled them to heights never before seen by some of the humblest people in rock. The energy only intensified as they rolled into fan favorites “Nightmare” and “Heartache.” Matt Brandyberry and Danny Case, joined by Mat Madiro, Lance Dowdle, and Jimmy Bennett, sounded tremendous throughout the set, effortlessly switching between soaring melodies, aggressive screams, and hard-hitting rap sections. The crowd responded by singing every word back to the band.
There was an added emotional layer to the performance as the show took place close to Brandyberry’s hometown. Throughout the night, he spoke about family members being in attendance and reflected on how meaningful the evening was for him personally. One particularly moving moment came when he acknowledged the wife and son of a close friend who had passed away. The heartfelt moment injected a sense of perspective into an otherwise high-octane performance and demonstrated the strong connection the band has with their fans and family.
One of the biggest highlights of the set came when Beth Curtis of As December Falls joined the band for “Barely Breathing.” The collaboration sounded fantastic live and earned one of the loudest reactions of the night up to that point. From Ashes to New closed their set with “Panic,” bringing their performance to an explosive finish and leaving the crowd eager for what was still to come.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived!
As the lights dimmed inside The Fillmore, anticipation reached a fever pitch. The Black Veil Brides have spent nearly two decades building one of the most dedicated fanbases in rock music, and judging by the reaction inside the venue, that loyalty remains stronger than ever.
The band opened with longtime fan favorite “Knives and Pens,” and the reaction was immediate. Fans erupted as Andy Biersack made his way across the stage while Jinxx, Jake Pitts, CC and Lonny Eagleton delivered the massive sound that has defined Black Veil Brides for years. From the opening notes, it was clear the crowd was there for BVB.
One of the most impressive aspects of the performance was the balance between the old and new. The band showcased several songs from its newest era, including “Bleeders,” “Vindicate,” and “Revenger.” While newer songs can sometimes struggle to match the reaction of established classics, that was not the case in Silver Spring. Fans exclaimed their cheers loudly throughout the new material, proving just how well the songs have connected with the BVB community.
As always, stage presence was one of the strongest elements of a BVB show. Biersack spent much of the evening interacting with fans, reading signs, responding to comments from the crowd, and making sure every section of the venue felt involved. In between songs, audience members shouted everything from compliments to completely random remarks, creating several entertaining exchanges that kept the atmosphere loose and personal.
The interaction between the band and the audience is something that has always separated BVB from their peers. Fans were not simply watching a concert; they felt like they were part of the show itself. The second half of the set was filled with some of the biggest songs in the band’s catalog. “Rebel Love Song” transformed the venue into one massive choir as hundreds of voices joined together. “Wake Up” brought another surge of energy, with fans refusing to let the momentum slow down.
Of course, no Black Veil Brides show would be complete without an encore. The band returned to the stage for “Lost It All” before closing the evening with a fitting metaphor for the finale of a show, “In the End.” As the closing notes rang throughout The Fillmore, the crowd erupted one final time. It was the perfect ending to an exceptional night of music.
If this tour is coming anywhere near you, do not miss the opportunity to see it. Nights like this are exactly why live music remains such a special experience.
The first part of the Vindicatour ended on Saturday night in Worcester, MA. BVB will be back in the States for Part II after their trip across the pond for the summer European festival circuit.
Tickets for the Part II, starting in late August, can be purchased on the BVB website linked below. Don’t miss out!
Follow along with the band’s many adventures at their socials:
Website // Instagram // Facebook // TikTok
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
BLACK VEIL BRIDES
FROM ASHES TO NEW
TX2
All Photo Credit: Ryan Renger
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: David Lee Roth Brings the Party to Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre
Some artists play a concert. David Lee Roth puts on a show.
The legendary Van Halen frontman took over Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre on July 13 for nearly two and a half hours of classic rock, storytelling, and larger-than-life personality. From the moment he stepped on stage, it was obvious Vancouver still holds a special place in his heart. Throughout the night, he reminisced about recording here over the years and shared fond memories of his time at the Nelson Place Hotel, where, judging by the grin on his face, he had more than a few unforgettable nights.
If you’ve ever seen Diamond Dave, you know the music is only part of the experience.
Roth’s storytelling was in peak form, with tales between songs that seemed to wander wherever his brain felt like taking them. The longest detour of the night eventually landed on “Ice Cream Man,” with Roth picking up an acoustic guitar and easing into the Van Halen classic. Moments like that are exactly why he’s never been just a singer; he’s a showman through and through, and the crowd was loving every minute of it.
At one point, Roth referred to himself as “35 years old… times two,” and honestly, the man has enough energy to make people half his age question their cardio. He powered through almost two and a half hours with barely a pause, constantly moving across the stage with his signature Muppet-like swagger, dramatic poses and facial expression, and even a limbo under his microphone stand just because… he’s David Lee Roth. As a self-proclaimed “paper cup of whiskey,” Roth couldn’t have described himself more perfectly: a little rough around the edges, endlessly charismatic, and impossible not to enjoy.
The setlist delivered exactly what Vancouver came to hear, with Van Halen classics including “Panama,” “Jamie’s Cryin’,” “Dance the Night Away,” “Hot for Teacher,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” “Jump,” and “Runnin’ with the Devil.” One of the evening’s standout moments came during “Unchained,” where Roth busted out a harmonica solo, adding his own twist to one of the band’s heaviest anthems.
The crowd was all in from the opening song, singing every chorus back to the stage, cheering between stories, even telling Roth to “gimme a break” when the time came (iykyk). While his voice doesn’t quite reach the same sky-high notes it did in the ’80s, that hardly mattered. Rather than chasing perfection, Roth leaned into what has always made him such a captivating performer: personality, humour, spontaneity, and an undeniable love for being on stage. You could genuinely feel how much fun he was having, and that enthusiasm spread through the theatre.
His backing band kept the iconic songs sounding tight and full of energy, while the backup vocalists were an absolute highlight of the night. They were impossible not to watch, dancing through every song, interacting with each other, and laughing along with Roth‘s antics. The moment one of the backing vocalists sauntered across the stage to jump behind another set of synth keys, you knew the crowd was about to be transported straight into synth heaven. Their chemistry with one another and with Roth added another layer of excitement to an already lively performance, making the stage feel alive from start to finish.
With plenty of videos from earlier stops on the tour circulating online, Vancouver’s performance felt like one of the strongest of the run. Roth looked relaxed, sounded confident, and seemed genuinely excited to be back in a city that’s clearly been an important part of his career. Whether it was the hometown memories, the electric crowd, or simply one of those nights where everything clicked, the show had an extra spark that carried through from start to finish
David Lee Roth may not sound exactly like he did four decades ago, and honestly, that’s okay. What hasn’t changed is his ability to command a stage, make thousands of people smile, and turn a concert into a full-blown rock ‘n’ roll party. For diehard Van Halen fans, it was a chance to relive the classics. For everyone else, it was a reminder that great songs are one thing, but a true showman knows how to make them unforgettable.
Check our our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full glallery!
DAVID LEE ROTH IN VANCOUVER
All Photo Credit: Heather Horncastle
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: A$AP Rocky’s Tour Finale Brings Out 50 Cent, Ice Spice, and the A$AP Mob
Coming off the hype of his long-awaited fourth studio album Don’t Be Dumb, A$AP Rocky has been turning up shows and electrifying audiences across major venues in North America. On Saturday, he was performing at the Prudential Center, which is near his hometown of New York. Eager fans packed into the venue, greeted by a warning on the big screen that read, “Please be advised that this performance includes SWAT performers and strobe effects. Enjoy the show!” The message felt direct yet somewhat chilling.
When the moment finally arrived, A$AP Rocky stormed onto the general admission floor accompanied by police officers and masked bodyguards sporting AWGE tactical gear. Unlike most concerts, this one kicked off in the middle of the crowd. When he shouted, “Open that shit up!” the crowd erupted, and all hell broke loose.
As fans piled in to get as close as possible to the rapper, the once-spacious venue transformed into a massive mosh pit. It was organized chaos, much to A$AP‘s delight, as he seemed to feed off their energy, a true ringleader in the mayhem. Most rappers wouldn’t dare start a show this way for obvious safety reasons. But not A$AP, he enjoys being right in the middle of the action.
Performing some of the more energetic songs from his new album, like “Helicopter” and “Order of Protection,” he danced, jumped, and pushed back against the crowd. This felt like a special show, as the hometown kid finally got to celebrate with his New York and New Jersey fans.
Joining him for this event were several special guests, including Ice Spice, Uncle Murda, 50 Cent, Skilla Baby, and various members of the A$AP Mob, blessing the crowd with favorites like “Deli,” “Many Men,” and “Thick One.” With this final show, Rocky concluded his United States and Canada run of the Don’t Be Dumb tour with a banger. We can only look forward to more surprises and epic moments as he takes the show to Europe. Rocky will be taking no prisoners as he embarks on this extended leg. I just hope those fans heed the warning and come ready to turn up with the mob.
Check out our favorite photos of the show below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
A$AP ROCKY
All Photo Credit: Anthony Grant