liveinrdg

Trivium and Jinjer bring the 'Ascend Above The Ashes Tour' to Lancaster

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:59:11 GMT

Trivium is back on the road in 2025 — and this time, they’ve brought Jinjer along for a blistering run across the U.S. on the “Ascend Above The Ashes Tour.”

Over the last four years, the rock and metal world has seen a wild expansion of dream-team co-headlining and powerful support on tours, the kind fans never thought they’d see outside of wish lists. Rising metal powerhouse Jinjer has been in the international spotlight ever since they were forced to exit Slipknot’s 2022 tour to return home and support Ukraine’s war efforts. In the years since, they’ve become global ambassadors for both their country and the metal community. And even as the supporting act on this tour, the band was greeted by a massive turnout and a stage setup that matched their well-earned status in the scene. Their addition on this tour with Trivium was a match made in heaven (or hell) and a perfect compliment sonically. The band's 9 song setlist got the mosh pit moving and crowd surfers flowing ahead of the main event that evening.

It may have been a Wednesday night , but you wouldn’t have known it based on the crowd’s energy leading up to Trivium’s 9:50 p.m. arrival. Pennsylvania showed once again why it has a reputation as one of the weirdest and yet strongest markets in the country for rock and metal. When the band’s massive stage slowly illuminated to reveal a dramatic backdrop, Trivium launched into their set with explosive force as strobes burst to blinding effects all around them. Trivium's 14 song set was a blistering pace of their greatest hits and new material that left little time for the band to chat with the crowd as they moved quickly from song to song.

Frontman Matt Heafy nearly blended into the elaborate backdrop thanks to a jacket patterned almost identically, but he was impossible to miss as he tore across the stage from mic to mic, shredding through one technical assault after another. Much like Jinjer’s opening performance, Trivium delivered a razor-sharp, 80-minute set that pulled from across their expansive catalog. From the first crushing riff to the final crack of the snare, they gave Lancaster everything they had — and the packed pit gave it right back.

Opening nights can often feel unpredictable, but Lancaster showed up ready, proving once again that this city doesn’t just attend shows — it sets the bar. If the rest of the “Ascend Above Ashes Tour” follows this lead, Trivium and Jinjer are in for one unforgettable run.

Trivium & Jinjer

Lancaster Convention Center - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

November 12, 2025

Taylor Acorn returns home to Pennsylvania at the Archer Music Hall

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 21:05:54 GMT

Taylor Acorn’s return to Pennsylvania to the Arrow at the Archer Music Hall in Allentown was a homecoming a long time coming after a massive year of touring and festival appearances.

Just a few weeks after performing at the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas - and fresh off wrapping The Summer School Tour - Taylor Acorn returned to Pennsylvania with clear momentum behind her. Touring in support of her newly released LP, she arrived at The Arrow at the Archer in Allentown with a setlist shaped around this new chapter of her sound. The fresh material wasn’t just sprinkled into the night; it was the thread that held the entire show together. And while Acorn hasn’t forgotten her roots in the pop-punk world, it’s obvious that these newer songs give her a wider lane to move in and let her shine bright onstage.

The Arrow itself proved to be an ideal setting. The room was full but comfortable, with that sweet spot where you can feel the crowd’s energy without fighting for space. Warm lighting and a clear sightline from almost anywhere in the venue helped create a sense of connection the moment Acorn stepped out. It didn’t take long for the entire place to settle into a rhythm—heads nodding, hands in the air, and plenty of voices shouting back the lines they knew.

Between songs, Acorn kept the energy light and the banter genuine. She shared quick stories, poked fun at herself, and made it clear she appreciated being back in her home state. Nothing dragged, nothing felt overly rehearsed—it all stayed grounded in the good-natured vibe that filled the room.

By the end of the night, The Arrow at the Archer felt less like a tour stop and more like a celebration of where Acorn is right now: an artist still rooted in the scene that raised her, but growing fast and sounding sharper than ever. The crowd felt it, the room carried it, and Acorn made sure everyone left buzzing.

A strong show, a great space, and the kind of night that makes you want to catch her again before the tour moves on.

Taylor Acorn

November 8, 2025

Kaleo bring the 'Mixed Emotions Tour' to from Iceland to Allentown

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 19:49:57 GMT

On September 16, 2025, Icelandic rockers KALEO brought their Mixed Emotions Tour to Allentown’s Archer Music Hall, with Quarters of Change and Júníus Meyvant on the bill.

Kaleo

Archer Music Hall

September 16, 2025

Stone Temple Pilots return to Pennsylvania to headline RockFest

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:02:25 GMT

Stone Temple Pilots’ return to Pennsylvania for RockFest was more than just another stop on tour as the band isn't on the road promoting a new album or anything particular at the moment making this one off show truly special. Their festival headline slot was a true celebration of a band that has not only endured but continues to thrive. After more than twenty years of music, their headline performance in Grantville showed that Stone Temple Pilots are still writing their best chapters.

When Jeff Gutt first stepped in as lead singer, fans were curious about how he would fill the shoes of such an iconic role of those who came before him. A few years and countless shows later, there’s no longer any question. Gutt has evolved into the frontman the band always seemed to be waiting for - powerful, confident, and endlessly engaging. His vocals are as sharp and reliable as ever, but his presence has grown into something magnetic. Whether pacing the stage with fiery energy or locking eyes with fans in the crowd, Gutt now owns every moment in the spotlight. It has reached a point where it is harder to imagine Stone Temple Pilots without Gutt versus any version prior to his arrival with the band.

As always, Robert and Dean DeLeo provided the backbone of STP’s unmistakable sound. Their tight musicianship and playful energy were the perfect counterbalance to Gutt’s intensity as he sprinted around the stage (and even jump off into the crowd at one point). The brothers looked like they were having just as much fun as the crowd, trading riffs, smiles, and moments of pure musical joy throughout the night. It was a reminder that their chemistry is the true heartbeat of this band, and it’s never sounded stronger.

The night was a journey through the full scope of Stone Temple Pilots’ career. Fans were treated to a perfect balance of old favorites, deeper cuts, and fresh material. “Big Bang Baby” was a standout moment of the set early on, soaring with Gutt’s vocals. Hearing the classics re-energized while newer songs slid in seamlessly made the set feel both nostalgic and fresh at the same time.

If this RockFest performance was any indication, Stone Temple Pilots are in the middle of an exciting new era. For long-time listeners and new fans alike, that means one thing: it’s time to get ready for more shows, more songs, and more unforgettable nights like this one. What is next for Stone Temple Pilots may be up in the air but one thing is for certain, they remain one of the tightest live bands in the genre.

RockFest

Hollywood Casino - Grantville, Pennsylvania

September 14, 2025

Phantogram take over Archer Music Hall in Allentown for a Mid-Week Party

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 19:46:36 GMT

Tito Double P lit up the stage with an electrifying, sold-out performance at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA. Fans packed the venue wall to wall, singing along to every word and dancing late into the night. The high-energy show marked a milestone moment for the rising star, solidifying his place as a powerhouse in the regional music scene.

Phantogram

Archer Music Hall

September 11, 2025

Volbeat, Halestorm & The Ghost Inside bring 'The Greatest of All Tours' to Camden

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 17:57:07 GMT

Some nights, live music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a shot of adrenaline straight to the chest. August 9th at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion was one of those nights, as The Ghost Inside, Halestorm, and Volbeat delivered three hours of catharsis, chaos, and pure rock muscle to a sold-out Camden crowd.

The Ghost Inside wasted zero time easing anyone in. They came out swinging with breakdowns that rattled ribcages and choruses that felt less like sing-alongs and more like war cries. Frontman Jonathan Vigil took a beat mid-set to talk about the band’s comeback after their horrific bus crash—a moment that dropped the temperature to goosebump level before the next riff lit the fuse again. Watching them was like watching a fighter go twelve rounds and still grin through the blood.

Halestorm followed with a masterclass in arena rock swagger. Lzzy Hale’s voice isn’t just powerful—it’s volcanic, equal parts precision and primal force. She could hit the high notes with a clarity that cut through the humid August air and still roar with enough grit to send shockwaves through the pit. The set was a perfect cocktail: the usual suspects like “I Miss the Misery” and “Freak Like Me,” plus fresh cuts from their new album Everest, which were greeted like instant anthems. The hometown love was undeniable—Philly-area fans roared like they’d been waiting all year for this, and the band returned the favor with a performance that felt as big as the sky over Camden.

Then came Volbeat, and any lingering doubt about who owned the night evaporated. Michael Poulsen has the charm of a lounge singer and the punch of a heavyweight fighter, and his band’s mash-up of groove metal, punk snarl, and rockabilly swing is still one of the most infectious things in modern rock. “Lola Montez” had the place bouncing, “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown” hit like a wrecking ball, and their take on Sabbath’s “Children of the Grave” landed like a love letter signed in distortion.

By the end, the place was a sweaty, smiling mess—proof that sometimes three bands with very different weapons can combine forces into a single, unforgettable assault. Camden may never be called “scenic” with a straight face, but on this night, under the stage lights and the ringing in our ears, it was damn near beautiful.

The Greatest of All Tours

Freedom Mortgage Pavilion - Camden, New Jersey

August 9, 2025

Summer of Loud Turns the Historic York Fair Into a Full-Throttle Metal Mayhem

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 16:32:42 GMT

There are few tours as dynamic on the road this summer as The Summer of Loud tour and somehow this pyro heavy mega tour made it's way to the most unlikely stop in Pennsylvania as it touched down at the 260th Historic York Fair - a country fair mainstay that is more likely to have some country twang than a dozen mosh pits and crowd surfers. As America’s oldest fair, dating back to 1765, the York Fair has hosted everything from tractor pulls to livestock shows to fried Oreos. But this year? It became a coliseum of breakdowns, blast beats, and crowd roars thanks to the Summer of Loud Festival.

The historic fairgrounds were transformed into a headbanger’s haven, echoing the legendary chaos of past Mayhem Fests. The rotating lineup of the tour was at full force, and for this stop, we were treated to Dark Divine, Alpha Wolf, The Devil Wears Prada, The Amity Affliction, I Prevail, Beartooth, Parkway Drive, and the mighty Killswitch Engage. Eight hours. No breaks. Just pure, relentless metalcore magic. However, for a festival of this magnitude, the York Fair security was absolutely not up to par. Fans were frequently dropped while crowd surfing, mosh pit safety was neglected, and response times to injured attendees were embarrassingly slow. Multiple crowd members complained about being shoved back into the pit after being pulled from it, visibly disoriented. It wasn’t just disappointing—it was dangerous. And some bands noticed… loudly.

Kicking off the mayhem was Dark Divine, a fast-rising force in the world of theatrical metalcore. With a sound that blends haunting melodies, crushing breakdowns, and a visual aesthetic straight from a horror flick, these guys turned heads early on. Frontman Anthony Martinez prowled the stage with purpose, backed by a tight, atmospheric set that included fan favorites like “Deadly Fun” and “Halloweentown.” For a band still on the rise, they played like seasoned vets—and set the tone for a day of pure chaos. Then came the Aussies in Alpha Wolf, and with them came an avalanche of sound. “Akudama” was a war cry that blew the roof off the barn—figuratively, of course. “Creep” was a brutal wall of noise that had the pit convulsing. Lochie Keogh looked like a man possessed, pacing the stage like he was ready to pounce. Their set was raw, hostile, and unforgettable.

The Devil Wears Prada hit the York stage with a blend of metalcore muscle and emotional weight. Mike Hranica’s intensity was unmatched—every scream felt like a release. Their tribute to the late Dave Shapiro was heartfelt and beautiful, a rare moment of quiet in an otherwise relentless set as Shapiro's legacy loomed large over this tour as the Summer of Loud was one of his final tours booked/announced currently. Next up The Amity Affliction brought their signature blend of melody and brutality to the crowd, and the audience was here for it. Joel Birch wasn't slowed down at all by his broken ankle and had a sea of fans belting out the lyrics during “Like Love,” and his screams during “Pittsburgh” could be heard all the way across the fairgrounds near the deep-fried candy stand. I Prevail hit the stage with a non stop burst of pyro with “Bow Down” and kept the firestorm rolling through “Hurricane.” Their tribute to Dave Shapiro and their now-iconic cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” brought big crowd reactions as did their comical country fair face paint that they all had done before hitting the stage. Their set was bombastic, emotional, and perfectly executed.

And then there was Beartooth. From the first scream, Caleb Shomo was a man on fire—but not just from the music. Throughout the entire set, he repeatedly called out security for dropping fans, ignoring crowd injuries, and failing to control the barricade area. “Do your job and catch people!” he shouted mid-song, his voice frustrated with anger and at a guard who clearly snarked back at him in the barricade. The security's short comings didn't prevent Shomo and Beartooth from delivering the best set of the day but it was certainly a frustrating undertone during their performance. Things got so tense that by the end of their set, crew members had to hold Caleb back as he stormed the edge of the stage, visibly furious about how fans were being handled. It was clear: this was more than just a show for him—it was a mission to protect his people. And while his performance was, as always, tight and passionate, it was the rage that left the biggest mark.

What better way to follow that intensity than with the godfathers of modern metalcore? Killswitch Engage were absolute professionals, blasting through “The End of Heartache” and “Holy Diver” with surgical precision. Jesse Leach remains a powerhouse of presence, spending as much time connecting with fans as he does belting out anthems. Finally, Parkway Drive lit up the York Fair like the 4th of July with the most theatrical, explosive set of the day. Winston McCall stalked the stage like a general in war, commanding the masses through “Glitch,” “Prey,” and “Crushed.” But the highlight? The spinning drum cage with pyrotechnics erupting like a volcanic finale. It wasn’t just a show—it was a spectacle. Parkway Drive are the kings of controlled chaos, and they reminded everyone why.

The 260th York Fair just got a new page in its long history—one written in sweat, distortion, and cathartic screams. While security needs a major overhaul before next year, the music, the passion, and the unity of the fans made this a day for the history books.

Let’s do it again next year—but maybe hire security that knows a mosh pit from a hay bale.

T he Summer of Loud Tour

York Fair - York, Pennsylvania

July 19, 2025

Jack's Mannequin return to Philadelphia for another SOLD OUT show

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 17:23:22 GMT

On June 8, Jack’s Mannequin swept into the Fillmore Philadelphia for the hometown stop of their Made For Each Other 20th-anniversary tour, turning the storied ballroom into a reunion between new Andrew McMahon fans from his solo era and the fans who grew up with his songs in Jack's Mannequin. A burst of lights and the band made their way to their places on set as the massive LED screens behind them flicked to life with the roar of the crowd—almost before the crowd could catch its breath—the band dove head-first into “Bruised,” instantly launching a full-room sing-along for the first time of the night. The family style sing-alongs would continue all night long because a Jack's Mannequin show is more than just a concert, it's a gathering of fans of all walks of life.

Rather than lean solely on radio favorites, McMahon built a career-spanning arc that kept veterans and newcomers guessing. Early standouts “The Mixed Tape” and “Amy, I” landed with arena-sized fervor, while deeper cuts like “Spinning,” “Television,” and the introspective “Cell Phone” offered welcome detours for die-hard listeners. Mid-show, the tempo dropped for a surprise, lights-down, almost-whispered rendition of “Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)”—performed nearly a cappella, save for a few plaintive piano chords. It was McMahon’s first time revisiting the lullaby in years, and the silence that followed its last note spoke louder than any applause.

The final stretch was a one-two-three knockout: “I’m Ready,” “The Resolution,” and the soaring “Dark Blue,” each chorus louder than the last. After a brief exit, the band returned beneath a single spotlight for the encore. McMahon tipped his cap to the tour’s namesake, easing into the gentle “Restless Dream” before the full ensemble erupted into the sprawling suite “MFEO: Pt. 1 — Made For Each Other / Pt. 2 — You Can Breathe,” turning the title track into a communal vow to keep moving forward together. Twenty years on, Andrew McMahon and company showed how to honor a past without getting trapped in it: by laughing at the room you’re in, risking a fragile ballad in the middle of the party, and playing every song like it still belongs to today.

Jack's Mannequin

The Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA

June 8, 2025

Shakira brings the 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour' to Atlanta

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 13:52:04 GMT

After a rocky start to her U.S. leg, with technical issues forcing the postponement of both the Washington, D.C. and Boston dates, Shakira delivered an electrifying, glitch-free performance in Atlanta that more than made up for the delays. The sold-out show at State Farm Arena proved why the Colombian superstar remains a force in global pop music: it was a spectacle of raw emotion, razor-sharp choreography, and dazzling stagecraft. Every moment felt polished and purposeful, yet deeply personal, a balance only a veteran performer like Shakira can pull off.

The night opened with La Fuerte, a powerful declaration of intent that set the tone: this tour is about resilience, evolution, and feminine power. With minimal delay, she launched into a fierce rendition of GIRL LIKE ME, originally with the Black Eyed Peas, injecting it with her signature moves and vocal style. The audience, many of whom were adorned with glittering wolf ears and flashing LED bracelets, responded instantly, roaring as she transitioned into a nostalgic medley of Las de la intuición and Estoy aquí. It was a clever juxtaposition—early-career Shakira meeting her modern self, both artists occupying the stage in harmony.

One of the most emotionally potent sequences came with Empire blending into Inevitable, where her vocals took on an operatic, almost volcanic intensity. The screen behind her exploded with elemental visuals—lava flows, crashing waves—mirroring the emotional crescendo on stage. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a catharsis. Later, Acróstico offered a softer moment, featuring a touching video of her children Sasha and Milan singing along, which visibly moved many in the crowd. You could hear a pin drop as Shakira sat on a stool, wiping away tears mid-performance.

In terms of showmanship, the middle of the setlist was where Shakira proved her mettle. Copa Vacía, La Bicicleta, and La Tortura formed a seamless trinity of reggaeton and cumbia-infused pop, each song melting into the next with smooth transitions and high-energy dance breaks. She momentarily disappeared backstage during Chantaje, only to reemerge in a vibrant new costume and launch into a salsa version of the hit that transformed the entire arena into a nightclub.

By the time she reached Whenever, Wherever, complete with a dramatic belly dance introduction using knives, Shakira had the entire arena in the palm of her hand. Her hips truly didn’t lie, and neither did the crowd, erupting into a thunderous sing-along. That energy spilled right into Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), which featured a thrilling Champeta breakdown and pulsating rhythms that was the infectious anthem of the 2010 World Cup.

Shakira left the stage like a mythic figure—part woman, part legend—having proven once again that she isn’t just a performer. She’s a storyteller, a mother, a rebel, and above all, a she-wolf with a story still very much in motion.

Shakira

State Farm Arena

June 2, 2025

The All-American Rejects kick off a new era at Parx Casino in Bensalem

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 16:44:03 GMT

On March 29, The All-American Rejects brought a whirlwind of nostalgia, energy, and surprise to the Xcite Center at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. With the crowd already buzzing, the band made their entrance to the iconic "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky, setting the tone for a night that would blend theatrical flair with heartfelt musicianship. Tyson Ritter and crew wasted no time launching into “Dirty Little Secret,” immediately turning the venue into a singalong haven for fans of all ages.

The evening’s setlist was a well-balanced mix of crowd favorites and deep cuts, keeping both longtime fans and newer listeners on their toes. From upbeat anthems like “Fallin’ Apart” and “Beekeeper’s Daughter” to early classics like “My Paper Heart,” the band showcased their full range. But one of the night’s most emotional moments came from an unexpected fan request: an acoustic, acapella performance of “Heartbeat Slowing Down.” Tyson delivered the first verse and chorus with just his voice and a dim spotlight—his first time performing the song live since 2013. The crowd, stunned into silence, erupted with cheers at the final note.

Throughout the show, Tyson Ritter kept the mood light with his signature irreverent humor. He poked fun at the convention center-style room, joking, about what other events were hosted in the room including a furry convention before launching into a riff about Parx Casino’s not-so-subtle encouragement to gamble. “They want you to leave this show... and immediately hit the slots. Don’t let them down!” he quipped, drawing laughs from every corner of the venue. That excitement rolled perfectly into a performance of their brand-new single “Sandbox,” which blended the band’s classic melodic hooks with a fresh, heavier indie-pop edge that had fans filming the moment for social media.

One particularly fun surprise came when Tyson improvised a short, comedic song inspired by fans in the front row called “Chrysanthemum.” The details of this moment will be left behind lock and key for anyone not at the concert but just know it was one of the most obscene moments of the set and was a perfect way for the band to launch into "Sweat" after the moment wrapped up.

The band also took time to acknowledge their recent appearance at Jonas Con, where they teased their upcoming role as special guests on the Jonas Brothers’ 20th Anniversary Summer Tour. As the show neared its finale, The All-American Rejects rolled out a trifecta of hits—“Swing, Swing,” “It Ends Tonight,” and “Move Along”—each met with raucous applause and heartfelt singalongs. The encore, naturally, closed with “Gives You Hell,” sending the audience out into the casino with their voices hoarse and spirits high. Fans could be heard raving as they exited, calling it “everything I could have hoped for” and praising both the band and the intimate, high-energy setting.

In the end, The All-American Rejects proved that they’re far from just a nostalgia act. With clever banter, emotional surprises, a killer setlist, and a brand-new single to boot, their performance at Parx Casino was a reminder that great bands don’t just survive the decades—they evolve, engage, and keep giving fans reasons to fall in love all over again.

The All-American Rejects

Parx Casino

March 29, 2025

Bishop Briggs hits Union Transfer for the "Tell Me Therapist I'm Fine" Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 15:54:39 GMT

Bishop Briggs brought an electrifying storm to Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on the second-to-last stop of her “Tell My Therapist I’m Fine” tour—and if the title wasn’t already dripping in irony, her explosive set made it perfectly clear. Kicking off with “My Serotonin,” she transformed the venue into a cathartic dance party-meets-emotional bootcamp. It felt less like a concert and more like cracking open someone’s diary set to a thunderous bassline.

From the jump, Briggs’ stage presence was nothing short of kinetic. She didn’t just command the stage—she treated it like an Olympic track, sprinting, leaping, and tearing across every corner without missing a note. During “Dark Side,” her energy swelled with the song’s intensity, delivering a performance that was equal parts spiritual purge and high-voltage rock ritual.

“Woman Is King” arrived like a crown drop. Her voice soared, the crowd erupted, and in that moment, the track became less of a song and more of a statement—powerful, fearless, and unapologetically loud. It was the kind of performance that made you want to run through a wall or at least buy a leather jacket. The new single generated one of the best reactions from the crowd all night long and Briggs flashed more than one of her signature smiles from on stage during the emotional performance of the new track.

Briggs didn’t just play a show—she led an emotional endurance test across 20 songs, and Philadelphia was more than willing to sweat it out with her from start to finish in this historic venue. If this was her version of therapy, then the rest of us were gladly booked in as co-patients.

Bishop Briggs

'The Tell My Therapist I'm Fine tour'

Union Transfer

March 27, 2025

Spencer Sutherland brings the "DRAMA" to Philadelphia at the Foundry

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 15:07:00 GMT

Spencer Sutherland lit up The Foundry in Philadelphia on March 20 with a headlining set that blended pop, soul, and showmanship in all the right ways. From the moment he hit the stage, his charisma was undeniable—commanding the crowd with powerful vocals and effortless swagger. Fans sang every word back to him, creating a room-wide chorus that felt more like a celebration than a concert. With emotional ballads, high-energy bangers, and a few unexpected twists, Sutherland proved he's not just riding momentum—he’s building a movement.

Spencer Sutherland

'The Drama Tour

The Foundry

March 20, 2025

Cloe Wilder swings through Philadelphia on the eve of EP Release

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 15:03:32 GMT

On March 20, an eager crowd packed into The Foundry in Philadelphia, buzzing with anticipation—not just for Spencer Sutherland’s headlining set, but for rising star Cloe Wilder, who opened the night with a performance that felt like she could have been the main event of the evening. With her new EP Life’s A Bitch set to drop just hours later, the energy in the room was unmistakably electric. Fans, some of whom had been waiting by the barricade since doors opened, knew they were witnessing something special—an artist on the cusp of a major breakthrough. The small stage made an intimate set even more so as there was little room for Wilder to make use of but she made sure to give the crowd as much love as she could (and toss them some shirts).

Wilder’s live vocals were nothing short of stunning: airy yet controlled, soft-spoken yet cutting through the venue like a well-thrown dagger. Her tone carried the emotional weight of every lyric, wrapping the room in an intimate haze that felt more like a confessional than a concert. One of the night’s standout moments came early, when she sat at the piano and made the stage her own, performing with the kind of poise that silenced even the loudest bar chatter—a rare feat at a packed club show in the Foundry. Her delivery was raw but polished, vulnerable without ever losing its edge and her confidence as a performer is well beyond her years.

She closed her set with "Cigarette," her newest single, lighting up the room not with actual smoke, but with a moody, sultry energy that lingered well after she stepped offstage. It was the perfect final note—smoldering, slow-burning, and cool in all the right ways. If Life’s A Bitch captures even a fraction of what she brought to The Foundry, Wilder won’t be opening for long—she’ll be headlining in no time.

Cloe Wilder

'The Drama Tour'

The Foundry

March 20, 2025

Tito Double P sells out Santander Arena on second date of the 'Ay Mamá Tour'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:11:52 GMT

Tito Double P

'Ay Mamá Tour'

Santander Arena

March 7, 2025

Skillet return to Reading, PA to headline the Winter Jam '25 Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 14:55:41 GMT

Skillet turned up the heat—literally—when they returned to Santander Arena as headliners on the Winter Jam Tour, armed with explosive pyro, a brand-new set, and a production upgrade that could’ve made a dragon blush. Fans were rocked by fresh fire with new tracks like "Unpopular", "Ash In The Wind", and the aptly named "Showtime." If their last visit was intense, this one cranked it to eleven—louder, brighter, and fully geared to melt faces.

Skillet

'Winter Jam 25'

Santander Arena

March 6, 2025

Judah and the Lion return to Philadelphia for outdoor show at Alt 104.5's Winter Jawn

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 14:57:46 GMT

Judah and the Lion braved the cold for an electrifying outdoor set at Alt 104.5’s Winter Jawn, turning a frigid January day into a full-blown celebration. Despite the chill, the crowd warmed up fast as the band tore through a mix of fan favorites and fresh tracks from their latest release. With their signature energy and heartfelt lyrics, they proved that even winter couldn’t freeze out a good time.

Judah and the Lion

'Alt 104.5 Winter Jawn'

Xfinity Live

January 25. 2025

Low Cut Connie ring in 2025 with intimate show at West Art Lancaster

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 14:51:51 GMT

Low Cut Connie tore up West Art in Lancaster on New Year’s Eve, proving once again that piano-driven rock ‘n’ roll was the perfect way to kiss 2024 goodbye. The night was packed with sweat, swagger, and a party so wild that resolutions didn’t stand a chance past midnight.

Low Cut Connie

'New Years Ever Show'

West Art - Lancaster, PA

December 31, 2024

Say Anything brings the 20th Anniversary of "Is A Real Boy" to Harrisburg

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sat, 16 Nov 2024 22:24:24 GMT

Harrisburg became a musical confessional as Say Anything rolled into town on their current tour celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their iconic album, ' Is a Real Boy .' From the moment Max Bemis sauntered onto the stage—equal parts ringleader and raconteur—the Harrisburg Midtown Art Center was brimming with a raw, unfiltered energy that threatened to crack the building’s foundations. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a communal exorcism wrapped in clever, sardonic lyrics and the bombast of a band that knows how to leave it all on the stage.

The show opened not with a bang but with a tease. Dim lights swirled over the crowd as the haunting opening chords of “Belt” crept into the room. Bemis strutted onto the stage like a grungy Shakespearean antihero, clutching his mic stand as if it were a scepter. His voice—still jagged and impassioned—tore through the iconic first line: "And, the show begins with a song of rebellion."

Max Bemis commanded the stage with an energy that felt almost paradoxical—half self-aware rock star, half self-deprecating poet. Between songs, he riffed on the absurdity of revisiting Is a Real Boy in 2024, joking about its youthful angst but simultaneously embracing it like an old friend. His voice, raw and imperfect, added an authenticity that perfectly suited the evening’s themes of insecurity, longing, and rebellion.

Highlights included a searing rendition of "Alive with the Glory of Love," which had couples clinging to each other and strangers bonding over the sheer force of nostalgia. The performance was equal parts theatrical and heartfelt—a reminder that Say Anything’s music lives in the messy spaces between irony and earnestness.

Despite his scattershot banter, Bemis’ vulnerability anchored the evening. Songs like “The Futile” and “I Want to Know Your Plans” felt like pages torn from a diary, raw and confessional. Bemis has always walked the line between poet and provocateur, and here he danced on that edge, charming the audience with his uncanny ability to make dysfunction feel universal.

Say Anything shows have always been as much about the crowd as the band. The show's audience was no exception, embodying the album’s themes of existential frustration and defiant joy. From the front-row diehards to the casual fans in the back, the energy was infectious. One highlight came during “Woe,” where Bemis handed the mic to a fan who belted the bridge with so much conviction you’d think they wrote it.

The show closed with "Admit It!!!," arguably the most blistering takedown of hipster culture ever written. Bemis delivered the song’s venomous tirade with a grin, and the crowd ate up every word. As the band exited the stage, Bemis lingered for a moment, looking out at the audience as if soaking in the last bits of shared energy. No frills—just a perfect, abrupt ending to a night that didn’t need embellishment.

Say Anything’s performance of Is a Real Boy in Harrisburg was a reminder of why this album remains a touchstone for so many. It’s not just the music, though that alone is impressive—it’s the way Bemis and company capture the messiness of being human. For a few hours, we weren’t just an audience; we were co-conspirators in an emotional heist.

So if this tour is coming to your city, don’t miss it. You’ll leave hoarse, sweaty, and maybe a little more in touch with the awkward, angry teenager you used to be—or still are. And really, isn’t that what rock and roll is all about?

Say Anything

'Is A Real Boy Tour'

Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center - Harrisburg, PA

November 9, 2024

Misterwives return to Philadelphia on 'Just For One Night! Tour'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 18:32:03 GMT

Misterwives returned to Philadelphia to kick off November as their current tour (and allegedly final for sometime) wraps the band through out the country. The ‘Just For One Night! Tour’ was announced in 2023 and with it came the news that while it wasn’t going to be goodbye forever - it was going to be goodbye for now as Mandy Lee and company reflected on spending the last 10 years of their lives on the road touring. This final tour was set to feature a fan voted setlist and tour the band through as many markets as possible, including Union Transfer in Philadelphia.

Hitting the stage just a few minutes past, Misterwives were greeted by an emotional and excited crowd erupted with cheers, welcoming the band back with open arms of Philadelphia for one more night. They dove into a career defining set, kicking off the night with “Organized Chaos,” off the recent re-release of ‘Nosebleeds.’ The band made the most of their time in Philadelphia as they ran through a 25-song setlist that mixed old favorites with fresh tracks from their latest release, building momentum through the night with singalongs to hits like "Our Own House" and a stunning cover of “Dancing On My Own.”

Despite admitting early on that she was fighting a cold, Mandy Lee remained lively on stage as she danced her way across the intimate stage all night long. Vocally she shined brightest on the first half of the set and despite having to get some help from the crowd towards the end still delivered an incredibly powerful vocal performance for someone as sick as she was. The band would go on to cancel their Baltimore show a few days later following Philadelphia as Lee was unable to recover after giving everything she had to the Philadelphia crowd that night.

While it may not be the largest venue they’ve played, Union Transfer proved to be the perfect setting for Misterwives' triumphant return to Philadelphia and their poetic farewell. It might be too late for your city at this point but missing this tour would be a massive mistake. For the past decade Misterwives have given their all not to the music industry but to their fans. The crowd at Union Transfer was full of faces that had come together more as a family to party again one more time than anything. Hopefully, goodbye isn’t forever and we can all dance again in Philadelphia soon - until then it really was ‘Just For One Night!’

Misterwives

'Just For One Night! Tour'

Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA

November 1, 2024

The Highly Suspect return to XL Live on the 'As Above, So Below' Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 14:50:09 GMT

Highly Suspect tore up XL Live in Harrisburg with their signature mix of gritty blues-rock and alt-metal, reminding everyone why they're at the forefront of modern rock. Frontman Johnny Stevens delivered his usual raw, emotional vocals, while the trio's heavy riffs and dark, introspective lyrics had the crowd in a hypnotic frenzy. With new hits like "Lydia" and "Plastic Boxes" shaking the intimate venue, the band's rebellious energy left no doubt that they're one of rock's most unapologetic forces.

Highly Suspect

'As Above, So Below Tour'

Xl Live - Harrisburg, PA

September 23 , 2024

Falling in Reverse bring the The Popular MonsTOUR II: World Domination to Scranton

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 11:12:13 GMT

Ronnie Radke and Falling in Reverse have dominated the rock and metal scene for the past decade and their summer tour with Dance Gavin Dance, Black Veil Brides, Tech N9ne and Jeris Johnson will go down as their biggest career milestone to date.

For the last decade, Falling in Reverse has been shaking up the metal scene like a snow globe in a tornado, building a massive, die-hard fanbase by constantly reinventing themselves. Go ahead, Google them or Ronnie Radke—you'll get lost in a maze of one sided opinions and false articles from “influencers” that totally miss the truth of the man and his band. Radke isn’t just a frontman; he’s a true modern day artist, and yeah, that is a lot for people to handle and it’s intensified a bit as he and Falling in Reverse have continued to build their empire. But while the internet’s busy nitpicking his wardrobe or ancient tweets, Radke’s out here doing something way more interesting: making art that asks the tough questions everyone else is too scared to touch. Sure, he’s taken some hits from critics, but the real fans? They see through the noise and stick around for the music that’s always been the heart of it all.

This summer Falling in Reverse hit the road on their biggest tour to date, playing their largest venues ever and gathering together and amazing supporting cast on. “The Popular MonsTOUR II: World Domination.” The tour wrapped it’s way through Scranton, Pennsylvania for a show at the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain and saw Falling in Reverse joined by Dance Gavin Dance, Black Veil Brides, Tech N9ne and Jeris Johnson.

Thanks to their fiercely loyal following, Falling in Reverse has been riding wave after wave of success, each new version of the band somehow bigger than the last. They’ve flipped the script on metal with everything from rap-infused bangers to country cross overs with Jelly Roll for a steady stream of chart-topping singles over the past few years. Their latest drop, “All My Life," has been tearing up Spotify playlists, dominating SiriusXM, and even charted on a few country charts thanks to the feature from Jelly Roll.

When Falling in Reverse hit the stage at 9:10 PM, the crowd went absolutely feral, screaming "Ronnie, Ronnie!" as the lights exploded all around them. The massive amphitheater had already been pushed to a near fever pitch following the back to back rapid sets from the supporting cast of Dance Gavin Dance, Black Veil Brides, Tech N9ne and Jeris Johnson. The energy was so wild, crowd surfers were already flying over the barricade before the band even hit the stage. And when he finally did, launching into “Prequel,” you knew this night was gonna be legendary. Fans who hadn’t been in a mosh pit for two years threw themselves back in like the band was performing at the venue on the 2012 Vans Warped Tour.

Falling in Reverse tore through a setlist that spanned their entire career, but focused heavily on their newer songs from the recently released “Popular Monster” full album. Radke might be the ringmaster of this circus, but he’s got one hell of a band backing him up. Together, they took those 14 songs and twisted them into something even more intense, creating a show that was both seamless and unpredictable. Chaos is the brand when it comes to Falling in Reverse and the band has risen to the top of the genre since their debut.

They’ve conquered the clubs, they’ve dominated the mid-size Arenas, now they’ve sold out massive Amphitheaters - look out 2025, Ronnie Radke and Falling in Reverse might just be coming for you with a stadium tour.

Avril Lavigne brings the 'Greatest HIts Tour' and so much more to Camden for a SOLD OUT show

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 16:42:31 GMT

It may. be 2024 but Avril Lavigne is taking fans all the way back to 2004 with her 'Greatest Hits Tour' this summer as she tours across North America with all the hits and countless sold out shows including her recent stop in Camden, NJ.

On a night that was quite literally 20 years in the making, Avril Lavigne’s return to the greater Philadelphia area fell on one of the nicest nights of the summer so far and she was greeted by a sold out Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. The atmosphere of the amphitheater was like stepping back in time to the "Warped Tour" era as fans wore Avril shirts of all eras ready to great the pop-punk queen when she arrived later that night. The vibes were good, the weather was perfect and the fans ranged from the "old guard" who grew up Avril Lavigne on their walkmans and the new generation of fans who have found her thanks to collabs with MGK and All Time Low. Regardless of their age or when they found the music, the crowd was ready to Lavigne to deliver a setlist packed with her most iconic tracks, proving once again why she remains a powerhouse in the music world.

The evening kicked off with a back to back run of tracks that included Lavigne's massive hits "Girlfriends" and "What The Hell." It was clear from just a hand full of songs that Lavigne's performance would focus on her flawlessly vocal delivery of her songs and rely less on crazy stage antics that so many of peers rely on to mask their vocal struggle. Recently, some have been critical of Lavigne's stage presence but across the 17 song set she brought to Camden it was hard to see anything that was worthy of the criticism levied against here. From start to finish Lavigne belted out the lyrics whether it was a ballad or pop punk smasher of a song - one early highlight came during "Here's to Never Growing Up," The crowd, a sea of fans both old and new, sang along to every word, a testament to the enduring appeal of Lavigne’s music.

A standout moment of the concert was when Lavigne launched into "Bite Me," a track that showcases her unapologetic attitude and fierce independence. The song, newer but no less impactful, blended seamlessly with her earlier hits, reminding everyone that Lavigne’s music continues to evolve while staying true to her pop punk roots. It would be easy to say that Avril Lavigne has come back to take her throne over pop punk but it's even safer to say that she never left based on the massive success of this summer tour.

The night took an unexpected and thrilling turn when Simple Plan joined Lavigne on stage for a fan favorite performance of "Addicted." The collaboration was a perfect blend of their shared musical heritage, and the chemistry between the artists was undeniable. To no really surprise fans were ecastic about this addition as Simple Plan put on a killer set earlier in the night supporting Lavigne.

Avril Lavigne’s stop at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion was more than just a concert; it was a celebration of her incredible career and the songs that have soundtracked the lives of millions. As the sold out crowd left the venue and made their way out into the night, it was clear that Lavigne’s legacy is not just intact but thriving, with her 'Greatest Hits Tour' serving as a reminder to all that she still is the "motherf*ckin' princess."

Steel Panther go 'On The Prowl' at XL Live in Harrisburg

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 21:47:12 GMT

Over the past two decades Steel Panther have made a name for themselves in the rock n' roll world as the band that is not just a band; they're a unique blend of musical talent and sharp-witted comedy at the expense of an entire generation of rock music.

The band's live performances exist well outside of the typical concert experience, Steel Panther hold true to their promise and deliver an exhilarating mix of heavy metal but mixed both lyrically and performance wise into a true comedy show. Don’t be misled by their humorous and sometimes provocative lyrics—these musicians are exceptionally skilled, arguably even more so than the 80s rock icons they parody with their larger-than-life stage personas.

The band brought their On The Prowl to XL Live for a stop in Harrisburg to end the summer touring season and in to no surprise it was a 13 song setlist of hilarity. The crowd was strong, for a Tuesday night you could squint and be mistaken that it was a Friday night in 1983 as fishnets, hairspray and Miller Lite were visible everywhere in the crowd. Just passed 9PM the house lights dimmed and the band's intro track, "Sailing," filled the venue. As the final notes of the iconic Christopher Cross song faded, the amps roared to life, and Steel Panther sprinted across the intimate stage before kicking off unforgettable nights of heavy metal with "Goin' in the Backdoor."

After the opening tracks, the band took a moment to introduce themselves to the audience in a way only Steel Panther can—hilarious, over-the-top, and utterly entertaining. While most bands might breeze through introductions, Steel Panther’s extended and comedic presentations of lead singer Michael Starr, guitarist Satchel, bassist Spyder, and drummer Stix Zadinia were so engaging that the audience was more than happy for them to continue.

The rest of the evening followed a delightful pattern: a few songs, some witty banter, a bit of audience interaction (including inviting some enthusiastic fans on stage), and of course, a few light-hearted jabs at concert-goers, especially those in the front row. The real roast victims of the night were members of the real band that came in the era of music Steel Panther captures with their music - it was a tough night to be fans of Rick Allen or Vince Neil without spoiling any punchlines.

If you’re easily offended by sexist jokes, 80s stereotypes, or simply don’t enjoy a good laugh, Steel Panther might not be for you - BUT for anyone who loves having a great time and wants to experience the wild energy of an 80s glam metal show, grabbing tickets for a date on the 'On The Prowl Tour' is a must. And remember, as Steel Panther would say: Death to ALL but Metal!

The Struts return to the Fillmore in Philadelphia on the 'Pretty Vicious Tour'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 15:35:13 GMT

The Struts made a triumphant return to Pennsylvania on their tour with Barns Courtney that saw the band headline a proper SOLD OUT show at the Fillmore in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania has become second home for The Struts over the years, who have been rocking the state since their early days. Their return to the state also fell on Pierre from WMMR's Birthday and they took the time out of their day ahead of the show to hit the studio for a special birthday surprise for him. Over the years the band has played everywhere from festivals like Made in America to radio-sponsored shows with ALT 104.5 in Philly, a free concert in Downtown Reading, and, of course, multiple performances at XL Live in Harrisburg. Though they've often been compared to other bands, the most fitting word to describe The Struts is "revolutionary."

The Struts lit up Philadelphia’s Fillmore with a 20-song set that took fans on a wild ride through their entire discography—packing in all the hits we’ve come to expect, plus a few deep cuts that were an absolute treat. From the very first chord, the sold-out crowd was hooked, and as the night wore on, the venue only got hotter—literally and figuratively. But The Struts didn't miss a beat, keeping everyone dancing through the heat with an electrifying performance. Highlights? Oh, there were plenty—“Dirty Sexy Money,” “Wild Child,” and “In Love With a Camera” were nothing short of showstoppers.

Luke Spiller, always a charismatic frontman, was on fire this tour—his energy levels were off the charts, and he had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. Between his soaring vocals and masterful crowd work, it’s no wonder this Philadelphia show will go down as one of The Struts’ best performances in the City of Brotherly Love.

The night reached its peak with an explosive rendition of “Could Have Been Me,” sending the crowd into a frenzy. And, true to form, Spiller left us all with a final reminder, shouting, “Thank you!” a million times over as the lights dimmed and fans spilled out into the Philly night, still buzzing from the high-energy show.

The Fillmore once again proved it’s a cornerstone for live music in Philadelphia, with The Struts raising the bar for all the shows to follow. If you missed it, don’t make the same mistake again—be sure to keep an eye on their calendar for upcoming shows, and grab your tickets before they’re gone!

Shinedown bring their 'US Summer Festival Tour' to Bethlehem in Pennsylvania

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 17:34:20 GMT

Since 2021 Shinedown has been a m ainstay on the touring circuit and along the way has continued to make history with numerous singles from their 'Planet Zero' LP catapulting the band to historic new career highs.

Shinedown's return to Musikfest was both the first show to sell out on the line up this year and came as no surprise as the band hasn't skipped Eastern Pennsylvania on any of their recent tours, likely due to their large following in the area. In the days going into the event the band achieved yet another career milestone as “A Symptom of Being Human,” became the first song by a band or solo artist to chart in the Top 10 on three major Mediabase charts: Active Rock, Alternative, and AC. Across their storied career Shinedown has achieved a record setting 23 chart-topping songs and holds Mediabase records for most Active Rock No. #1s, Top 5s and Top 10s.

The band's return to the road this summer sees them touring at the end of the album cycle for 'Planet Zero' and diving back into some old fan favorites for their festival season setlists. Shinedown had a delayed arrival to the stage in Bethlehem due to the heavy rain and thunderstorms leading up to the start of their set. However, the skies cleared slightly and the band was able to give the Pennsylvania crowd a full performance. As the stage came to life and old timey welcome video kicked the night off slowly before the band dove head first into one of the heaviest setlists they've put together in recent years as they started things fof with a pyro filled performance of "Devil."

Shinedown ignited the stage with an 16-song set that had the massive crowd on their feet, singing at the top of their lungs. It's no wonder they've solidified their status as one of the most influential rock bands of the century. Their artistry and deep connection with fans elevate their music and transform their live performances into something truly unforgettable. At this point in their career, Shinedown has reached a "Springsteen" level, where even some of their most popular tracks can't make the setlist due to their ever-expanding catalog of hits. Yet, the band does their best to satisfy all corners of their fanbase, blending beloved favorites with stellar deep cuts.

With "Planet Zero" now part of their legacy, Shinedown continues to carve out their place in the history of not just rock, but contemporary music as a whole. With every new single, they push further ahead, placing themselves in a league of their own. Shinedown has more than earned the title of "best rock band of all time," and they show no signs of slowing down as they enter one of they wrap up one of the strongest album cycles of their career. Though the band hasn't confirmed anything yet history shows that the band will likely end up back in the studio soon enough to start the next chapter of their music legacy.

Jelly Roll makes Canadian & International Debut at the Meridian Centre

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 16:34:02 GMT

Jelly Roll's first ever concert in Canada at the Meridian Centre marked a significant milestone in his career as booking international shows has proved almost impossible for the artist due to his prior convictions. His successful debut in Canada is a testament to the evolving landscape of music and politics has Jelly Roll continues to redefine his legacy within the industry.

Jelly Roll

'First Canadian Show'

Meridian Centre, Canada

July 9, 2024

Bleachers go 'From the Studio to the Stage' at the Anthem in Washington, DC

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 16:44:11 GMT

Jack Antonoff and his band Bleachers delivered an electrifying performance at the sold-out Anthem in Washington, D.C., captivating fans with their infectious energy and heartfelt lyrics. The state of the art venue was packed with Bleachers who were eager to be some of the last fans to experience the “From the Studio to the Stage Tour’. From the moment Antonoff took the stage, the crowd was entranced by his charismatic presence and powerful vocals. The setlist was a well-curated mix of hits from their albums, including fan favorites like “I Wanna Get Better” and “Don’t Take the Money,” as well as new tracks that showcased the band’s evolving sound. The Anthem’s state-of-the-art acoustics and lighting enhanced the concert experience, creating an unforgettable evening for everyone in attendance.

Antonoff’s performance was not just a display of musical prowess but also an emotional journey that resonated deeply with the audience. His candid storytelling between songs provided a glimpse into the personal experiences that inspire his music and his love for the northeast was focused on numerous times. Hailing from just up the high in New Jersey, Antonoff and Bleachers are no strangers to the DC area and did many gigs in the area while coming up with the band, The band’s dynamic instrumentation, featuring soaring guitars, robust drums, and Antonoff’s signature synths, created a rich and immersive soundscape.

The night’s biggest highlight was surprise acoustic set from Antonoff as the band drank behind him on stage. During this time he ran through “All My Heroes,” “45” and “91” solo with only the crowd to back him up. By the end of the show, it was clear that Bleachers had left everything on the stage, reaffirming Jack Antonoff’s status as one of the most compelling and influential artists in the contemporary music scene of this century.

B leachers

'From The Studio to the Stage Tour'

The Anthem - Washington, DC

June 14, 2024

All Time Low make history with SOLD OUT show at Red Rocks Amphitheater

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 17:46:12 GMT

All Time Low put on an all-time show at their return to Red Rocks Amphitheater last night. At one of the world’s most legendary venues, the band rose to the occasion and delivered the goods in the form of a massive 35-song set for the finale of the first leg of this tour. The moniker for the band’s current run is “All Time Low Forever.” Last night was one of those gigs that fans, and the band for sure, will never forget.

Beauty School Dropout kicked off the evening’s festivities. Despite playing in the delight, they delivered a fantastic 8-song set. Fans were surprised when Royal & The Serpent took the stage to join the band for “Starphucker.” The Los Angeles trio are one of the fastest-rising groups out there, and need to be on any rock and alternative fan’s radar.

All Time Low took the stage with an electric energy that immediately captivated the capacity crowd. The natural acoustics of the iconic venue amplified the evening’s emotional intensity. Opening with their hit anthem “Tell Me I’m Alive,” they set the tone for an unforgettable night. The backdrop of the red rocks against the band’s fantastic lighting created a visually stunning atmosphere that perfectly complemented their high-octane performance.

During the set, the band headed over to a second stage to treat fans to an intimate acoustic set. They performed beautiful renditions of hits like “Glitter & Crimson,” “Missing You,” “Therapy,” and others. The unique moment was one of the many highlights of the evening.

Additionally, Royal & The Serpent returned to the stage to join All Time Low for “PMA.”

After seemingly playing an endless amount of songs, All Time Low returned to the stage for an encore of not just one song – but four. They started with “Calm Down” and “Modern Love,” then tossed in a cover of Celine Dion’s monster hit, “My Heart Will Go On.” Even though the crowd still wanted more, they wrapped things up with their seminal hit, “Dear Maria, Count Me In.”

All Time Low

'All Time Low Forever Tour'

Red Rocks Amphitheater - Denver , Colorado

June 4, 2024

Sum 41 bring 'Final Tour' to the Santander Arena in Reading

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 23 May 2024 17:55:17 GMT

Sum 41's final tour has been nothing short of epic, and their recent stop in Reading, PA at the Santander Arena was a night to remember. The band rocked the stage with their classic hits, bringing a wave of nostalgia to longtime fans. It was a bittersweet celebration, filled with high-energy performances and heartfelt moments, making it clear that Sum 41's legacy will live on long after their final show.

S um 41

' The Final Tour'

Reading, Pe nnsylvania

May 8, 2024

Judas Priest return to Reading, PA for Triumphant SOLD OUT Show

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:27:22 GMT

Judas Priest delivered a high-energy performance at the Santander Arena on April 21, captivating the audience with their signature heavy metal sound. The band's return to Reading, PA was their biggest today as they were welcome backed by a SOLD OUT crowd in the downtown venue.

Judas Priest

'Invincible Shield Tour'

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

March 21, 2024

The Strumbellas kick off 'Part Time Believer Tour' at the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 17:12:38 GMT

The Strumbellas, a Canadian indie rock band that burst onto the scene with their first major US hit "Spirits", are back on the road in 2024 and the band kicked off their highly anticipated tour this week at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. While the band is currently on the road supporting their new album release. their original single that captured American airwaves has started to see a rise in popularity again as the song as become a heavily used TikTok sound in the past few months. The non traditional venue of World Cafe Life made for an intimate setting for this tour kick off concert and the room was nearly at capacity well ahead of the band's arrival on stage after 9PM. The vibes within the venue were immaculate as fans chatted about how excited they were to be at the first date of this tour and a line snaked from the merch stand well onto the venue floor prior to the start of the show.

As the lights on the oddly shaped stage burst to life and the band appeared the crowd roared with anticipation as The Strumbellas were finally back in the United States. The band wasted no time in captivating the audience from the very song and ran through a 19 song setlist that featured a wide variety of music from the band's storied discography with the back half of the set being packed full of crowd pleasers like "Salvation" and "Spirits." Some of the night's biggest moments in highlights came earlier in the set as the band focused on some of the new material much to the approval of the Philadelphia crowd.

From the infectious rhythms of "Hold Me" to the haunting chorus of "Steal My Soul," each song from the band's newest album "Part Time Believer" was a show stopper and made for some of the strongest highlights of the night performance. Whether a song from 2024 or a song from much earlier in the band's career the crowd remained engaged constantly through the band's 90 minute set at World Cafe Live. From a technical standpoint the performance was truly flawless with each member of the band getting their moments to shine both in solo moments and with their dramatic stage lighting around.

While it may not be the biggest tour of their career, it is easily one of the most important as the band has rediscovered their roots with their new album and are poised to have a song of the summer with lead single "Hold Me." The energy in World Cafe Live for the return of The Strumbellas to the United States was unmatched and this coupled with it being a tour kick off made for an even more memorable night in Philadelphia. The band, their fans, and the music captured something beautiful on a Thursday night in the city and the bar has been set high for the remainder of the "Part Time Believer" US Tour - don't miss it, because who knows when this energy will be captured again.

The Strumbellas

'Part Time Believer Tour

World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA

April 5, 2024

Lil Wayne brings legendary SOLD OUT show to Santander Arena

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 16:49:15 GMT

Lil Wayne is the latest artist to make history at Santander Arena in Reading, PA as he came marked the most recent show to sell out the venue this year. Wayne effortlessly commanded the stage, delivering each song with an unmatched energy that had the audience on their feet from start to finish across a setlist of hits, deep cuts and a few surprises for the crowd.

Lil Wayne

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

March 30, 2024

REO Speedwagon turn back time with massive show at the Santander Arena

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 16:19:46 GMT

REO Speedwagon's performance at the Santander Arena was a high-octane journey through decades of hits, showcasing their enduring talent and undeniable stage presence. From the infectious hooks of "Can't Fight This Feeling" to the anthemic chorus of "Keep On Loving You," the band had the audience singing and dancing all night long.

REO Speedwagon

'2024 Tour'

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

March 20, 2024

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band and Ally Venable bring the blues to town for 'one night only'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:20:40 GMT

Kenny Wayne Shepherd recently brought his blues-rock virtuoso talent to the Santander Performing Arts Center for a show with his band and special guest Ally Venable. Shepherd continues to carry the torch for this timeless genre into the 21st century and packed the historic venue with his weeknight performance on the "Dirt on My Diamonds Tour."

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

'Dirt on My Diamonds Tour'

Santander Performing Arts Center - Reading, PA

March 13, 2024

Dropkick Murphys hit the road and bring 'St. Patricks Day Tour' back to Lancaster

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 16:08:36 GMT

The Dropkick Murphys have hit the road once again in 2024 to defend their place on the throne at the top of the contemporary punk scene that they've owned for the past decade. This February and March the band hit the road again for their now annual 'St. Patrick’s Tour' that saw them to return to Lancaster at the Freedom Hall Convention Center. The Dropkick Murphys’ don’t shy away from their Irish influence and this March the band sold out nearly every venue it played as fans looked to get out of the house for a few pints and a mosh pit.

The 2024 brought the band back to Lancaster, PA for this tour and the return to Freedom Hall’s spanning expanse of a floor allowed for over 4,500 fans to sell the space out – possibly one of the biggest shows the venue has ever hosted since reopening following the pandemic.

Across a massive setlist that spanned well over 20 songs the Dropkick Murphys never gave the crowd a second to rest of crowd surfers flowed over the barricade from the first chords of “For Boston”at the beginning of the set until the last note of the band’s encore with "Shipping Up To Boston." Mosh pits were a plenty as Ken Casey spent almost the entire set hanging on the crowd off a small thrust that was built specifically for him and the band to get closer to the massive crowd in Lancaster.

Performance wise the band has never been in tighter form and while that may not hold true to the core of the old punk era in terms of a live show it made for one memorable night. On a technical basis alone an argument can be made that Casey has never been in finer form than since he's taken over fully on the vocal front and his smile has never been more noticeable through out the night. Dropkick Murphys have had a tremendous amount of staying power over the years and it is clear a lot of it comes from their touring. There are few bands with a heavy, distinct sound such as their’s and even fewer that can perform it so well live – and not just for the “popular” songs that all the fans will know. Sure, “Rose Tattoo” and “The Boys Are Back” were great moments in the set but the show truly shined when the band was digging deeper in their career and the crowd was just as excited as they were for the songs being performed.

Dropkick Murphys

'2024 St. Patricks Day Tour'

Freedom Hall - Lancaster, PA

March 5, 2024

Don Omar kicks off 'Back to Reggaeton Tour' with SOLD OUT show in Reading, PA

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 17:17:44 GMT

On a massive night at the Santander Arena, Don Omar made history with his tour kickoff of his highly anticipated 'Back to Reggaeton Tour'. The tour kick off marked another milestone sold out show for the Santander Arena in Reading, PA as the venue has become a "must play" for Latin touring artists.

D on Omar

Back to Regga e ton Tour

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

March 7, 2024

Jack Antonoff of Bleachers performs a private show for ALT 104.5 Philadelphia

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:10:48 GMT

Jack Antonoff, the Grammy winning creative mastermind behind Bleachers and some of the biggest album releases in years, brought a strip down performance to REC Philly for ALT 104.5, treating lucky attendees to an intimate performance ahead of the band's self titled album release that week.

As the frontman of Bleachers, Antonoff is renowned for his captivating stage presence and his ability to craft anthemic, emotionally charged songs that resonate deeply with audiences. His performance at Rec Philly was no exception, as he effortlessly commanded the stage, captivating the audience with his raw talent and infectious enthusiasm.

Against the backdrop of Rec Philly's dynamic and intimate atmosphere, Antonoff single handely delivered a short setlist packed with fan favorites and some of the material off the recently released self titled album. From the soaring melodies of "I Wanna Get Better" at the of the set to the introspective lyrics of "Modern Girl," each song was performed with a beautifully stripped down approach as Jack Antonoff played solo with just one acoustic guitar and filled the space with sound. With his trademark wit and charm, Antonoff bantered with the crowd between songs, sharing anecdotes and insights into his creative process on the album, and in a way made everyone feel like they were seeing behind the curtain of the creative process a little bit and hearing the songs he was performing as they were written.

For fans of Bleachers and ALT 104.5 alike, Jack Antonoff's private show at REC Philly was an unforgettable experience, a rare opportunity to witness one of music's most talented artists up close and personal.

Jack Antonoff of Bleachers

'Alt 104.5 Private Show'

REC Philly - Philadelphia, PA

March 4, 2024

John 5 shreds the stage at Mickey's Black Box in Lititz on '2024 Solo Tour'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 20:33:47 GMT

John 5 started of his 2024 touring season with a bang as he brought his solo tour to the Rock Lititz campus for an intimate show at the state of the art Mickey's Black Box. While John 5 has a busy tour schedule ahead of him with his new role with Motley Crue later this year he still has found time in his busy schedule to bring his solo show back on the road for his fans. As the lights dimmed and the anticipation swelled in the air, Mickey's Black Box was transformed into a haven for guitar enthusiasts and music aficionados alike. John 5, the virtuoso guitarist known for his unparalleled skills and dynamic performances, graced the stage with an electrifying presence that left the audience in awe.

From the moment John 5 stepped onto the stage, his energy was palpable, and it was clear that the crowd was in for an unforgettable night. With his signature blend of metal, rock, and blues, he effortlessly navigated through a diverse repertoire that showcased his versatility as a musician.

One of the most striking aspects of John 5's performance was his technical prowess. His fingers danced across the fretboard with lightning speed, executing complex riffs and blistering solos with precision and finesse. Whether he was shredding through a metal anthem or delicately crafting a soulful melody, his mastery of the guitar was nothing short of breathtaking.

But beyond his technical abilities, John 5 also proved to be a captivating showman. His stage presence was magnetic, drawing the audience in with every movement and gesture. With his infectious energy and charismatic personality, he effortlessly commanded the attention of everyone in the venue, creating an intimate connection that transcended the boundaries between performer and audience. Whether it was his solo material, Motley Crue covers, or suggestions shouted out from the crowd John 5 left the crowd speechless with each flawless solo.

As the night drew to a close and the final notes faded into the air, it was clear that John 5's concert at Mickey's Black Box would be remembered as a truly unforgettable experience. With his unparalleled skill, magnetic stage presence, and undeniable passion for music, he proved once again why he is one of the most revered guitarists of his generation.

John 5

'2024 Solo Tour'

Mickey's Black Box - Lititz, PA

February 13, 2024

The Maine return to Philadelphia for the Alt 104.5 Winter Jawn

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:19:54 GMT

Philadelphia's favorite outdoor winter concert returned again in 2024 as Alt 104.5 hosted another 'Winter Jawn' concert at Xfinity Live that featured a headline performance from The Maine. The packed outdoor stage area was nearly full to capacity by the time they were due on stage and the crowd buzzed with excitement as fans eagerly awaited The Maine's performance, one of the most anticipated acts of the day. Despite the chilly winter air, the atmosphere was electric as the band took the stage, greeted by cheers and applause echoing throughout the venue.The band is no stranger to the stage at Xfinity Live as they played here at previous Alt 104.5 event in the summer of 2022,. Though 'Winter Jawn' is a winter event the weather didn't feel like it as Philadelphia was treated to temperatures in the high 50's for the warmest day of the year so far.

With a burst of energy, The Maine kicked off their set with the infectious rhythm of "dose no. 2," instantly captivating the audience with their signature blend of rock and pop punk. Lead singer John O'Callaghan's charismatic stage presence was magnetic as he engaged the crowd, his soulful voice resonating through the crisp and warm winter air.

As the band launched into fan favorites like "Black Butterflies & Deja Vu" and "Sticky," that saw O'Callaghan jump off the stage and head out in the crowd to sing with the people of Philadelphia. Guitarists Jared Monaco and Kennedy Brock delivered blistering riffs, while bassist Garrett Nickelsen and drummer Pat Kirch held down the rhythm with precision and flair.

In between songs, O'Callaghan took a moment to express gratitude to the fans of Philadelphia, thanking them for their continued support over the years as well as all the support of Alt 104.5 for their music since their humble beginnings playing outside of the Trocadero on a show. He was also quick to point out that the city was the crowd surfing capital of the world for them and he wasn't wrong as surfers came across the barrier all set long even in between songs.

As the final chords faded away, the crowd erupted into applause, showering The Maine with adoration and appreciation. The band took their bows, soaking in the moment before bidding farewell to their fans with promises to return this summer for another show in Philadelphia. Few events have the energy that Alt 104.5's 'Winter Jawn' offers and this year was no exception as The Maine delivered one of the most remarkable headline sets the free show as ever had.

T he Maine

' Alt 104.5 Winter Jawn'

Xfinity Live - Philadelphia, PA

February 10, 2024

Beartooth kick off 2024 with 'SOLD OUT' North American Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:59:49 GMT

Beartooth's rise to the tops of the charts and domination of the contemporary metal scene hasn't been an overnight success but with the release "The Surfarce' the band showcased the talent their fans always knew they had. Caleb Shomo and company have long been known as some of the hardest working musicians in 2024 and their hustle has paid off as the band has hit the road for a sold out tour across North America to kick off their 2024 touring cycle.

Beartooth was joined on this 2024 headline tour by a stellar supporting cast of artists that included the rising stars Sleep Theory, scene mainstays Invent Animate and the incredible powerhouse that is the Plot in You. Doors for the Philadelphia show opened promptly at 6PM and the venue quickly filled up to near capacity well ahead of Sleep Theory’s performance that kicked the night off. This tour had one of the strongest groupings of support artists that has hit the road in awhile and it showed as a quick glance of the crowd during each set revealed a good bit of merchandise from all the band’s on the bill. Sleep Theory were the quiet favorite of the crowd and while many people may have not have heard of them before the show they certainly went home fans of the band. One of their singles has been in heavy rotation on WMMR locally in addition to multiple Beartooth tracks so it will be interesting to see what their crowd looks like when they return to the area.

The Plot in You also turned up in a big way for their Philadelphia fans with a brutal heavy set that had the most crowd interaction and movement before Beartooth hit the stage. Security was treated to a solid work out as crowd surfers began flowing over the barricade on the first song and remained active until the very last chord of the set rang out.

After multiple hours of stellar opening sets it was time at last for the main event in Philadelphia - Beartooth. The stage was set, LED screens were tested, CO2 cannons checked, and confetti loaded and after about a 30 minute set change the time had come as the stage dimmed to black. The crowd went wild as Caleb Shomo emerged from the shadows and beamed brightly in a glowing spotlight. He taunted the crowd for a second before he sprinted across the stage and kicked off the night with a heavy hitting performance of “Sunshine!” that included an insane amount of crowd vocals, confetti and the first crowd surfers of the night. Beartooth have quickly emerged as a powerhouse on stage and the 2024 furthered this as they’ve never been more fun to watch and Shomo has never been happier up there doing what he loves most.

Song after song in their 16 song setlist showcased how far the band has come artistically from their first album. The sold out crowd in the Franklin Music Hall was ravenous all set long and often sang so loudly it overwhelmed the sound system towards the back of the crowded venue. Beartooth have never been bigger and Shomo has never shined brighter as the frontman of the band. ‘The Surface’ launched the band into new levels with their radio airtime and artistically it has been their most impactful yet as Shomo dove into deeply personal subjects across the entire album.

2024 may have just begun for Beartooth but it is a safe assumption to state that they are only headed up from their sold out show in Philadelphia at Franklin Music Hall - it’s time for Beartooth to enter the next chapter of the live career and step into arenas. They deserve it, their show is ready for it and their fans are ready to help take them there.

B eartooth

with The Plot In You, Invent Animate, Sleep Theory

"2024 North American Tour"

Franklin Music Hall - Philadelphia, PA

January 23, 2024

August Burns Red end 2023 "at home" in Lancaster, PA for 'Christmas Burns Red'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 18:28:08 GMT

From Lancaster, Pennsylvania to the touring world at large - August Burns Red has come a long way from their local scene roots just outside of "Amish Country" but the metal band has not forgotten their early beginnings as they return home every year for two incredible nights of performances at the Freedom Hall Convention Center with tons of special guests.

This year the band was on the road celebrating the anniversary of 'Rescue & Restore' with a powerful set performance of the iconic album and when this year's annual Christmas Burns Red was announced it was indicated that each night would be different with the first of the two holding true to the rest of the tour with this full album play. As always two night passes for the incredible metal show sold quickly and the hotel that hosts it was quickly booked to capacity as fans travel from far and wide for these hometown shows. The band was joined this year but an incredible supporting cast of bands that included Crystal Lake, Brand of Sacrifice, Spite and another local favorite from nearby Ephrata - Texas In July.

The anticipation for the evening ran high early in the night as fans wrapped around the building hours before August Burns Red was set to take the stage after 9PM. As doors open the crowd burst into the venue and split in two directions are diehard fans ran to secure a barricade spot while others made a mad dash to buy festival merch. Over the years 'Christmas Burns Red' has mirrored the rise of August Burns Red as it has grown from the basement of the former Chameleon Club to the main room now a massive convention center performance sprawled across two nights of two separate performances. In a poetic way it was certainly a special night for the band to be ending their current tour featuring 'Rescue & Restore' in full in such an iconic location and part of the band's literal DNA.

The massive crowd of fans were no strangers to August Burns Red or metal shows as a quick glance across them revealed the vast majority of them wearing shirts from the band's storied history. As the night began it became clear during the support acts that something special was taking place in Lancaster this year for 'Christmas Burns Red.' The production was bigger and better than ever even before the main event and the crowd was ready to party on a Friday night with mosh pits, crowd surfers and chaos being unleashed all night long. By the time August Burns Red was set to hit the stage the crowd had reached a fever peak in the night as they were ready to celebrate the season with their favorite band.

'Christmas Burns Red' night one reached it's apex moment as August Burns Red took the stage to a color wash and the crowd gave them a hometown roar of approval that didn't stop until the final chord of 'Rescue & Restore' when they had a minute to catch their breathe before a rapid fire encore. Sadly, the night came to an end just before 11PM due to Lancaster's strict noise curfew but it was clear that the band and crowd would have went all night if they could. 'Christmas Burns Red' has grown a lot of the years and as the massive venue emptied out after night one you couldn't help but imagine when this incredible hometown labor of love from August Burns Red was going to grow into 3 or even 4 nights. The year may be done for August Burns Red now but the future certainly is bright, especially in Lancaster, PA.

August Burns Red

with Texas In July, Crystal Lake, Brand of Sacrifice, and Spite

"Christmas Burns Red"

Freedom Hall Convention Center - Lancaster, PA

December 8, 2023

Pierce the Veil & LS Dunes unleash the 'Jaws of Life Tour' on Reading, PA

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 17:47:02 GMT

Pierce the Veil's rise through the scene has been a decade in the making and with the release of their recent album 'Jaws of Life' the band has finally stepped into arenas for a headline touring that included a sold out show at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA. The band found a huge resurgance on Tik Tok over the past few years as old fans and new fans flocked to the band which also helped catapult their 2023 headline tour into massive bands. Pierce the Veil was joined by special guests LS Dunes on the tour, a metal favorite super group featuring members of Circa Survive, My Chemical Romance, Thursday as well as Coheed and Cambria

Pierce the Veil & LS Dunes

The Jaws of Life Tour

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

November 25, 2023

Ice Nine Kills bring the 'Kiss of Death Tour' with In This Moment & more to the Santander Arena

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 18:37:25 GMT

Ice Nine Kills transformed the Santander Arena on Thanksgiving Eve into a master class of shock rock and horror as they brought the 'Kiss of Death Tour' to Reading, PA with In This Moment, Avatar & New Years Day. Fresh off a colossal tour with the legendary Metallica, Ice Nine Kills have taken 2023 by storm with their now signature brand of musical story telling solely centered around some rather dark subject material. While the band takes notes from the pioneers before them such as Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson - Ice Nine Kills has found a niche all their own as their musical sound combines the traditional scene sound with the best of the modern rock trends.

Ice Nine Kills

'The Kiss of Death Tour'

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

November 22, 2023

Royal and The Serpent take over First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia on Debut Headline Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 16:39:23 GMT

After bursting into the spotlight in 2020 Royal and the Serpent have finally hit the road for their first proper headline tour that included a stop at one of the most iconic punk venues in the world, The First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

While this is the band's first proper headline run Royal and The Serpent are no stranger to the road as they just wrapped up a massive tour this summer opening for Fall Out Boy across the country and previously were out with the rock/pop superstar Demi Lovato. These big tours, coupled with some incredible festival appearances such as When We Were Young in 2022 have helped catapult the band's incredible unique and artistic in front of people who may not have stumbled upon them otherwise. While many know the single "Overwhelmed" that took airwaves and TikTok by storm in 2020, RATS have gone on to release numerous tracks since as they carve their way into uncharted musical waters penning songs with heavier lyrical content than the vast majority of their peers.

In the dark, dingy and legendary basement of First Unitarian Church the stage was set for a dramatic performance themed around 'heaven' and 'hell'

as Royal and The Serpent split their set into two separate native portions as lead singer Ryan Santiago poured her soul out on the stage through music. While this split theming has been the vibe of the entire tour, it hit particular hard in Philadelphia as a room full of packed fans were crammed into the punk rock basement of an actual, practicing church. The 22 song setlist showcased a lot about Royal and The Serpent and while it would be easy to get caught up the the theming, the lighting and the drama of the performance - the core thread of what made the show great was the honesty behind it all. Songs in the set like "No Regrets," "JUNKIE," and even "BETTER" impact fans because there is a truth behind the song and when performed lived a level of exposure in the performance.

Ryan Santiago has long been candid about the struggles and successes in her life - Royal and The Serpent's music captures that saga and when performed live it truly does come to life both for the band and for the fans who have adopted the songs into their own lives. You'd be hard pressed to find a better crowd reaction in the punk/indie rock scene than the one that Royal and The Serpent received when they began to play "ONE NATION UNDERDOGS" early in the set. The basement of the First Unitarian Church was transformed at that moment from an underground concert venue to a safe space where everyone in the crowd could truly be themselves, if only for a few hours. During the first half of the evening the band even took some impromptu requests from the excited Philadelphia crowd as they played "Salvador Dali" for the first time live as well as rare performances of "Weddings & Funerals" and "CHIPS" much to the delightment of all the diehard fans.

Royal and The Serpent were not alone on this tour and were joined by JUTES and Baby Fisher, both of whom the crowd treated more like family than they did support artists. Through out the entire evening the interaction between the artists on stage and the crowd was magical. First Unitarian Church hosted many iconic artists over the years including Jimmy Eat World, The Bouncing Souls and now, Royal and The Serpent. Those in attendance will long brag that they were apart of this incredibly intimate and powerful performance in one of the most iconic venues in the country. Those who missed out will always look back with regret on not buying the tickets for this one. 2023 has been a big year for Royal and The Serpent - the band will certainly be back for the Philadelphia fans soon enough but without a doubt it will be in a large venue as this band continues to take the scene by storm.

Royal and The Serpent

with Jutes and Baby Fisher

"First Ever Headline Tour"

Freedom Hall Convention Center - Philadelphia, PA

November 2, 2023

Boys Like Girls travel back in time with 'SOLD OUT' show at the Fillmore

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 14:43:38 GMT

After bursting onto the scene over a decade ago Boys Like Girls triumphant return to music has seen them selling out venues nationwide on their fall tour. The band returned after a long hiatus last year at the When We Were Young festival in Las Vegas where they announced their new album "Sundays at Foxwoods" that was released in 2024 ahead of the current tour.

Boys Like Girls

The Fillmore - Philadelphia

October 30, 2023

Maluma and the 'Don Juan World Tour 2023' bring the party to the Santander Arena in Reading

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 15:24:21 GMT

Maluma's return to the road in 2023 was one of the most anticipated tours of the year and his show at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA marked the latest tour within the genre to roll through the downtown venue. Since re-opening in 2021 the venue has become a mainstay of the Latin touring market with seemingly every artist routing through the southeastern part of Pennsylvania in between their stops in Washington DC and New York City. Maluma has long been requested to perform in Reading from local fans and the arrival of the 'Don Juan World Tour' fulfilled that long standing request from the community.

Maluma

Don Juan World tour

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

October 14, 2023

Static-X and Sevendust join forces to bring the 'Machine Killer Tour' to Lancaster

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 17:57:17 GMT

A tour featuring combination of artists that haven't hit the road together in over a decade, the newly reformed Static-X and Sevendust have come together for the metal tour of the year with some of the biggest production and venues that has made all feel like we are back in 1999 (at least for one night.)

The tragic death of Wayne Static in 2014 lit the spark that eventually led to the return of Static-X in the current formation with their new, mysterious frontman Xer0 being a clever nod to the original great whose shoes he is filling. While there is much speculation amongst fans as to who this new singer is officially it remains anonymous, however critical praise for the live performances and new music recorded with Xer0 have helped bring the band back to the forefront of the metal scene. This recaptured attention, combined with the touring power of metal mainstay Sevendust helped make the 'Machine Killer Tour' one of the most hyped metal tours of the year when it was announced. Metal veterans will attest that few bands have perfected the live touring circuit better than Sevendust over the years and the band has been on a creative hot streak over the past few years releasing a ton of powerful new music to their bolster already impressive discography. Together these two iconic bands were set to deliver one of the best metal shows Lancaster has seen in years and possibly ever within the Freedom Hall Convention Center.

Despite some audio issues that plagued the first few songs of the set, dope's brief time on the stage set the tone for the remainder of the night as crowd surfers flowed over the barricade and mosh pits had burst to life through out the massive venue. The band shined literally on stage within the massive production and performance wise as they commanded excellence with their brief set before making way for the stage hands to prepare for the arrival of Sevendust. The merch lines wrapped the venue, the beer lines sprawled even further - the anticipation for the main event had gripped the venue and went the lights dimmed out for the start of Sevendust fans came running from all directions to get the best spot they could within the pit. A "mosh pit here" sign was raised before the band's first song and remained there from start to finish with lead singer Lajon Witherspoon mentioning it a few times during the performance. Across their 15 song set Sevendust reminded those who had forgotten why they have been touring for the better part of two decades - they remain one of the (if not the) best live performances within the genre.

While age has started to creep on them but Sevendust have long been too stubborn to let them slow their performance as this has seen the grow even further as artists with the introduction of massive video boards and content that only further elevated their already powerful songs. The crowd was feral for their set with multiple mosh pits and a constant flow of crowd surfers coming over the barricade that peaked on the heaviest songs of the set like "Face to Face" and "Spinter." When many bands leave the stage they leave an air of speculation over what comes next but that didn't reign true for Sevendust's set in Lancaster. We know there is a new album they just release and we also know what comes next - more touring and more excellence because that is simple the Sevendust way.

Static-X's arrival to the stage at the Freedom Hall Convention Center took the already buzzing energy in the room and sent it into a fever pitch as the cold spark pyrotechnics went off to form a massive 'X' to start the set behind the robotic Xer0. From there the set went every which way it possibly in o way that only a band with such an extensive history could achieve. While their 16 song set had a fair amount of new material from the critically acclaimed "Project Regeneration, Vol. 1" the band remained true to their mission with their recent touring in honoring the legacy of how Static-X reached the peak of the amount and the legacy of Wayne Static.

Few bands could achieve the technical and theatrical performance that Static-X has put together for the 'Machine Killer Tour' and even fewer bands could deliver it with the force that the band did in Lancaster. This tour has not only proved that Static-X is back but plans to remain around for awhile as they've invested heavily into this massive touring production for their fans. 2023 has been their year so far and with this tour (and a new album) on the horizon the only direction you'll find Static-X for the foreseeable future is upwards. These two icons may never hit the road again with this many dates and they've given everyone a chance to see them as popularity has demanded a second leg be added with dates already announced and on sale. You can miss a lot of tours in life and survive but you can't miss this one if you are a fan of the genre. Old fans,. new fans and everyone in between - the 'Machine Killer Tour' is a MUST see because let's be honest, will it really get any better this?

Static-X and Sevendust

with dope

"Machine Killer Tour"

Freedom Hall Convention Center - Lancaster, PA

October 15, 2023

Dogstar takes Stroudsburg to 'Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 18:04:36 GMT

A day after the release of their third album, Dogstar brought their 'Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees' tour to one of the smallest markets on the tour but easily one of the largest sold out rooms - Stroudsburg, PA at the Sherman Theater. In the hours leading up to the show social media was a buzz about the band's arrival in town and things were sent into a frenzy once reports that bassist, Keanu Reeves, was out on the town that morning. The night before the band celebrated the release of their new album with a small show and Reeves made an appearance at Main Street Jukebox to seemingly sign a few copies of the new record, grab a t-shirt for the show and take a few selfies with lucky fans who saw him out on the town. At 11AM Dogstar fans were already taking over the small Pennsylvania town ahead of the show and by an hour before doors the line for the venue stretched down the block as the venue prepared themselves for a truly sold out performance from the reunited rockers.

Dogstar's surprise reunion and new album announcement took over social media earlier in 2023 when it happened and the first round of tour dates sold out almost instantly as the band routed their way through major markets like Tokyo, Washington DC and more. Luckily Pennsylvania fans of the 90's rock legends were treated to a surprise announcement of the Sherman Theater performance when the band announced an additional round of dates. While Stourdsburg may not be a major market in a traditional sense it is certainly a mainstay of the touring rock world and the fans stepped up selling out this show well in advance. As doors opened to the venue fans flocked to the merch both to grab the band's new LP on vinyl, cd (or both) and many were grabbing one of the really well designed tour shirts as well. After a quick stop at the bar fans began to back the venue to capacity and get ready for the rock show of the year in town.

The rock trio consisting of movie superstar Keanu Reeves on bass, actor and drummer Robert Mailhouse behind the kit and Bret Domrose on guitar and vocals took the stage to a roaring ovation from the Stroudsburg crowd. Slowly but methodically the band took their places and quickly exchanged small smiles with each other as the lights around them began to burst to life. With a smirk on his face Reeves struck the first bass notes of "Blonde" as the band dove into a powerhouse and impressive 18 song setlist. While it has been a proverbial "minute" since Dogstar was on the road the band hasn't missed a day when it comes to the live performances with Reeves, Mailhouse and Domrose all still embodying the rockstar energy they had nearly two decades ago when they were fresh on the scene.

From a technical stand point the show was flawless and the vibe within the sold out Sherman Theater was truly remarkable from start to finish of the band's set. Reeves worked the crowd from time to time while he remained focused on the bass lines that kept the entire band rolling along. Bret Domrose shined bright through out the set both vocally and performance wise as he captivated the audiences attention every time he stepped away from his microphone stand to riff on the guitar for a bit. 'Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees' is one of the strongest albums released in 2023 and just a day after it's official release the crowd was singing along to many of the songs. From "Glimmer" to "Everything Turns Around" and beyond the band's artistic vision translated masterfully into a live set.

With many bands it's easy to predict that they'll be back and supporting new music but there is a genuine chance that Dogstar's sold out show in Stroudsburg may have been a once in a lifetime gig. Whether or not it goes down in history as that way is up to fate at this point and fans can at the very least be grateful for the amazing night they spent with the iconic rockers 'Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees' in the middle of nowhere, Pennsylvania.

Dogstar

"Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees Tour"

Sherman Theater - Stroudsburg, PA

October 7, 2023

Greta Van Fleet step "Into the Ether' with Starcatcher World Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 19:58:25 GMT

In the past decade few bands have captivated audiences like Greta Van Fleet has since the burst into the spotlights in 2017 following the release of their critically acclaimed EP, "Black Smoke Rising." Since then the band has grown from the small club band they emerged as and transformed into an arena headlining band that has captivated audiences world wide with their stunning stage shows. While the narrative on Greta Van Fleet varies based on who you ask there is no denying that they have done in 5 years what many bands can only dream to accomplish and did so with an artistic flair that has long been missing in the contemporary rock world.

Though Greta Van Fleet are early on in the destined 'Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame Career,' the band has gone through several stages of artistic expression and self discovery through their music so far. The band has entered their next chapter with their recent release of "Starcatcher" and this tour supporting the album. At the core of Greta Van Fleet's success lies their raw talent that they have managed to focus into both their live shows and studio albums alike, without this pure essence the band's incredible message would falter under the weight of itself. However, that isn't the case as the band has captured a style and prose of rock music that hasn't been since in decades and with it captivated the hearts & minds of a generation. Together, this combination has catapulted Greta Van Fleet into massive shows including their recent stop in Pennsylvania at the Wells Fargo Center.

The journey from their first EP to their latest tour has been a saga and along the Greta Van Fleet have constantly shocked, turned heads and ruffled feathers. At long last the band moved passed the era of keyboard warriors comparing them to other artist and have established their own legacy with their art. The 'Starcatcher World Tour' at the Wells Fargo Center was a celebration of this next chapter for the band and the fans as they reveled in the moment together, through the music.

Across a nearly two hour set Greta Van Fleet took the packed arena on a musical journey through not only time but their every growing discography from their young but accomplished career. The band has long been known for their ability to transform their songs from the studio into masterpieces live as lead singer Josh Kiszka shined brightly on every song during the set. His incredible vocal range coupled with the sometimes improvised guitar riffs from Jake Kiszka and powerful bass lines from Sammy Kiszka made for an incredible front line rock performance - but behind them all Danny Wagner was the glue that kept the show together from behind his drum kit.

Greta Van Fleet have already taken the planet by storm and 'Starcatcher' has truly sent them, their fans and their music into the atmosphere. In a short amount of time this band has accomplished so much and it has been a saga to watch unfold. In another 5 years it is impossible to predict where Greta Van Fleet will be because they've already climbed so high - the only thing left is for them to take one giant leap again and move into stadiums as they leave arenas behind. Until then we will have patience and enjoy to be living in the moment with rock history unfolding around us all.

Greta Van Fleet

"Starcatcher World Tour"

Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia, PA

September 19, 2023

The Used & Sleeping With Sirens bring a downpour 'Toxic Positivity' to Harrisburg

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 18:36:41 GMT

Summer concert season is winding down but it isn't over yet and The Used helped remind central Pennsylvania that there is still sometime left on the calendar for some outdoor concert fun this year, even if that means risking it all during a thunderstorm.

The Used are currently on the road supporting their new album on the "Toxic Positivity" tour and have been joined by fellow scene mainstays Sleeping With Sirens for this 24 North American trek across the country. Both bands have been on the road extensively over the past year since their appearances at the first annual When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas last year that marked off a milestone in the revival of 'Warped Tour' era bands. The Used and Sleeping With Sirens are no strangers to the road and the variables it brings as both bands were forced to quickly adapt their performances for the massive show in Harrisburg as heavy rain was on the forecast for the XL Live stage.

As the sun began to set the clouds rolled in and Sleeping With Sirens took to the stage amidst a downpour as they warmed the crowd up with a powerful 9 song set that was filled with all bangers and no filler for their rapid fire set. The crowd sang along to nearly every song in their set and it was clear that not even a downpour (with some guest appearances from thunder & lightning) could bring down the vibes in Harrisburg.

This show marked the first of the genre that the venue had done outside and Sleeping With Sirens proved with their set that the massive, festival stage was up to the challenge of hosting shows of the sort. Like many bands within the scene Kellin Quinn and Sleeping With Sirens have really dialed in their live performances over the past few years and are without question putting on some of the best shows in their career right now. They may have only been on stage for 9 songs but it felt like a headline performance before the set was over, and the main event was still to come with The Used.

By the time The Used were set to hit the stage the temperature had dropped easily 10 degrees but the rain soaked crowd hadn't moved at all, the entirety of the crowd was dialed in and ready to give it their all on this cold September night for their favorite band. The Used stayed true to their word and truly brought a wave of "Toxic Positivity" to Harrisburg as their 14 song set gave fans enough of the hits that it kept the energy still at a fever pitch when the band brought out some of their new material. It's hard to believe or rationalize that The Used have been touring relentlessly since 2000 when the broke into the scene because from a technical standpoint they still remain as fresh and raw as a punk band as they did then.

Lead singer Bert McCracken has gone through many "eras" in his career but the last 10 years have watched him transform into the powerhouse frontman that he is today. Few singers can smile as big as he does in the middle of telling a massive crowd to go "f*ck themselves," lovingly of course as this is part of the band's well known stage performance. Rain or shine nothing can stop The Used at this point in their career as they've continue to push the boundaries year after year with no stop in sight for them.

The Used

with Sleeping With Sirens

"Toxic Positivity Tour"

XL Live Outdoor Stage - Harrisburg, PA

September 8, 2023

Yellowcard bring '20 Years of Ocean Avenue' to Pennsylvania with Mayday Parade, Story of the Year & This Wild Life

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:38:38 GMT

2023 has continued to be another year in the golden revival of pop punk bands as Yellowcard's reunion tour has swept the country by storm with a massive supporting cast that included Mayday Parade, Story of the Year & This Wild Life for the closing leg. From the minute the band announced their first reunion date, 'Yellowcard fever' has swept the nation by storm as the timing couldn't have been better for the band's revival amidst the renewed interest within the genre. Their farewell tour saw the band playing a majority of intimate clubs with a good amount being sold out and others not quite hitting that mark - when it came to ticket sales for their return few hotter tours existed as fans flocked to see their favorite band once more on the stage.

Fueled by the hype the band hit the road with a strong first leg of the tour that sold out almost instantly before a second round of tour dates were added that included the local date in Hershey, Pennsylvania the Giant Center. Not only was the band joined by an incredibly strong cast of talented bands but they fused the party into the tour by bringing 'Emo Night Brooklyn' out on the road for the tour to keep the vibes up all night long. The combination of having a DJ on stage set a new standard within the industry that all tours should look to copy. Yellowcard hit the stage to a crowd that had already sang their lungs out to a massive setlist of hits from Mayday Parade, Story of the Year & This Wild Life. Across all 3 support sets the Giant Center crowd had everything from mosh pits, crowd surfers & more that set the bar high for the arrival of the pop punk veterans on stage.

Across nineteen songs Yellowcard not only reminded their fans that it "was never a phase" but also why they were one of the biggest bands in the scene before disbanding. You could close your eyes at any point in their set you could close your eyes for a brief second to be transported back to a parking lot on Warped Tour (granted it was a lot colder in the arena than the sweaty summer sun ever was). The setlist wove the crowd through the band's historic legacy of songs that included some surprises along the way such as Derek Sanders from Mayday Parade coming out to sing "Hang You Up" with that band. Critically the tour's success speaks louder than any words about the performance ever could. Yellowcard has always been one of the strongest bands in the scene and some time off the road did them wonders as they've returned possibly better than ever despite that cliche.

Since their return Yellowcard has been nonstop and one can only wonder what is next for the band as they wrapped up the biggest (and possibly most successful) tour of their career a few days after the performance at the Giant Center in Hershey. Pop punk is back and bigger than ever so it wouldn't be surprising to see the band come out swinging with some new material for fans. Whatever the future holds Yellowcard have really notched their place in history with this tour of comebacks alongside Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance - for now all we can do is be thankful that we all go to sing "Ocean Avenue" together at least one more time and wait patiently for whatever comes next for Yellowcard.

Yellowcard

with Mayday Parade, Story of the Year & This Wild Life

20 Years of Ocean Avenue Tour

Giant Center - Hershey, PA

August 15, 2023

Old Dominion bring 'No Bad Vibes' to their SOLD OUT show in Reading, PA

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 19:46:11 GMT

Old Dominion brought their 'No Bad Vibes' tour to the Santander Arena in Reading, PA for a reschedule show that was well worth the wait as the downtown venue was SOLD OUT to capacity for a Thursday night summer party. Lead singer Matthew Ramsey was forced to push the Reading, PA show from the originally scheduled date in April due to a severe ATV injury that took the band off the road for a few months. However, their arrival to the Santander Arena was met with standing ovation as Ramsey and the band walked on stage ready to give their patient fans the show of a life time.

O ld Dominion

No Bad Vibes Tour

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

July 26, 2023

Hollywood Vampires 'Raise The Dead' for US Tour kick off in Boston

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 19:24:36 GMT

Fresh off the heels of a massive European tour the Hollywood Vampires returned to the United States to complete their tour with a very small run of dates that kicked off with a SOLD OUT show at the Boch Center in Boston.

In the world of the rock there are few super groups in history that compare to the might of the Hollywood Vampires. At this point in their "career" the hybrid powerhouse band has put out two full length albums full of both stunning covers and heavy-infused original material. While the band may have only officially formed in the past decade it's talented cast of "vampires" are no stranger to the road as the group features a star studded main line up Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry & Tommy Henriksen - with an equally talented supporting cast behind them of Glen Sobel, Chris Wyse, & Buck Johnson.

As the clock marched on towards the band's arrival o n stage you could sense the anticipation and excitement within the crowd as many had waited for this show for some time. For many, this would be their first time seeing this iconic group perform together, for many they were excited to see this powerhouse of a rock show once more and for everyone they were eager that the night was here at last after it was postponed from May to July to allow for Depp to recover from a hairline fraction in his foot. A massive presence of video cameras, warning signs that the night was being filmed for something and a gigantic camera crane took the crowd's fever to an even higher level as slowly they became aware the night was going to be truly something special for all involved.

As the lights flashed dark and the crowd screamed with a fever pitch they truly did manage to "Raise The Dead" as the band strutted out confidently on stage to kick night off with an original song from their discography before moving quickly into a stunning Alice Cooper cover if you can even call it that with him performing on it. Through out the night the many vampires on stage traded off the spotlight on vocal duties and even shared many of the iconic guitar solos along the way. The band's sprawling 19 song setlist was a rock n' roll master class that allowed them to split the spotlight between their own originals as the Hollywood Vampires, some covers they helped produce and a few covers they have been performing out of their love of the music.

The mainstay highlights included the closing run of Aerosmith songs from "Bright Light Fright" and "Walk This Way" that parlayed into a powerful closer with "School's Out" that had the crowd going wild. However along the way other moments shined brighter than the big hits of the set os Depp stole the spotlight for a hauntingly beautiful cover of "Heroes" that received a massive standing ovation. Depp also wowed the crowd with the band's cover of "People Who Died" that featured many of the band's fallen friends - Perry would later revisit this thread in touching tribute to Jeff Back that left the crowd stunned.

From start to finish the Hollywood Vampires showcased that while this is a side project for them all from their other success it is no joke and they demand to be taken seriously with the halls of rock fame. Combined on stage the band could easily fight for the title of most talent on the road for a single tour and yet all of them had smiles on their faces like this was their first tour, in their first band, fresh out of the garage. It may have been later than orginally planned but to no one's surprise the Hollywood Vampires rose and delivered for their fans in Boston.

Young The Giant, Milky Chance and TALK team up on tour to take over the 'Summer of 2023'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 23:02:32 GMT

Summer touring season wouldn't be complete without an iconic combo tour and this summer is set to belong to Young The Giant, Milky Chance and TALK who have teamed up to bring an unforgettable night to cities nationwide.

Between all three acts on the road there are countless radio hits spanning multiple decades of alternative music at this point. While this tour officially kicked off a few weeks back it made it's way to the Skyline Stage at the Mann on June 11 on perfect summer night that was lucky one of the first clear night's the city had seen for a few days. The tour had an unlucky break early on due to the smoke from the Canadian wildfires that had drifted into the country and while fans were concerned going into that Sunday it turned out that the day would be clear, full of blue skies and a cool 70 degrees.

The newcomer of the group TALK kicked the night off with a chaotic, poetic and energetic set that was full of new music that had yet to be released. While many know the TikTok brake out artist from his hit debut single "Run Away to Mars" it became clear that the crowd did their homework as many fans in the crowd were singing along to his other recent singles as well. TALK commanded the stage and while many of his songs dealt with heavy subject matter he kept it light at the same time and did his best to enjoy his time in front of the audience. By the time his set entered the final few songs the crowd had really filled in as many fans made their way into the venue to catch the rising star sing his biggest hit (so far) before he closed out the set with a wild cover performance of "School of Rock."

Fresh off the release of their new album, "Living in a Haze" - Milky Chance hit the stage just as the sun began setting across Philadelphia that casted them in a wild golden hour as the band kicked the dance party portion of the evening off. From the first song to the last of their set Milky Chance reminded their long time fans why they are known as one of the most genre defining bands within alternative as things got a little bit disco and all sorts of funk during their set. Across their 13 songs set the German band gave the crowd a shot of adrenaline as they worked the crowd and were treated to numerous dance pits - as well as some sing-a-long sessions through out the night.

Over a decade into their career at this point the band's set was padded with hits through out and lead singer Clemens Rehbein fed off the crowd's energy each time he kicked the band into a new song. Milky Chance were technically excellent on stage from the opening notes of 'Synchronize' to the bellowing highs of 'Colorado' and back again to the new single 'Living in a Haze.' The vibe during their set was a summer fever dream and as the band began to wrap up their set it became clear just how special of a tour fans were seeing as cell phones went back into pockets and much of the crowd began truly living in the moment with Milky Chance before the set came to an end.

By the time night fell across the city of Philadelphia the Mann Center had already witnessed two of the best sets it may host all summer with another yet to come as the stage was transformed in the spirit of "American Bollywood" for the arrival of Young The Giant. The band emerged on stage amidst a dramatic purple wash that hid them from few until late in title track that kicked the night off but the mysterious antics soon faded. In a shock to all Young The Giant kickstarted their set with a rapid fire succession of hits that barely left the packed crowd a chance to catch their breath as they ran through "Wake Up," "Something to Believe In" and "Cough Syrup" back to back.

From there the night remained partitioned into acts with each mini-set being a rapid, but epic filled sample from the band's iconic career. Young The Giant have truly never been given the praise and hype they deserve in the past but this tour seemingly righted many of the past wrongs as the Skyline Stage at the Mann was more full than we have seen in it in quite sometime. With the sheer volume of tours out this summer it would have been easy for fans to miss this one but it was clear from the early arrival to the density of the crowd to the very end of the set that Young The Giant, Milky Chance and TALK was the highlight of many folks' concert calendars this summer. We won't see another summer tour like this in 2023 and we might not even see something this stacked in 2024 - if you missed this tour you did yourself a disservice because while summer might end the memories of the crowd in Philadelphia from this show will certainly last a lifetime.

Bebe Rexha takes over Seattle on the 'Best F'n Night Of My Life' Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 18:05:57 GMT

Bebe Rexha is back on the road for her first headline tour in over 6 years and brought the party, the glitz and a whole lot of dancing to the historic Showbox SoDo in Seattle, Washington.

Since bursting almost a decade ago Bebe Rexha has come a long way from her grassroots starts which even included a run on now defunct Vans Warped Tour. Through these early years Rexha evolved as an artist until she found her trademark calling which ended up catapulting her career to new levels. Her secret? Writing and singing some of the best pop songs of the decades both of her own material and with the biggest artists in the game including David Guetta, Florida Georgia Line, G-Eazy, Nicki Minaj Martin Garrix, Doja Cat & more. The list of artists Bebe Rexha has collaborated with is long but at the core of every song remains her stunning vocals and absolute party vibes that she brings to every track. The same vibe burst into reality the moment she took the stage in Seattle as the crowd went wild as the iconic pop-star hit the stage with a blinding burst of purple LED lighting before coming into the spotlight to reveal her stunning green party attire.

Across a comprehensive, career encompassing setlist Bebe Rexha reminded her fans that no one has dominated the EDM and pop charts like she has in the past decade. From stunning solo performances early in the set of original material such as opening track "I'm Not High, I'm In Love" to the career defining masterpiece and chart topping "I'm Good (Blue)" with David Guetta - Bebe Rexha reigned supreme with a stunning performance in Seattle. Fans danced, sang and cheered along all night long supporting their appointed queen as she gave a masterful example of some of the best contemporary pop songs around.

While the historic Showbox SoDo was a wonderful venue to host this Tuesday night pop-rave, it was an injustice as Bebe Rexha deserves (and will soon with no doubt) be playing to crowds 3x or 4x that venue. The sheer volume of streams on her Spotify account alone demonstrated the reach her music has had over the years and now that she is back on the road it will only be a matter of time before people see what they missed on the 'Best F*n Night of My Life Tour.' The FOMO from the Instagram Stories, photos and incredible times that Rexha brought to her fans will only further cement her place amongst the greats of pop. For now the tour rolls on and will be coming through locally to the Fillmore on Tuesday, June 20. Trust us when you say it is a night that you won't want to miss because if you do it will be the 'worst night of your life' at home tour.

Anuel AA brings 'The Legends Never Die Tour' to Reading, PA for SOLD OUT show

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 30 May 2023 18:48:35 GMT

Anuel AA marked the latest of a growing number of Latin artist to sell out the Santander Arena in Reading, PA with his 2023 tour stop. The venue has hosted a record number of events within the genre since re-opening in 2023 and has become a touring mainstay within the industry as a result. Anuel's current tour made a stop in town in late May as his only Pennsylvania date on the tour.

Anuel AA

Legends Never Die Tour

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

May 26, 2023

Sleeping With Sirens' SOLD OUT return to Reading on the 'Family Trees Tour'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 25 May 2023 19:27:42 GMT

Fresh off the release of their newest album, 'Full Collapse,' Sleeping With Sirens returned to Pennsylvania for an intimate SOLD OUT performance at Reverb in Reading.

Long known as a touring mainstay and approaching legendary status within the scene at this point in their career - Sleeping With Sirens are currently on the road on what they've called the 'Family Tree Tour' named for one of the many excellent songs off their recent released. Although the line up may be a bit different than when the band burst onto the scene in 2010 it has been relatively consistent since 2020 with the band releasing 2 of their best albums with this current group. Frontman Kellin Quinn has led the band through highs and lows throughout their decade plus career with dozens of tours, festivals & more but nothing compares to the revival of the scene that took place through (and after) the pandemic. Sleeping With Sirens were never truly gone so it's hard to say they are "back" but it safe to say they better than ever as they've found new energy within their material and their fans have helped sell out multiple tours in a row now.

Across 15 songs Kellin Quinn and Sleeping With Sirens delivered a flawless career-spanning set that had the crowd moshing and crowd surfing from start to finish. The band wasted no time getting the night started strong as they walked on stage to a burst of illuminated LED lights and a video wall with their logo brightly displayed. Suddenly the crowd lurched forward as Kellin Quinn shouted hello and the band kicked off the opening riffs of "Tally It Up: Settle the Score" that instantly resulted in crowd surfers coming over the barricade. All night the crowd gave Sleeping With Sirens 250% of their energy as they moshed, screamed, sang, danced and crowd surfed like the show was the last one they'd ever be at. Reverb in Reading is easily the smallest venue the band is playing this tour and this intimate show gave the band's fans a chance to be closer than ever to their favorite group.

Through out the night Kellin Quinn strutted across the stage and made sure to high five as many fans as he could while security was doing their best to contain the ocean of surfers coming over. A few well placed acoustic songs gave the band, the crowd and security a second to catch their breathe but things quickly picked back up at the end of the set. The notable highlights of the set came as a surprise as many would have expected to be some of the band's more notable work like "If You Can't Hang" or their cover of "Iris" when in fact it ended up being the majority of their new songs. Quinn did belt out perfect vocals on the old songs however but there was a different energy and vigor amongst all of the guys during the choruses of "Talking to Myself" and even more noticeably on songs like "Bloody Knuckles" and "Crosses."

As the night came to a close and the final crowd surfers made their way across the barricade fans began to file towards the exits very much aware of how special of a night this sold out show in Reading. PA was. Sleeping With Sirens have played venues 2x and 3x larger through out this entire tour and Reverb was treated to a stunning performance on a Tuesday night from one of the best band's in the scene. These shows don't happen very often but when they do they are the ones that people talk about for years to come. Will Sleeping With Sirens be back to Reverb? We sure hope so because Reading, PA will be there to turn up for them and give it all even if it is a school night for many.

Beartooth and Trivium kick off 2023 Tour in Stroudsburg, PA

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 02 May 2023 23:08:41 GMT

Beartooth and Trivium have teamed up for 2023's heaviest tour so far as the two bands are set to take the country (and numerous festivals) by storm this spring on this iconic 'Trivtooth' tour.

Since the tail end of the pandemic the rock and metal world has seen a legendary amount of co-headline tours as bands have teamed up for tours that fans could only have dreamed of just a few years ago. Rising metal stars Beartooth have officially hit the road with the iconic scene mainstays Trivium for what is set to be one of the most absurd tours of the year. Additionally the two headline bands have been joined by some incredible upcoming talent on this tour as Malevolence and Archtypes Collide have joined them as special guests.

Beartooth have been riding a wave of success that truly began in 2019 but has taken the band to all new heights as they've powered through the past few years with some of their best material and biggest tours of their career. This tour kick off show at the Sherman Theater came right on the heels of their recent release "Sunshine" that has seen the band yet again take over the streaming and radio charts. The band has some of the best singles of the past few years and their fanbase is by far one of the most loyal and passionate with the scene. While there were a good number of Trivium shirts that could be spotted in the crowd at Stroudsburg it was an overwhelming see of black and yellow shirts with the band's stylized Beartooth logo etched across them all.

Caleb Shomo and Beartooth dashed on stage just before 9PM to the roar of the crowd as their logo was displayed on a traditional stage banner behind them and haze flooded the stage. A massive array of color lighting burst to life at the start of the first song as Shomo belted out the opening lyrics of "Devastation" and the crowd suddenly went insane. Security was quickly overwhelmed with crowd surfers coming over the barricade as the band rattled through a 13 song and 60 minute set that gave the fans just enough but also probably left them wanting even more. Beartooth has already hit a point in their career where constructing a setlist is getting difficult as the newly released "Sunshine" made in early appearance alongside some other expected tracks such as "Skin," "Riptide" and "Disease." The set from start to finish flew by despite covering a large amount of the band's material as they wasted very little time between songs as the tried (and succeeded) at giving their fans as many songs as possible in Stroudsburg. Beartooth was far from the first metal band to play the Sherman Theater but is easily the first that has caused such chaos both on and off stage that security needed to be rushed to the stage from elsewhere to help. Through it all the fans were smiling as they opened a massive circle pit and came across the barricade nonstop - Beartooth saw this and was fueled by the energy which made the night even more legendary. As quickly as the mosh pits opened they closed and fans quickly made their way to merch, the bar and the bathroom as the set was changed over for the next round at the Sherman Theater.

It may have been a Monday night but that didn't keep the crowd from staying packed in the venue for 9:50 arrival of Trivium. In fact, based on the hype level from the crowd you would have been safe assuming it was a Friday or Saturday as Pennsylvania showed why our state has a reputation for being one of the best markets in the country for rock and metal. Trivium burst onto the stage with a vengeance as their massive white curtain drop was whisked across the stage at the start of the set to reveal the band and a relentless amount of strobes that were perfectly timed to every guitar riff. Lead singer Matt Heafy nearly blended with the massive illustrative backdrop on stage as he wore a jacket of a similar pattern but he was easy to spot as he ran across the stage to various microphones while ripping on his guitar. Much like Beartooth before them Trivium delivered a technically stunning set of material that also spanned 60 minutes and covered the vast catalog of songs they have put out of the years. From the first riff to the last drum snare Trivium left it all on the stage and Stoudsburg left it all in the pit for them as well.

There is always a certain level of uncertainty when it comes to the opening night of tour but the Sherman Theater showed up and set the bar for the rest of the tour for Beartooth and Trivium. 2023 has been a once in a life time year in the touring world for rock fans and this tour is easily towards the top of ones that simply cannot be missed.

Do yourself a favor and find the nearest date coming to you because 'Trivtooth' is a combination that can't be missed.

Killswitch Engage dominate in Lancaster on 2023 'Mini Tour'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 16:34:10 GMT

Killswitch Engage hit the road for a select few dates this Spring that saw them make a stop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for an incredible crowd that was ready to party on a Friday night.

2022 saw the band return to the road after numerous delays due to the pandemic for an a widely successful tour with August Burns Red in support of their 2019 release 'Atonement.' While the band hasn't had a major release since that one the show remained fresh as the setlist was completely reworked for this current 'Mini Tour' and Killswitch Engage brought the heat from start to finish with a drastically heavier set than usual.

Part of the lore and mystery of Killswitch Engage is the saga that has spanned nearly 20 years from their dramatic rise to colossal heights early on followed by the departure and eventual return of Jesse Leach as the vocalist. Fittingly enough Lancaster was also one of the cities the band returned to in 2012 when Leach reentered the band as the band performed at the now defunct and demolished Chameleon Club. 'The Atonement Era' of Killswitch Engage has seen the band enter a renaissance as they released a masterpiece of a metal album full of content that not only belongs in their setlist every night but flat out demands to be performed live. That doesn't mean that the songs from the Howard Jones era have no place as those songs also fit seamlessly into the set with Leach breathing new life into his versions as he performed with the same passion for these songs as he did his own material with the band.

The band's 18 song set was brutal, intense and as all good metal sets should be full of crowd surfing and moshing. While the previous tour saw the rotating a lot of material in out of the sets this 'Mini Tour' has seen Killswitch Engage really dial in a tight set of heavy mainstays and some rarities from the band as well. The night started with a triumphant roar as the band tore through a powerful performance of "My Curse" before pivoting into multiple eras of the band's discography. Across 18 songs Killswitch Engage kept the crowd at the Lancaster Convention Center moving as it was a nonstop ocean of mosh pits and security caught countless crowd surfers from the first song to the last. Leach ran the length of the massive stage through out the performance as he belted out massive songs flawlessly and around him Mike D'Antonio, Adam Dutkiewicz, and Joel Stroetzel sprinted the stage on guitar/bass.

While Killswitch Engage may not be on the road touring to support any new music that didn't stop them from reminding everyone how they've survived and prospered after 20 years in the metal scene - excellence, and nothing short of it. There are a lot of bands in metal but few possess the raw technical talent that Killswitch Engage does across the stage. In another 20 years we will be moving a little slow but there is no doubt that they'll still be tearing it up on tour and the studio.

Shinedown return to Pennsylvania with 'The Revolutions Live Tour'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 16:24:16 GMT

For the third time in less than a calendar year Shinedown returned to Pennsylvania in support of their latest release 'Planet Zero.' The album has taken the band to new record setting heights on the rock radio charts and led to sold out shows across the world on 'The Revolutions Live Tour.'

The past 10 years of rock n' roll have belonged to Shinedown and truly no one else as the band has continued to dominate the charts and ticket sales for every tour they've hit the road with. Not only has the band outshined all of their peers in the genre they also gone on to sell well over 10 million records during the time, Shinedown has made history by moving even further into the #1 position on the Billboard Charts for Rock Artists with singles reaching the #1 position. On the day the band was set to perform for a packed house in Wilkes Barre, PA at the Mohegan Sun Arena they announced that their latest single "Dead Don't Die" had officially gone number one making it their 20th single to achieve the prestigous ranking. Shinedown are currently on the third leg of the 'The Revolution's Live Tour' and are showing no signs of slowing down as nearly every performance has been sold out or down to very limited tickets. There was really no denying that the release of 'Planet Zero' in 2022 was going to mark a huge milestone in the band's career but it truly has launched them even further than anyone could have imagined.

Shinedown has had the same revolutionary stage production out with them on the road since the beginning of the tour in 2022 - this leg saw the band update the pre-show video with tons of news clips of them both on and off stage from over the past year on the road. However the vibe quickly switched into show mode as an updated version of cryptic alien symbols took over the screen, an AI appeared and the Mohegan Sun Arena was taken from 2023 and transported to "Planet Zero." As they have all tour Shinedown emerged from behind their video wall but this year they mixed things up a bit as they kicked the show with a long time fan favorite "Diamond Eyes."

Through 19 songs Shinedown reminded the massive crowd exactly how they became the best and most important rock band of the century - their artistry and raw talent. The band has reached a point where they truly do have too many songs to choose from as so many songs translate well into their live show. While fans have some to expect certain mainstay songs in the list there is always a bit of unpredictably as to what songs the band might routine in and out which keeps each tour fresh for both them and the fans. The current 'Revolutions Live Tour' saw the band find a solid mix of commercial singles, fan favorites and stellar deep cuts that weren't on performed during the previous tours. One new addition to the setlist this time around was a stunning performance of "A Symptom of Being Human" that both showcased Brent Smith's incredible vocal range as well as provided an amazing moment as fans lit the arena with their lights and cell phones.

Through out the entire Brent Smith yet again delivered a masterful vocal performance alongside he performance partner in crime Zach Myers on guitar. The duo captivated the crowd as they spent a lot of time on the massive stage feeding off each other's energy. Smith made the rounds often back to Eric Bass on bass Barry Kerch back on drums as well through out the night. All the while Smith reminded the crowd exactly how they've gotten to the point in the career that they have 20 number one singles on the rock charts. It's been said before and with each passing hit and live performance it becomes clearer that Shinedown's fans are living in an era where they get to be a part of the history of what may go down as the best rock band of all time.

Shinedown has nothing left to prove at this point in their career and they haven't for awhile. Artistically their musically has never been stronger and the live performances have continued to grow more legendary with each tour as they have truly embraced their title "best rock band of all time." The craziest part about that is that they aren't done yet as they have entered the most creative and innovate era of their legacy. 'Planet Zero' took Shinedown to a whole new world of success, whatever is coming next may just take them to a whole new galaxy as the band certainly gets ready for the jump from arena's to stadiums in the near future. Shinedown continues to impress and the show at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania was just another line item in a historic career that has no end in sight.

Ville Valo brings 'NEON NOIR' to the TLA for 2 SOLD OUT Shows

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 16:34:48 GMT

Ville Valo's return to Philadelphia has been a long time coming with his two solo shows announcing over a year ago but patients fans were rewarded as the Finnish rocker brought not only the tour of the year with him but quiet possibly the album of the year as well.

'Neon Noir' marked Valo's first release post HIM and the album was met to critical appraise from nearly every outlet in the industry. Valo's voice has aged fantastically over the year and the album is a true masterpiece of musicianly as Valo not only sang but performed/wrote every instrumental on the album as well. While not sonically different than much of his previous material with HIM the album showcased new energy that still channeled that classic sound we know from Ville Valo. To paraphrase one of the reviews "listening to it felt like catching up with an old friend you hadn't seen awhile who is doing really well now." Those who have listened to the album will likely understand that take more than those who haven't.

Ville Valo hit the stage just past 9PM as a light purple LED wash of lighting was cast around him and his touring band. Behind them a giant VV illuminated the sold out Theater of Living Arts in Philadelphia that further burst to life as a full fledged heartagram came to life as the show started. To no surprise Valo started with material from his recently released solo album 'Neon Noir.' The crowd burst to life with joy as Valo strutted to the microphone standing and began belting out the haunting lyrics of "Echolocate Your Love" to start the evening off. The anticipation of the crowd reached a fever pitched in the minutes to Valo's arrival to stage and by the end of the first song it had spilled over as the crowd roared with applause - however their excitement would go even higher as Valo and his band moved quickly into the HIM mainstay "The Funeral of Hearts" before dipping back into some new material with the title track, "Neon Noir."

Through out the night Valo paced the set well as he jumped between delivering stunning renditions of classic HIM songs alongside his new solo material in a setlist that felt truly organic. All of the 'Neon Noir' material bled right into the HIM songs in a way that gave both material new life and new ways to shine. While Valo has always been praised for his artistry both on and off the stage there has never been a better era for the musician than the one we are currently experience. Valo on stage has truly never sounded better - from new songs to old songs and even some deeper cuts Valo commanded the stage with his performance. In terms of artistry his work has never been more critical than it is now, the fresh takes on "Neon Noir" cut like a fresh blade into the root of the world we are currently all trying to exist in and his older material with HIM has aged like fine wine with many of the songs possibly being more relevant artistically and lyrically today than when they were released.

Ville Valo has been an artistic force for multiple decades at this point and with each chapter he continues to surprise. 'Neon Noir' may have turned the page for the artist into a new era but that doesn't mean Valo is afraid to look back at the chapters that got him to this point. Valo remains on tour supporting 'Neon Noir' through May - though based on the response to this tour and nearly every date being sold out I'd wager a strong better we see Valo sooner than not back on stage in the state.

Pop Evil celebrate the release of 'Skeletons' with SOLD OUT show in Lititz, Pa

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 16:25:37 GMT

Pop Evil's return to Pennsylvania on the 'Skeletons Tour' came less than a week after the band dropped their new album sharing the same name and they were greeted by a SOLD OUT crowd at Mickey's Black Box. The band is no stranger to the touring scene and has been actively grinding in the genre since 2001 but has found massive success over the past years as Leigh Kakaty and company have truly hit their stride. The 'Skeletons Tour' saw the band bringing their heaviest setlist yet to their fans that even saw a few mosh pits break out during the night. With 7 albums of material behind them at this point Pop Evil has plenty of material to choose from and a glance at the setlist showcased just how many singles of their's have charted at radio over recent years as "Trenches," "Deal With the Devil,"b"Eye of the Storm," "Waking Lions" and many more made the final cut for the fans in Lititz.

Pop Evil are no strangers to live performances and leave it all on the stage whether they are headlining, playing a small support gig or are a part of a massive festival. From start to finish the band commanded the stage at Mickey's Black Box and left the crowd stunned with their incredibly tight performance that had fan singing along with them for the entirety of the set. Through out the night it was easy to see the next chapter of Pop Evil shining bright in the future as the venue allowed them to have a massive stage production that felt more akin to an arena show than a club show. Fresh of the release of "Skeletons" it looks like 2023 is going to be Pop Evil's year with this tour selling out nationwide and singles from the album already tearing up the charts. Pop Evil's climb hasn't been overnight but the journey has made them the band that they are today - and that band is ready to take off to new heights at the rate they going.

Pop Evil

The Skeletons Tour

Mickey's Black Box - Lititz, PA

March 21 2023

The 'Saturno Tour' and Rauw Alejandro touch down for in Reading, PA

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 17:17:39 GMT

Rauw Alejandro has hit the road again in 2023 with the 'Saturno Tour' - one of the largest touring production shows ever produced and he returned to Reading, PA with it. The Santander Arena was packed to capacity for this one of a kind center stage performance that saw Alejandro perform nearly all of his new 'Saturno' album in addition to a strong selection of his greatest hits.

Rauw Alejandro

Saturno Tour

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

March 15, 2023

Skillet return to Reading, PA for 'SOLD OUT' show at Santander Arena

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 19:20:23 GMT

Over the past decade few bands have established themselves in the tour world to the level that Skillet has and their current tour brought them back to Reading, PA for another 'SOLD OUT' show. Skillet are no strangers to the Santander Arena as the band has played the venue nearly a dozen times over the years and headlined the venue in 2022 as part of the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular.

Skillet

The Rock Resurrection Tour

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

February 24, 2023

Get The Led Out return to the Reading, PA for two 'SOLD OUT' shows

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 16:45:37 GMT

Get The Led Out returned to Reading, PA for their annual double shot of unique performances at the Santander Performing Arts Center in early February. The 2023 shows marked the first time the band has sold out the historic downtown venue since 2018 and as such fans were treated to incredibly diverse setlists across the weekend's performances.

Get The Led Out

Annual Double Shot Weekend

Santander Performing Arts Center - Reading, PA

February 17 & 18, 2023

Jay Wheeler's 'Emociones Tour 2023' touches down at the Santander Arena

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 18:34:26 GMT

Jay Wheeler returned to Reading, PA for an encore performance at the Santander Arena as part of his 2023 tour. The 'Emociones Tour' has seen Wheeler skyrocket to new heights as the massive production arrived in the United States for a short run after kicking off with 4 SOLD OUT shows in Puerto Rico a few weeks prior.

Jay Wheeler

Emociones Tour

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

February 16, 2023

Lovelytheband return to Philadelphia on the road to the release of "if we're being honest"

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 19:45:58 GMT

Fresh off the release of their new single "Sail Away" lovelytheband made their return to the area as part of this year's ALT 104.5 Philadelphia brought Winter Jawn back to Xfinity Live. The band recently announced a headlining tour in support of their upcoming release titled "if we're being honest." Lovelytheband will return to Pennsylvania later this summer for a performance at XL Live in Harrisburg.

Lovelytheband

Xfinity Live - Philadelphia, PA

February 4, 2023

All Time Low return to Philadelphia for the ALT 104.5 Winter Jawn

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 19:37:57 GMT

After 4 long years without the annual event ALT 104.5 Philadelphia brought Winter Jawn back to Xfinity Live with the biggest headliner to date as All Time Low made their return to Pennsylvania. The band headlined the annual outdoor concert for a crowd of 10,000 strong on the same day that their recent single "Sleepwalking" claimed the #1 spot on the Alternative radio charts. From start to finish All Time Low reminded their fans why they remain one of the biggest names in the scene as they delivered a flawless performance full of classic hits and new tracks off their upcoming LP.

ALT 104.5 Winter Jawn

featuring All Time Low

Xfinity Live - Philadelphia, PA

February 4, 2023

Nitro Bar in West Reading kicks off 2023 with Selektron & more!

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 19:45:52 GMT

Nitro Bar kicked off 2023 with the venue's first ever rave on the third floor of the venue featuring local artists and headliner Selektron. The new space is being transformed into a venue that will open later this year to host concerts and events of all vanities on the weekends.

New Year's Eve Concert

Selekton

Nitro Bar - West Reading, PA

December 31, 2022

Daddy Yankee makes history at the Santander Arena as the 'Highest Grossing Show' ever in Reading, PA

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 19:28:42 GMT

Daddy Yankee brought his final tour ever to Reading, PA at the Santander Arena for a sold out performance that also marked the highest grossing show the venue has ever hosted in venue history. This show capped off a monumental year of latin concerts at the downtown venue and was requested by the community for years.

Daddy Yankee

The Legendaddy Tour

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

December 10, 2022

Jimmy Eat World, Spoon & Talk come together for one night only at "ALT 104.5 Friendsgiving"

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 18:58:45 GMT

ALT 104.5 Philadelphia made the holiday season a bit more special this year as they brought three of the biggest names in alternative music together for the 'ALT 104.5 Friendsgiving : A Concert for a Cause' sponsored by Family & Company Jewelers & Miller Lite at the XCite Center at the Parx Casino in Bensalem. This year's benefit concert was headlined by Jimmy Eat World who have had a massive year with appearance's at the inaugural 'When We Were Young Festival' as well as large headlining tour of their own that wrapped up earlier this month. Joining them were the recently Grammy nominated alt rockers Spoon and the scene's largest rising star Talk who has found colossal success with his debut single "Run Away to Mars."

100% of ticket sale proceeds from the event went benefit two important Philly charities, both the Morris Animal Refuge , America’s First. Philadelphia’s Forever and Mural Arts Philadelphia , the nation’s largest public art program!

ALT 104.5 Friendsgiving

featuring Jimmy Eat World, Spoon & Talk

Parx Casino - Bensalem, PA

December 8, 2022

I Prevail and Pierce the Veil team up for sold out 'True Power Tour'

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 20:40:31 GMT

I Prevail's 'True Power Tour' with special guests Pierce The Veil, Fit for a King and Stand Atlantic is one of the hottest tours of 2022 to date as it has been selling out nationwide including a recent stop at the Fillmore in Philadelphia.

This powerhouse combination of bands don't hit the road very often - in fact one of the most recent in memory was the House Party Tour from 2013 that saw A Day to Remember, All Time Low, Pierce The Veil and The Wonder Years come together with similar nationwide success. I Prevail have been hot on the touring scene since their historic debut and during that time have established themselves as true staple of the scene with incredible original material. Their massive fanbase, combined with the now Tik Tok infused frenzy that has engulfed Pierce the Veil since their return led this tour to be sold out within minutes of going on sale for most markets. Add in rising stars Fit For a King and newcomers Stand Atlantic and it is easy to see why tickets to the "True Power Tour" were among some of the hardest to score this year (and re-sale tickets are through the roof as well for every market).

Stand Atlantic and Fit For a King kicked the show off with two back to back sets that had the crowd on their feet and a few surfers come over the barricade. Their sets compliment each other well but Fit For a King came to open the mosh pit as their set featured some brutal breakdowns that gave them a bit of an edge with the hardcore fans in the crowd over the pop punk infused set that Stand Atlantic started the show with. Following a brief set change the crowd began to sway with anticipation as Pierce The Veil's massive stage set up appeared and the lights dimmed to a low purple/blue wash.

After taking a few years (and a pandemic) off from touring Pierce The Veil has returned to the scene with two of the best singles of the year ("Pass the Nirvana" and "Emergency Contact") and their fans have been starved to see the band perform live again. The "True Power Tour" marked their return to the touring cycle after they kicked things off with two iconic performances at the When We Were Young Festival in October as well. Early on in the set it was clear that the band was ready to deliver on their absence from touring as the band put on one of the best performances Philadelphias has gotten from them in years. Across 9 songs Pierce the Veil gave fans just enough to keep them wanting more for their yet to be announced headline tour that can be assumed is on the horizon for the band next year. The crowd vibed heavy early on with the new single "Pass The Nirvana" but reached a new level late in the set as the band closed with a trifecta of scene classics that included "Hold on to May," "A March Into Water" and "King for a Day."

I Prevail picked up where Pierce the Veil left on when they hit the stage and doubled down on the insane amount of production as the band was flanked by lasers, a sprawling video wall and blinding strobes that transformed their heavy set into a true work of art. Across 16 songs I Prevail reminded the crowd why they are the headliner of this tour with all the content they have released in the past few years. The mid set appearance of "Hurricane" set the already hyped crowd into a fever pitch and the mosh pits doubled down in size from then on as the band commanded the sold out Philadelphia crowd. As their set began to wind down fans remained in the pit and didn't start filing towards the exits until the end of the night. The "True Power Tour" was a once in a decade tour and as the final note played I Prevail left the stage on a historic night in Philadelphia as they continued forward to wrap this tour up.

AFI return to Philadelphia with the 'Bodies Tour 2022'

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 20:12:58 GMT

After being delayed from 2021 to November of 2022, AFI finally made their way back to the Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia for a career defining performance in the city as part of the 'Bodes Tour 2022.'

Currently on tour suppo rting their 2021 release LP release of 'Bodies,' AFI's tour has seen them completed multiple dates across the country at this point with the setlist never being the same two nights in a row. In addition to their current headline routing the band also made appearances at the inaugural multi-weekend When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. While their festival sets may have been a bit more condensed due to time constrains the rest of the tour has been a master class of artistry as AFI has dug deep in their catalog for some special moments for their patient fans this tour who eagerly awaited these shows for sometime.

AFI fans in Philadelphia were treated to a career spanning setlist at the Franklin Music Hall that set the energy and pace of the evening early as the band dove straight in "Girl's Not Grey' to start off the evening early. The venue was packed to near capacity and the crowd surfers began flowing over early as Davey Havok swung his mic stand across the side on the opening song of the night before he knelt down on a riser to sing to the front row of the frantically excited crowd. Through out the set Havok showcased exactly why he is regarded as one of the best front man in the scene has he commanded the crowd all while jumping, twisting and flying around the stage as if he was still in his 20's.

Across an 18 song setlist AFI gave the fans a little bit of everything from the bigger hits including their 2006 chart topping "Miss Murder" and all the way to some songs that haven't made appearances in the setlist for sometime. These deeper cuts resulted in insane reactions from the audience as the band rattled through a stunning performance of "37mm" for the first time since 2017 earlier on in the night and then surprised the nearly sold out venue again later on with "The Leaving Song," also being played for the first time since 2017.

There is no denying that age has done wonders for all of AFI who continue to put on increasingly impressive performances even has they enter their third decade of existence. Havok's voice shines brighter than ever live and the fans commitment to the show gave the 'Bodies Tour' an energy that the Franklin Music Hall hasn't seen in years. Every moment of the set left a last memory in the massive crowd and there is no doubt that they'll be back for more AFI in Philadelphia as the band's storied touring legacy has brought them to town consistently with each album cycle. Though the wait was longer for this show than many would have liked it was certainly worth it as AFI have never been better than they currently are - and hopefully we will all be saying that again after their next tour as well.

A Day to Remember kick off the party in Las Vegas with 'When We Were Young' Sideshow

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 17:40:00 GMT

On the night before the largest festival the scene has ever witness, A Day to Remember performed an intimate sold out show show at the legendary Pearl Theater Concert Hall at the Palms Casino as an official sideshow for the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Since touring resumed in 2021, A Day to Remember has been had one of the most aggressive they've had touring cycles in years with multiple headline tours including their current "Just Some More Shows" tour run that they are currently about to wrap up. During this time on the road the band has been supporting their most recent full length album "You're Welcome" with numerous songs from the album be included in the set, however they have also been playing their new track "Miracle" on this latest run as well teasing the future of A Day to Remember coming soon.

A Day to Remember took the stage just after 9:30PM to a roar from the sold out crowd that was excited to be seeing their favorite band ahead of kicking off a busy weekend of performances at the When We Were Young Festival. The band's massive production encompassed the entire stage of the Pearl Concert Theater and the concert surely made history as the heaviest show to ever take place in the venue that is normally filled with classic acts on the Vegas Strip. A Day To Remember didn't take long to open up the venue's first mosh pit as the curtain dropped and lead singer Jeremy McKinnon got the crowd moving as he belted out the opening lyrics to "Downfall of Us All."

Across a 16 song main set and 4 song encore, A Day to Remember brought a master piece of a performance to the Las Vegas crowd who sold out the smallest venue of their "Just Some More Shows" tour this fall. With such a long catalogue in their arsenal at this point full of a combination of ballads, heavy hitters and insane breakdowns it came as no surprise that the band was able to weave together a set that gave fans of all eras a little bit of something special. An early highlight in their tour's set was an energetic play through of "Shot in the Dark" that had Jeremy McKinnon sprinting the length of the stage multiple times as Neil Westfall and Kevin Skaff joined him multiple times on the walk way during their guitar parts.

Through out the set the band was illuminated with stunning imagery on a gigantic LED screen that compliment every song, especially during the massive sing-a-long late in the set when the band played "If It Means A Lot to You" at the start of their encore. Through out the years A Day to Remember has grown from "just another Warped Tour band" into the best band the scene has to offer in terms of live performances. McKinnon's vocals come to life in new ways live and the "Just Some More Shows" tour was no exception as he has never sounded better vocally than on this tour. From the brutal breakdowns of "2nd Sucks" all the way to the sprawling chorus of "Degenerates" and to the final note of the "Plot to Bomb the Panhandle" to end the night - McKinnon (and the rest of A Day to Remember) showcased exactly why they quickly out grew the club circuit and became the band they are today selling out arenas nationwide.

From the moment the When We Were Young Festival was announced it took the internet by storm and was set to be an iconic weekend for the scene as it sold out in minutes across multiple days and weekends. With all of that hype and anticipation when the official side shows began to get announced there simply was no better band from the festival's impressive line up to kick the weekend off with than A Day to Remember. This band has been there for the scene says day one and that Friday night in Vegas was a celebration of two decades of the band and their fans being together. A Day to Remember made us all feel young again that night with their performance, and will continue doing so for the rest of the year on the remainder of their "Just Some More Shows" tour before hitting the road again in December for an acoustic tour. What's next after that? Who knows but we guarantee it will involve some breakdowns, mosh pits and crowd surfers with A Day to Remember continuing to grow their legacy as one of the best to do it on stage in the scene.

Walker Hayes gets "Fancy Like" with SOLD OUT show at Santander Arena in Reading, PA

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 18:02:00 GMT

Walker Hayes has hit the road for his largest tour to date and his "Glad You're Here Tour" wrapped through Reading, Pennsylvania for a sold out show at the Santander Arena. The show, which was the arena's first sold out country event since before the pandemic, also was at the time Walker Hayes largest headlining date that he had performed in his career.

Walker Hayes

Glad to Be Here Tour

Santander Arena - Reading, PA

October 7, 2022

Firefly Music Festival Celebrates 10 Years in Dover, Delaware

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 17:39:24 GMT

Firefly Music Festival Day 1

September 22, 2022

Firefly Music Festival Day 2

September 23, 2022

Firefly Music Festival Day 3

September 24, 2022

Firefly Music Festival Day 4

September 25, 2022

Greta Van Fleet ascend to the top with the 'Dreams in Gold Tour'

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 00:41:54 GMT

After their historic and unprecedented explosion into the rock world in 2017, Greta Van Fleet have finally achieved their grandiose vision of of bringing back the "golden era" of rock n' roll revelry to a new generation with the "Dreams in Gold Tour."

From their first EP to their latest album Greta Van Fleet have collectively turned heads and ruffled feathers within the rock world as their music captivated a new generation while simultaneously giving fueled to keyboard warriors across the internet. The band remained stead fast with their creative vision and the dedication to their art rewarded them with some of the most passionate fans in the rock world. Together the band and their fans continued to prove the nay sayers wrong as show after show and soon tour after tour sold out as they climbed to the top. Greta Van Fleet have captured a fan base in just a few short years that many bands struggle to achieve in their entire career all made possible by their continued focus on creating music that both they (and their fans) wanted the most. The "Dreams in Gold Tour" at the PPL Center in Allentown, PA was a celebration, a gathering and an experience - made possible not only by the band's performance but the crowd's dedication to the night from start to finish.

Fans began lining up as early as a full day and a half before the concert - camping out over night even when another show was taking place in the PPL Center the night before. By the time the band was set to take the stage at 9PM the crowd's anticipation had grown into a fever pitch. A massive banner was sprawled across the front of the stage during set change full of illustrative logos from the band's most recent album - it also served to cover up the incredible stage production for a massive reveal.

Through out the show it was impossible to not get caught up in the excitement both on and off the stage. As the night progressed the band made sure to have many iconic interactions with fans across the barricade including even doing a few shots towards the end of the night. While there was no denying that it was 2022 and a simple glance at the cell phones in the crowd confirmed that most of the evening felt like a rock show from a bygone era. Fans sang the words to every songs, danced when the time came and roared for every solo the band gave them during the night. You would be hard pressed to find a better show in rock right now and that is why Greta Van Fleet catapulted from the club circuit after just one tour and straight into the arenas they belong in. Their show, now fully executed, was massive with pyro, gigantic lighting rigs and more that only added to their larger than life rockstar status.

It is hard to say where Greta Van Fleet will be in 5 years as they've risen so quickly in less time than that - one thing is for certain is that they are going to keep climbing the mountain they are on. What's left for them? Stadiums? Multiple date performances in cities? Week long residencies? Only time will tell and we should all now by now that Greta Van Fleet will change the history of rock with whatever comes next for them.

Bret Michaels brings 'Nothing But a Good Vibe Tour' to Wilkes Barre

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 19:39:55 GMT

Fresh off the summer 'Stadium Tour' with Poison in support of Def Leppard and Motley Crue; Bret Michaels is back on the road with his solo band playing for massive crowds across the country. The tour wrapped through his home state of Pennsylvania on Friday, September 30 for a very special outdoor performance at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes Barre.

Bret Michaels

Nothing But a Good Vibe Tour

Mohegan Sun Pocono - Wilkes Barre

September 30, 2022

Shinedown brings 'Planet Zero' to Camden on a Sunday Night

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 15:10:33 GMT

Shinedown continues to make history with each performance they bring through the area as the band's return in support of Planet Zero came just days after they celebrated their record-holding 19 ^th #1 at Active Rock Radio with current single "Daylight"

The legacy of Shinedown is no secret at this point and the band is destined for a large exhibit at the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland before their saga is complete. In just 20 years the band has 10 million records, released over 20 singles that have all charted in the top 5 and continues to pull further into the lead as the Greatest of All Time Mainstreams Rock Artists as ranked by Billboard. Shinedown is currently back on the road for the second leg of their tour in support of their chart topping album "Planet Zero" and now that the album has been released they are bringing fans even closer to the fictional (yet scarily real) world they've created on this record.

Shinedown took to the stage shortly past 9PM and their massive stage production slowly began to flicker to life as was used on the first leg of the tour. Cryptic alien symbols flashed on the screen after a lengthy video detailing the band's pre and post pandemic adventures, suddenly an AI appeared and the Freddom Mortgage Pavilion was transported all at once to "Planet Zero" itself as the band walked out on stage to the roar of the packed amphitheater crowd.

Shinedown delivered 18 songs for the massive crowd and each song had fans out of their seats singing on the top of their lungs. It truly is no secret how they became the best and most important rock band of the century - their artistry and connection with fans not only empowers their music but transforms their live performances as well. At this point in their career the band has entered "Pearl Jam" territory with some singles and amazing tracks not being able to make the set on every tour due to the ever growing catalog of commercial singles. The band does their best to accomodate all sectors of their fanbase however as numerous fan favorites and stellar deep cuts were crafted into another perfect setlist from Shinedown including a rare performance of "The Crow in the Butterfly." During the set the band did a touching tribute to the victims of 9/11 that included a moment of silence before the band performed "Better Man" with special guest Jelly Roll on the stage. Behind them a massive depiction of the Twin Towers was rendered across and American flag as the band sang along.

With the release of "Planet Zero" behind them now Shinedown continue to etch their names into the history books of not only rock music but contemporary music as a whole. With each single the band moves further ahead of the pack of their fellow artists and have begun to put the name Shinedown amongst the realm of legends like The Beatles, Rolling Stones & more. Shinedown have proven they not only deserve the title of "best rock band of all time" but also that they aren't done yet as they have entered the most creative and innovate era of their legacy. Get ready - "Planet Zero" is coming up just around the corner.

Blackbear brings the 'nothing matters tour' to Philadelphia

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 18:19:18 GMT

Less than a week after his release of "nothing matters," Blackbear has hit the roared touring in support of the release across the United States and stopped in Philadelphia for an iconic performance at the Fillmore.

The past few years have meteoric for Blackbear as he popularity was one the rise in the months leading into the pandemic and continued to rise during the long pause in touring. His songs went from being on the fringe of popularity in the scene to being front and center as they were used million of times on Tik Tok & other places. Shortly after Blackbear stayed on everyone's mind as he collaborated on several songs with Machine Gun Kelly across his two highly successful pop punk inspired albums. Fast forward to September of 2022 and Blackbear is not only at the forefront of the genre but is also enjoying new found happiness on a personal level as he celebrates his sobriety. Prior the start of the tour Blackbear did several high profile press hits including a performance on James Corden's Late Show to spotlight the single "Toxic Energy." Every music site in America has something to say about this unique artist and his fans seem ravenous to learn more about their favorite artists as every article on social becomes a real time message board between fans.

Blackbear's "nothing matters tour" in Philadelphia was a cutting edge spectacle of visual and lighting overload, combined with a near perfect vocal performance from him that sent the crowd into a fever dream all night. At a glance the 28 song setlist seems like a simple discography spanning live experience but. close look at the show spotlights the creative thought Blackbear put into constructed this show for his fans.

The night started off with massive LED screens bursting to life as he and his band quickly ran through a handful of songs including "queen of broken hearts, "chateau" and "Memory." The set was structured like an emotional rollercoaster as things started off at the peak with everyone in full party mode before things took a dip back into a low energy (yet still exciting) acoustic jam of some of Blackbear's most emotional songs including "idfc."

The night would follow this rise and fall set up through out the entire evening and even included a stellar set of "features" that Blackbear has been on in the past few years that were a lot of fun to visit during his show. As the night went on the crowd, most of whom were wearing Blackbear tour merch, had the time of their lives - often singing so loudly it was louder than the venue's sound system.

Blackbear is one of the scenes greatest rising stars right now and his Philadelphia showcased the multi-dimensional artist that he truly is. From the studio where he records some of the most raw and real lyrical content of the decade to the stage where he gives his fans a once in a life time experience - few can match his creative output. We are early in the "nothing matters" era but if the past two weeks are any indication the sky is the limit for Blackbear.

Mod Sun leaves Fillmore in 'Flames' after SOLD OUT show

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 18:00:27 GMT

Mod Sun's return the spotlight has been nothing short of historic as the rapper turned pop punk iconic hit the stage at the Fillmore in Philadelphia for a performance to sold out crowd supporting Blackbear on his 'nothing matters' tour.

M od Sun

Touring supporting Blackbear

The Fillmore - Philadelphia

September 8, 2022

Falling in Reverse take over Arenas on the 'Rockzilla Tour'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 17:05:16 GMT

Falling in Reverse's meteoric climb continued this summer as the band made the jump from the club circuit to an arena headliner with the nearly sold out "Rockzilla Tour." The band's domination of the radio and streaming charts translated into reality as the Santander Arena in Reading was packed to capacity on a Tuesday night for the band's performance in Reading, PA.

Falling in Reverse

Rockzilla Summer Tour 2022

Santander Arena

August 2, 2022

Collective Soul and Switchfoot Unite for 2022 Summer Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 20:50:38 GMT

Two of the biggest bands to come out of the 1990's have teamed up for one of the biggest summer tours of the year as Collective Soul and Switchfoot are traveling across the country together for massive crowds.

Collective Soul are a mainstay of the summer touring season as their run last year coming out of the pandemic was an iconic tour for the band, this year the band has raised the bar bringing Switchfoot out for the summer long trek to varying size venues through out the country.

The two bands hit a relatively new venue and market for their recent stop in Pennsylvania as the tour wrapped through Grantville, Pennsylvania for a Saturday night show at the Hollywood Casino's brand new outdoor stage. With both bands known for their incredible and technically impressive live performances fans were treated to an even better live experience as the casino's brand new stage was not only massive but featured state of the art sound and lighting - in addition to both band's touring lighting/backdrops. It was a perfect summer evening as the sun began to set across the stage as Switchfoot was the first of the two band's to get the crowd in Grantville of their feet and rocking in the sun.

Across a career spanning set Switchfoot gave the crowd a performance to remember as Jon Foreman left the stage numerous times to sing with the fans and even invited a young fan up early in the night to play guitar with them on "Stars." As the sun continued to set behind the stage the band began to glow golden as the haze cast around them on the stage created a beautiful visual for their already powerful set of songs. Fans were engaged through out the night but the close of the set is where things came alive as the crowd belted out the choruses of "Dare You To Move" and "Meant to Live" on the top of their lungs nearly overpowering the sound system at points. As the band left the stage with a triumphant bow fans made their way for snacks, beers and water during the quick set change to recharge for round two of this rock n' roll double header.

Just past 9:15 the stage lighting dramatically shifted and Collective Soul's gigantic logo banner was illuminated in the minutes that lead up to their arrival on stage - the crowd roared with approval as the banner came into full view on the massive outdoor stage. Led by Roland, Collective Soul ran through a powerful set that was heavily front loaded to get the crowd up off their feet and partying early on as their colossal hits "Heavy" and "Shine" were played within the first few songs of the night. By the time that "December" was played later in the set it was clear that fans were being treated to a once in a lifetime night under rising summer moon and they began to spill out from their seats into the aisles to sing together. Roland and the band embraced the chaos and continued on with their set seemingly even more inspired than before as the venue embraced a true rock n' roll spirit.

As the night came to an end the crowd departed Grantville, PA both satisfied with yet another stellar performance from Collective Soul and treated to an equally stellar performance from Switchfoot. The past year has been a whirlwind as shows have returned and it has brought artists and fans closer to ever as beautiful summer moments like this evening hit a little bit harder after we all went without them for so long.

But, live music is back and for the second summer in a row Collective Soul have dominated the touring circuit and we'd bet we see them rocking a stage again next summer to massive crowds - yet again.

The Struts return to Downtown London, UK

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 16:50:06 GMT

The Struts returned across the pond the other direction this time as the band hit the United Kingdom and beyond for the first time in over 3 years. Fans wrapped around the street hours in advance of doors at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in downtown London as the return of The Struts had been long awaited in their home country.

The Struts

Live in London

O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire

July 14, 2022

Machine Gun Kelly defies expectations on the SOLD OUT 'Mainstream Sellout' Tour

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 20:10:21 GMT

On the night before the release of his documentary "Life in Park" on Hulu, Machine Gun Kelly headlined Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey for yet another massive sold out show on the 'Mainstream Sellout' Tour.

Machine Gun Kelly's rise to the top of the touring and billboard charts has been nothing short of meteoric and the already polarizing musician attracted a lot of attention during his pop-punk revival journey. MGK has become an icon with the pop punk scene leading the revival of the genre from the release of 'Tickets to My Downfall' in 2021 and recent follow up album release of 'Mainstream Sellout.' The explosion in popularity has also brought unwarranted negative attention to the musician as fellow artists and countless individuals across social media have lashed out at the singer's new career path. MGK remained steadfast though with the art he has been creating and even addressed some of the "drama" within songs on his most recent release - most importantly MGK's fans have remained as loyal as always supporting this "pink" era for the singer with record album sales and ticket sales for concerts.

The 32 year old rap turned rocker is no stranger to touring and his creativity extends being the songs with the 'Mainstream Sellout' Tour. From the production to the setlist and even the extremely curated merchandise being offered MGK has crafted an artistic experience for fans from the minute they enter the venue for the show. Across 90 minutes Machine Gun Kelly took the sold out crowd at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on a 27 song journey that focused heavily on the pop-punk genre he revived but also stayed true to his roots with a few of his biggest rap songs in the mix.

The set was a dramatic story of the past fews years in the life of Machine Gun Kelly that saw him start the show by breaking free from his "box" before taking the stage via pink helicopter - this was just the beginning of the story. MGK ran through song after song that had the crowd off their feet either singing or rapping along to every verse. The crowd's nonstop participation left MGK emotional on a few occasions and he was quick to constantly thank the crowd for their support of the years during the show numerous times. Without spoiling too much of the narrative Machine Gun Kelly has woven into the set fans will be familiar with a lot of the stories he presents within the framing of the setlist as he fights a giant "internet" robot that invades the stage. While MGK framed the message of not letting the internet (or anyone) limit what you want to do with his story he did a great job at making that message relatable to the sold out crowd as well - all while blending the songs of 'Mainstream Sellout' and 'Tickets to My Downfall' into it.

Machine Gun Kelly remains aware of the pop-punk legacy that inspired his two colossal albums and the influence of Travis Barker, Blink-182 and so many more can be felt within the stage design despite it remaining distinctly MGK in style. The 'Mainstream Sellout' Tour is without a doubt one of the must see tours of the summer and fall with Machine Gun Kelly reigning supreme at the top of creative food pyramid right now. In a span of 3 years MGK has not only revived in an entire genre and taken it to new heights but has become a cultural icon in the process. The SOLD OUT show in Camden was just another milestone in his career - one thing is for sure NONE of us no one what Machine Gun Kelly has in store for us next and that is exactly what makes him the generational artist he is.

Nekromantix bring the metal to Nitro Bar in West Reading

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 15:25:49 GMT

West Reading has quickly grown into one of the hottest small cities in the state of Pennsylvania and as a result has a developing music scene starting to form downtown. Nitro Bar hosted the Danish metal band Nekromantix for a performance outside of their bar area for one of the first outdoor ticket events that the city has ever hosted. The historic event drew a sizable crowd of metal fans interested in being a part of this non-traditional summer show set in front of the venue's parking garage.

Nekromantix

Live in West Reading

Nitro Bar

June 11, 2022

The Struts come 'Across The Pond' for 'SOLD OUT' Show at XL LIVE

Tue, 31 May 2022 15:36:09 GMT

The Struts returned to Pennsylvania on Memorial Day weekend for the 'Across the Pond' tour and became the latest band to sell out at XL Live as part of the concert series produced by Harrisburg University Presents.

The Struts are no strangers to Pennsylvania as the British rock band have played the state since their early days from festival appearances at Made in America, radio sponsored shows with ALT 104.5 in Philadelphia, a free concert in Downtown Reading and of course multiple performances at XL Live in Harrisburg. Through out their growing career The Struts have been compared to many bands but the most important adjective that can be used to describe the band is revolutionary. While the United Kingdom may not have been in tune with the band during their emerging years the United States has never had a greater need for raw rock n’ roll music like the band offers; not to mention the fact that every single song is infectiously fun and catchy.

The band's latest tour was a short run of dates through the month of May that brought them back to a handful of very special venues and the majority of the shows were sold out as their fans were eager to see the band in such intimate venues. The Struts' XL Live return was once again sold out and the band became the first "three-peat" artist to hit the stage as part of the Harrisburg University Presents concert series in the venue.

While in reality it was the final weekend of May, it felt like a true summer evening as XL Live was packed to capacity and the large garage doors were opened to their sprawling outside bar to allow some cool air to fill the sold out venue. The Struts hit the stage just past 9PM and in true "Struts" fashion arrived with a bit of glam, fashion and on this night a memorable surprise for all fans in attendance. The stage was set with a plentiful amount of color LEDS that washed over the 'Union Jack' that had burst to life on the XL Live video wall behind the stage. All at once the band ran onto the stage to the roar of the crowd as they stage illuminated into a rainbow of color as they kicked the party off with a powerful rendition of "Primadonna Like Me." Luke Spiller worked the crowd in master fashion, behind him on the drums Gethin Davies was perched behind his giant Welsh flag in traditional fashion and to Spiller's left Jed Elliot was laying down the bass as effortfully as always - but to his right fans were treated to a special guest appearance from Philadelphia legend and guitarist Nick Perri on lead guitar who was filling in for Adam Slack on the last few dates of the tour. As The Struts moved quickly into "Body Talks" it became clear that fans were in for a unique and incredible show as Perri had not only done his homework on the material but brought his own signature sound to the stage as well.

The Struts' 15 song set at XL Live took fans across their entire discography and was filled with the mainstays fans have come to expect from their shows (and then some as the band included some deeper cuts). As the set progressed later into the night the sold out crowd didn't falter as the already warm venue began to swelter with the heat of the night. The Struts kept the crowd dancing as they powered through for a set of incredible moments including some shining highlight performances of "Dirty Sexy Money," "Wild Child" and "I Do It So Well."

Luke Spiller has always been an impressive front man for The Struts but the 'Across the Pond' tour has seen him rise to new heights as he took his masterful art of crowd interaction to new levels. Spiller's renewed energy combined his flawless vocal delivery in Harrisburg propelled the performance to a top tier list amongst the band's many appearances in Pennsylvania across the years.

The evening came to a crashing end as the band ended things on a high note as "Could Have Been Me" had the entire crowd in a fever - before leaving the stage Luke Spiller shouted to the crowd in tradition to "Remember the Name, The Struts" and the crowd filed out of the venue into the night.

Harrisburg University Presents and XL Live continue to remain at the forefront of the alternative scene in Pennsylvania. The collaboration of these two powerhouses has transformed the market and made Harrisburg a "must play" market - as well as a "must return" for many acts including The Struts. The summer concert series was officially kicked off with this show and The Struts set the bar incredible high for the months to come for fans.

Don't miss the next big show, be sure to follow XL Live and Harrisburg University Presents on Facebook for all announcements and visit their websites for tickets to all upcoming events.

Breaking Benjamin deliver a 'SOLD OUT' home-state show in Reading, PA

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 09 May 2022 19:35:21 GMT

Breaking Benjamin returned to the Santander Arena in Reading, PA for a headline performance nearly 5 years after their last stop in the market. The band is currently on a headlining tour prior to the start of festival season that has seen many of their performances take place for sold out crowds across the country. The Pennsylvania band was greeted "home" by one of the largest crowds the Reading, PA venue has hosted in it's 20 year history.

Breaking Benjamin

Spring Tour 2022

Santander Arena

April 30, 2022

'The Revolution's Live Tour' hits Hershey with Shinedown, The Pretty Reckless and Diamante

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 22:18:25 GMT

Shinedown's return to Pennsylvania on their Spring 2022 headlining tour arrived just weeks after the band made history with "Planet Zero" becoming their 18th #1 single - further cementing their legacy as the greatest rock band of the generation.

Over the past decade Shinedown has consistently risen to the top of the rock charts and outshined their peers with each release the band puts out and subsequently on the tour supporting. Across this time period the band has sold over 10 million records, released over 20 singles that have all charted in the top 5 and as of 2022 made history as they pulled ahead of the pack to be ranked #1 by Billboard on the Greatest of All Time Mainstreams Rock Artists. Shinedown is currently back on the road on 'The Revolution's Live Tour' and celebrating the recent success that their single "Planet Zero" has brought them despite their upcoming album of the same name being delayed until July due to some production issues. This small delay hasn't impacted the tour as multiple dates, including their stop at the Giant Center in Hershey, were sold out on one of their biggest and most production tours to date in their career.

Joining Shinedown on 'The Revolution's Live Tour' were the established and increasingly popular special guest The Pretty Reckless helmed by Taylor Momsen and the relatively newcomer to the scene, Diamante. Both support artists shared and utilized the massive stage that Shinedown has constructed for this tour which gave them an incredible amount of production to work into their performance as well as usage of the massive thrust that cut the general admission crowd of the venue in half. Diamante was the first to take to the stage and did so with a flash as her diamond-esque jumpsuit burst to life with light as the spotlights illuminated her arrival in Hershey.

The 25 year old rocker is no stranger to the touring circuit and has built a strong reputation with her live performances early in her career after being on the road previously with Three Days Grace and more. Diamante's 7 song set gave the crowd a good taste of her style of rock n' roll and she had the crowd on the floor moving early with a few heavier tracks during the performance. Fans hit the concourse following her set in hopes to grab a selfie with her at the merch booth after the set and a good number of them picked up some swag while they were there as well as Diamante made new fans in Hershey that night. While it may be awhile before she return's to the Giant Center on her own as a headliner it is safe to say based on her performance that she's going to be continuing to make a name for herself in the rock world as she already has in just a few brief years.

Following a quick set change of seemingly less than 15 minutes; the massive stage was flooded with haze and dimly illuminate with purple lighting as The Pretty Reckless logo slowly faded onto the LED screens. The crowd's anticipation for the start of this support set was the first indication that the show that night Hershey was going to be a very special one for all of the band's on the tour. Taylor Momsen was greeted by the roar of thousands as The Pretty Reckless kicked their set off with stellar cover of Soundgarden's "Loud Love." A fitting tribute to the great Chris Cornell and a a respectful to the last chapter in the band's touring history as they were out on the road with Soundgarden when Cornell tragically passed.

Taylor Momsen is a veteran artist at this point when it comes to live performances and the stage set up on 'The Revolution's Live Tour' is among the biggest the band has ever performed on. The increased space gave Momsen a lot of real-estate to perform in and allowed her to command the crowd as the true front woman she is with a masterful performance. Through out the band's 10 song set Momsen made her way down the thrust constantly, slid across a large metal section in the middle and even crawled along the floor at one point all while delivering impressive vocal performances. Supporting her were the incredible bandmates she has shared the stage with in The Pretty Reckless for the last few years including guitarist Ben Phillips who laid down multiple flawless guitar riffs during the set.

Shinedown arrived to the stage shortly past 9PM and their massive stage production slowly began to flicker to life. Prior to the band's dramatic walk out the sold out arena was transported back to 2019 as a video played on their massive video wall showcasing the tail end of the 'Attention! Attention! Tour.' However that video, much like our lives following, was cut short as it ended 2020 and the pandemic began - from there things progressed until 2021 when the video (and the night) took a thematic turn. Cryptic alien symbols flashed on the screen, an AI appeared and the Giant Center was taken from 2022 and transported to "Planet Zero" as Shinedown emerged from behind their video wall and kicked the show with their new song "The Saints of Violence and Innuendo."

Through 19 songs Shinedown reminded the massive crowd exactly how they became the best and most important rock band of the century - their artistry. With their massive catalog of commercial singles, fan favorites and stellar deep cuts Shinedown has more material to craft a setlist from then any artist touring yet somehow they landed on a perfect mix for 'The Revolution's Live Tour.' Their record breaking single "Planet Zero" made in early appearance in the set as did a yet to be released track "Daylight" as the band focused heavily on the material that got them to the massive stage they are performing on today.

Brent Smith yet again delivered a masterful vocal performance across all songs but shined brightest on the heavy "Monsters" while pyro engulfed the stage around him - the soaring ballad of "Get Up" was a close second to this epic moment. Aside him Zach Myers continued to do what he does best and shredded on guitar all night long, in addition to being the mastermind who designed their current tour production as was revealed later in the show. Eric Bass and Barry Kerch provided the crucial heavy backbone to the performance and when all combined fans were treated to the masterpiece of live performance that is a Shinedown concert. After 18 number one singles it has become clearer that we are living in an era of rock that may never be repeated and there is no doubt that Shinedown's fans have embraced as they gave the band all of their energy during the set.

With the proper release of the full length "Planet Zero" still on the horizon there is no doubt that Shinedown will continue to shatter the ceiling of the records they are setting as they truly exist on a planet of their own in rock n' roll. Pennsylvania fans were treated to a once in a lifetime performance at the Giant Center with this show and are lucky enough that the tour will circle back through Camden, New Jersey later this year on the second leg. Shinedown has proven they not only deserve the title of "best rock band of all time" but also that they aren't done yet as they have entered the most creative and innovate era of their legacy. Get ready - "Planet Zero" is coming up just around the corner.

Badflower and '68 come together to hit Lititz for 'SOLD OUT' show at Mickey's Black Box

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 16:34:07 GMT

Badflower were welcomed to a sold out show in their return to the area as their spring tour come to the brand new Mickey's Black Box venue located on the Rock Lititz campus. The state of the art club venue made for an iconic atmosphere for this show as the band's production and incredible house sound made for a top tier rock experience. Badflower was joined at this sold out tour date on their 'This is How The World Continues Tour' by '68 who are helmed by Josh Scogin, formerly of The Chariot.

Badflower and '68

This Is How The World Continues Tour

Mickey's Black Box

Produced by Big Fan Presents

April 8, 2022

Slipknot bring 'SOLD OUT' Knotfest Roadshow to Santander Arena

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 13:11:43 GMT

After 7 years since their last performance in Reading, PA, Slipknot returned to the Santander Arena on the Knotfest Roadshow 2022 for a record setting sold out metal show during the venue's 20th Anniversary Season. Slipknot delivered a two hour set for fans in Berks County that spanned their entire career and focused on many deep cut tracks that fans haven't heard live in years.

Slipknot

Knotfest Roadshow Tour 2022

Santander Arena

April 2, 2022

The Maine return to XL Live in Harrisburg on 'XOXO Tour'

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 23:38:01 GMT

Less than a year after The Maine rolled through XL Live in Harrisburg supporting All Time Low the band returned to the venue for a headline performance produced by Harrisburg University Presents.

The Maine are no strangers to the touring circuit and have established themselves as mainstays in many markets across the country since they burst onto the scene in 2007. With each passing touring the band has continued to refine their live concert in experience into the well polished product it is today. The band is currently on the road supporting the 2021 release of 'XOXO: From Love and Anxiety in Real Time' as their return to Harrisburg marked the rough midpoint of this tour for the band. While in many markets a return this soon to the stage of XL Live would be unconventional, The Maine proved that the market was ready for more as the band packed the venue on a Thursday night.

Harrisburg University Presents has fostered the city into a true alternative market on the East coast and The Maine's late March 31, 2022 marked another milestone for the rising star promoters and venue in Harrisburg. The band's massive production amount of product filled the stage and the band's arrival was met with a burst of lighting fit for an arena.

The intimate stage at XL Live allowed The Maine to be even closer to the fans which made for an incredible duality through out the show as the band performed to a full dance floor only feet away from the first row and barely much higher than any of them. After kicking the night of strong with their most recent single "Sticky," the band moved quickly into an 18 song setlist that kept the crowd dancing and surfers coming over the barricade through out the performance. John O'Callaghan was kept busy all night as he made an effort to fist bump as many crowd surfers as he could when security was catching them at the barricade, all while delivering a stunning vocal performance. Alongside him on the tiny stage of XL Live, Jared Monaco and Garrett Nickelsen worked the crowd through out each song and somehow managed to avoid colliding into each other as they ran from side to side while playing.

Fans of all eras of The Maine were elated with the band's career spanning setlist in Harrisburg as mainstay favorites made the final list alongside new material which even included "Loved You A Little" featuring Charlotte Sands, who is out on tour supporting the band on this run. The Maine have been busy since their return to touring following the pandemic and are set to continue an upward trend as the band is set for some major appearances yet in 2022.

From the intimate stage of XL Live to the ir upcoming festival dates on the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas amongst emo and scene royalty, The Maine continue to prove that they are more relevant than ever in a genre crowded with competition. The 'XOXO Tour' hit all the marks of an incredible night out for casual and diehard fans alike as the band's technical performance led the way during the night with a stunning performance. From the fever inducing chorus of "Diet Soda Society" to the deafening sing a long on "Black Butterflies and Déjà Vu;" The Maine delivered (once again) for their fans in Pennsylvania. The performance was elevated even higher when coupled with their masterful usage of lighting and visual effects across the stage during the night that few bands have brought to the venue.

Harrisburg University Presents and XL Live out did themselves once again by booking this one, one can only imagine what they'll have in store next for fans in the market. One thing however is certain, 2022 is the year of The Maine and it is only just getting started for them. We are all just lucky to be a part of it with this intimate and one of a kind show on their tour.

Skillet return to Reading for Winter Jam 2022

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 19:43:48 GMT

The return to touring brought back the annual Winter Jam tour to the Santander Arena in Reading, PA and with it the return of Skillet who headlined the downtown venue for the 5th time in the career. Skillet recently released their new album "Dominion" to critic and commercial success early on in the tour which has helped to drive Winter Jam attendance back to strong numbers after a few years on the decline. The band is currently scheduled for a run of major festival throughout America and Europe this summer.

Skillet

Winter Jam 2022

Santander Arena

March 17, 2022

Oliver Tree brings Sueco and 347Aidan for 'Sold Out' show in Philadelphia

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 19:34:10 GMT

Oliver Tree's 'Cowboy Tears' tour rolled through Philadelphia after selling out weeks in advance for an iconic (and insane) sold out performance at the Fillmore that included sets from special guests Sueco and 347Aidan.

While Oliver Tree may be "newer" the alternative touring world his legacy as both a studio musician and live performer is already years ahead of his age as Tree has pioneered an artistic image unlike any other. Before Tik Tok gave artists an avenue to truly do whatever they wanted for digital content Oliver Tree launched his persona and has continued to grow it in the years that have followed. Now on tour in support of his country and alternative mash up album 'Cowboy Tears,' Tree has performed mostly sold out shows nationwide to his fans.

Joining Oliver Tree on this tour were rising stars 347Aidan and Sueco who grew to new heights with their recent material as well as success on Tik Tok during the pandemic when there was a pause in touring. 347Aidan is widely known for his song "Dancing In My Room" that spent multiple weeks as a top song on the platform but his recent EP also charted well on streaming charts. The young artist was a bit under the weather for the performance in Philadelphia he explained but it didn't keep him from delivered a great set to a crowd that was clearly eager to see him as they arrived very early in the night to catch the set.

Sueco took the stage shortly after for a set that was a non stop punk banger from start to finish that saw him diving into the crowd multiple times and even at one point getting lost in the mosh pit of the crowd. In the past year Sueco has had numerous songs climb the alternative charts and feature on streaming playlists including "SOS" (featuring Travis Barker, "Paralyzed" and most recently "Loser." His new album 'It Was Fun While It Lasted' was released during the run of this tour and it peaked at Number 1 on the alternative streaming charts briefly beating out Avril Lavigne. Sueco's set was as fun as the album itself is and while not technically perfect he delivered a true rock performance even going as far as smashing a guitar during the middle of the set. For an artist on his first tour ever Sueco shined brightest when he was having fun on stage and showcased a lot of potential to dominate the touring world as he has with the streaming world in the past year as his 30 minute set kept the crowd dancing from start to finish.

Oliver Tree's arrival to the stage was met with a thunderous roar from the crowd as he told them to get their hands up as he danced across the stage and kicked off the night with his cover of Getter's "Forget You." For those in attendance the show played out as vividly as an action movie mashed with a love drama and explaining what an Oliver Tree show is to the unfamiliar music fan is truly impossible. Tree quickly jumped into a performance of "Alien Boy" that caused the crowd to surge with excitement as he did multiple rounds of his borderline trademarked dances across the stage. At times you'd have expected the show to slow down for Oliver Tree to catch his breathe but it was in these moments things only got more insane as cows were brought out on to the stage, little motorcycles appeared and even toilet paper was sent across the stage for an "emergency" bathroom break.

A lot of artists have played the Fillmore in Philadelphia, possibly thousands at this point, but none of them are Oliver Tree. In an alternative genre that is increasingly competitive Tree has created a niche that is truly all his own and at the same time created some amazing art that deserves to be recognized as among the best in the scene. Vocally Tree delivered flawless performances of all of his "hits" and a dozen more songs from his albums that were both entertainingly remade into their live renditions. Highlights of the set certainly included the lead single "Cowboy Tears" but some deeper cuts like "Cigarettes" and "Miracle Man" also shined bright in the lengthy set that Tree brought for Philadelphia.

Across 20 songs Oliver Tree took the sold out crowd at the Fillmore Philadelphia on a musical journey out of this planet and be the time he returned them back to Earth they were exhausted from singing and dancing all night. There is only one Oliver Tree and his trajectory is only upwards from here as it has been since his debut. If you missed the 'Cowboy Tears' tour you missed a once in a life time experience of a show with killer support - until Oliver Tree decides to hit the road again and outdoes himself as he has time and time again.

Farruko delivers pure artistry on the 'LA167 Tour'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 17:14:44 GMT

The lead up to Farruko's arrival in Reading, PA was rife with controversy following a click bait article published by Billboard following his performance in Miami. Despite this the show remained on as scheduled and Farruko delivered a master class performance that not only disproved the rumors but established him as one of the best performers in the genre to perform at the Santander Arena. The show followed the story of his life, the choices he's made and the new chapter he is entering - all while delivering hits from his career as well new material yet to be released. Artistry is a non-linear path when it comes to live performances and Farruko's new chapter is pushing the boundaries of what has been done within the genre.

Farruko

LA167 Tour

Santander Arena

February 25, 2022

Whiskey Myers' 'Sold Out' Show in Downtown Reading

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 17:02:12 GMT

The Santander Performing Arts Center was packed to capacity for Whiskey Myers on the 'Is A Comin' Tour' as the band added yet another 'SOLD OUT' show to their impressive touring history. The venue is celebrating it's 20th Anniversary and this show marked its first sold out event of 2022.

Whiskey Myers

Is A Comin' Tour

Santander Performing Arts Center

February 20, 2022

Falling in Reverse bring 'Live From the Unknown' to the Fillmore

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 22:21:41 GMT

Ronnie Radke and Falling in Reverse are no strangers to the Philadelphia market and their return to the are marked the final night of their tour after the date was re-scheduled from a few weeks prior.

Over the past decade Falling in Reverse have carved out one of the largest fanbases in the scene of metal music largely due to their constant reinvention of themselves. A Google search on the band or frontman Ronnie Radke will bring up thousands of results of opinionated articles that stray from the path of what the band has accomplished since their debut. Radke is one of the most innovative and colorful frontmen in music and with that draws a lot of discourse that distracts from the art. There is a true void with this scene of music of artists willing to ask tough questions with their art and in doing so Radke has often been the subject of unjust criticism. The band's music doesn't deserve to be over shadowed by so many rounds of trivial content over the years and thankfully Radke's truthful songwriting/online personality has resonated with a large crowd that has continued to support them. In the end real fans of the band's music aren't going to get distracted by online comments criticizing truly meaningless things such as attire, past antics, tweets, etc.

As a result of their loyal fanbase Falling in Reverse have found new levels of success with each version of themselves from the controversial introduction of rapping elements into their songs and eventual departure from traditional full length releases to continuous chart topping singles. The band's most recent release "Zombified" has dominated Spotify playlists, SiriusXM and as of recently WMMR in Philadelphia. This non-typical model of copies similar success Falling in Reverse found with "Popular Monster" in 2020 and even the "Drugs" EP before it as Radke & company continue to change how they deliver content to their fans. During the pandemic continued to Radke to grow his (and the band's) following as he quickly rose the ranks on Twitch as a popular streamer. The band even streamed a few live performances as "pay per view" events during the pandemic.

It doesn't take long listening to the band's now extensive catalog of music and impressive streaming/radio play numbers to become aware that Radke and Falling in Reverse have always been two steps ahead of the rest of the genre. Their current tour, 'Live from the Unknown' was the band's first major nationwide tour on the road since before the pandemic and sold out numerous dates in the process. The Philadelphia date at the Fillmore became "an evening with" as just Falling in Reverse returned for the re-scheduled date, but this didn't keep the band (and fans) from going absolutely insane from show start to finish.

Falling in Reverse took the stage just after 8PM to the roar of a crowd solely there to see them and chants of "Ronnie, Ronnie" as the numerous lights burst to life all around the stage set up. Instantly crowd surfers began to flow over the barricade before Radke even stepped up onto the massive array of risers lining the stage to belt the first lyrics of "I'm Not a Vampire." It was clear early on that this final night of the tour was going to be a special event for both band and fans as many entered the mosh pit for the first time in 2 years. Radke & company took the crowd through a setlist that spanned their entire discography (including two songs from Radke's era with Escape the Fate before Falling in Reverse.)

While Radke remains a center point and is a masterful frontman on the stage he has done well with this version of Falling in Reverse as he has surrounded himself with truly remarkable musicians. Many of the songs performed during the band's 15 song setlist were transformed with minor alternations that both blended them together as a cohesive show and in many ways improved them. The fan reactions were intense for both Escape the Fate throwback songs as expected but some of the heaviest moments in the set came at unexpected times. The mosh pit during "Rolling Stone" was the stuff of metal show legend and the circle pit during the poppier "Drug in Me is You" looked like something you would set at a festival and not in a club setting.

The 3 song encore included the highly anticipated live performance of "Zombified" that easily received the most extreme reaction from the crowd that sent numerous articles of clothing, a few pairs of shoes and at least two rounds of drinks flying in the mayhem. The set closed with a back to back hit of "Just Like You" and "Popular Monster" but before he departed Radke thanked the Philadelphia crowd (once again) for both coming out to see just them that night and for holding on to their tickets to do so.

While the "Live from the Unknown" tour may be completed now it is safe to say that we haven't seen the last of Falling in Reverse for 2022. The band is set to release the 'Neon Zombie' EP shortly and will be on the road again for the upcoming festival season across the country. Other than that is hard to guess what Ronnie Radke is preparing for fans musically and that is the way it should be for any great artist. If we sat around expecting what the next chapter was going to be the surprise and reaction wouldn't be as genuine as it is. For the last 10 years Radke and Falling in Reverse have kept everyone on their toes while trying to catch up and there is little chance of them stopping now.

Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red & Light the Torch unite for 'The Atonement Tour'

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 14:30:38 GMT

Three metal powerhouses have hit the road early in 2022 at last as Killswitch Engage have taken August Burns Red and Light the Torch out with them for the 'Atonement Tour' after numerous delays during the pandemic keeping the trio from the road.

This powerhouse of a headline tour for Killswitch Engage supporting their album "Atonement" marked the culmination of 20 years of iconic metal history hitting the round for a truly unique tour. Killswitch has long been a touring mainstay in the metal scene whether being helmed on vocals by Jesse Leach in the early years (and now) or Howard Jones during the stretch in the middle. Now, fans were treated to the best of both worlds as the two came together on this tour, with Jones own band Light the Torch starting things off each night. Jones is no stranger to Killswitch fans and the crowd at the Sherman Theater welcomed him like an old friend when the band hit the stage.

The crowd of some 1,400 strong metal fans that came out on a Monday night to open up the pit gave Light the Torch as much energy as they would have a headliner on that stage. Jones remains impressive on vocals and the band around him are all also veterans in their own right who delivered across all parts to give the packed Sherman Theater an opening set with a high bar to beat. However, shortly after their departure from the stage the night was set to take a turn for the heavier as Pennsylvania legends August Burns Red were set to remind their home state what they can do.

Across an 11 song set August Burns Red brought the intensity for the Sherman Theater that resulted in the first crowd surfers of the night to make their way across the barricade. The band's expansive catalog allowed them to craft a diverse setlist from all eras of their discography that was also incredibly heavy for the Killswitch Engage diehards in the crowd. Lead singer, Jake Luhrs, has always been a stand out live vocalist in the new era of metal and with age he has continued to grow into a true frontman as he commanded the stage during his performance. Alongside him the rest of the band provided the same stability in their performances whether it was a guitar rip from JB Brubaker or a drum line from Matt Greiner. August Burns Red collectively impressive set, combined with their well crafted setlist and very over the top production allowed them to deliver a performance made for an arena, not a theater or club. This Pennsylvanian band has continued to rise through the ranks over the year and they reminded their home state fans at the Sherman Theater that they aren't done yet but for now they continue on the 'Atonement Tour' with Killswitch Engage to perform to packed venues every night.

The saga of Killswitch Engage across the past 20 years is truly that of a poetry in the metal world as they rose to colossal heights early on and while the journey here hasn't always been the clearest at times they remain as relevant as when they debuted into the scene. 'The Atonement Tour' has resulted in packed venues nationwide so far and the band was greeted to a massive crowd on a Monday night in Stroudsburg, Pennslyvania at the Sherman Thea ter. While the venue is a staple within the state it is by no means a major city play which made the colossal turn out on an early weeknight even more impressive by Killswitch Engage.

The band's set was brutal, intense and as all good metal sets should be full of crowd surfing and moshing. The majority of shows on this tour have had revolving setlists and the Sherman Theater was no exception as the band made sure mainstays like "My Last Serenade" remained in the set but took some risks as they debuted "World Ablaze" for the first time with Jesse Leach singing. The band's 18 song set was a rollercoaster that left many in the crowd exhausted from the back to back to back approach of the band's live set. Leach prowled the stage all night long while eager fans flowed into the arms of security guards who kept them from getting any closer to the stage but that didn't keep them from reaching out for a fist bump from any band member in reach.

The evening culminated in a once in a lifetime encore as Howard Jones, front man during the era of the band while Jesse Leach had taken a break, re-joined the band for a closing set of 3 massive songs.

Lindsey Stirling returns to Reading with 'Christmas Program Tour'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 16:18:16 GMT

Lindsey Stirling returned to the Santander Arena as part of the venue's 20th Anniversary Celebration in December of 2021. Stirling last performed in Reading, PA in 2016 at the venue for her first arena show as a headlining artist. The 2021 show was one of the largest and final dates of the 'Christmas Program Tour.'

Lindsey Stirling

Christmas Program Tour

Santander Arena

December 16, 2021

Low Cut Connie save Rock n' Roll on the 'Private Eyes' Tour

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 21:52:30 GMT

The Pennsylvania based genre bending band Low Cut Connie returned to the state on their fall tour for an intimate performance at XL Live in Harrisburg that showcased their immense talent.

Low Cut Connie was the latest alternative artist to make an appearance in thriving market of Harrisburg as their Fall 2021 tour wrapped through XL Live before finishing a few days later. The band has always been a local favorite in the Pennsylvania scene but has rose to international acclaim over the past year through their extensive 'Tough Cookies' concert streaming during the pandemic and a performance as part of Joe Biden's Inauguration in 2020 as well.

Low Cut Connie

Private Eyes Tour

XL Live

December 8, 2021

The Glorious Sons kick off 'Unfinished Business Tour' at XL Live

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 16:46:33 GMT

After their 2020 'War on on Everything Tour' was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic The Glorious Sons returned to one of the venues they were able to play that year to kick off their 2021 tour. The band's return was the third time they have played the intimate Harrisburg venue and the fans in XL Live greeted their return in typical fashion with a packed house.

The Glorious Sons

Unfinished Business Tour

XL Live - Harrisburg

December 9, 2021

Smith & Myers of Shinedown return to New Jersey for Intimate Acoustic Performance

Sun, 12 Dec 2021 20:53:16 GMT

Brent Smith and Zach Myers, touring under the branding of Smith & Myers, hit the road once again this winter bringing their unique stripped down live performances to fans across the country including a recent performance at the iconic Starland Ballroom in New Jersey.

For those who aren't aware - Smith & Myers are better known as one half (vocalist and guitarist) of the critically acclaimed and massively popular rock band Shinedown. Shinedown is widely regarded as one of the best touring acts in contemporary rock for their combination of impressive stage production backed by the incredible talent of each member as well. The band has found critical success for the past the past two decades now during which Shinedown has sold more than ten million records worldwide and in 2020 claimed the title of most number one singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts out of any band, with 16.

Smith & Myers are no strangers to the intimate stage of the Starland Ballroom as one of their first shows with this stripped down acoustic project of theirs was in New Jersey years back now. While creating the setlist Zach Myers went on to explain early in the night that they worked hard to find 12 songs to include that they had never played at the venue before. With 6 albums of Shinedown material, original content and covers Smith & Myers had no shortage of material to choose from for their 20 song setlist.

Smith & Myers hit the stage just before 9PM at the Starland Ballroom and were greeted to a thunderous road of applause from the crowd as the duo quickly dove into back to back to back performances of "Coast to Coast," "Bad Guy" and "Panic" off their recent double album release. Smith & Myers weren't shy about playing some of their own original material including their hit single "Bad at Love" but also constructed a well mixed setlist of Shinedown hits, deep cuts, and a few covers along the way. Fans were elated to hear a rare song off 'Amaryllis" as Smith & Myers treated the crowd to a stunning rendition of "Through the Ghost" late in the set. While the majority of their songs with Shinedown translated well into an acoustic setting with the crowd lending a hand on choruses, few were as stunning as "Monsters" as it shifted from a rock anthem to a haunting new song.

Across 20 songs Smith & Myers showed the true reason Shinedown has been so successful for the past two decades – their mastership of craft. While the duo kept the mood light through out during the evening as he joking between songs when it came to performing each track was delivered flawlessly on a technical and artistic level. This comes as no surprise as contemporary rock fans have widely called Brent Smith; the best live vocalist' in rock and his powerful vocals were even more impressive when coupled with the stripped down playing that Zach Myers provided on his guitar for the night. Smith & Myers annual tour is always something that fans look forward too and hopefully the duo continues to do it as Shinedown continues to grow bigger with each passing year.

Steve-O packs the Santander Performing Arts Center on 'Bucket List Tour'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 21:47:35 GMT

Steve-O hit the road this winter for a comedy tour spotlighting some of his most outlandish stunts to date on the X Rated 'Bucket List Tour.' The tour hit Reading, PA for a packed house of fans eager to see the exclusive content and Steve-O himself in person.

Steve-O

The Bucket List Tour

Santander Arena

December 5, 2021

Chvrches continue to evolve on SOLD OUT 'Screen Violence' Tour

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 21:43:04 GMT

Chvrches' first United States tour in support of their recent release 'Screen Violence' has packed venues nationwide including the iconic Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia, PA.

Over the past decade Chvrches has taken the alternative scene by forth with their unique artistic blending of synths and complex lyrical structures. From their early albums through their most recent 'Screen Violence' the band has grown artistically and philosophically with each release and has given their fanbase more to grapple with each release. The debut single of the new album "He Said She Said" is one of the band's strongest singles to date and grapples with a lot of critical issues that singer Lauren Mayberry is also very passionate about. The merging of political statements(yet, critically important) with music can be a tricky blend to achieve but Chvrches found the balance with 'Screen Violence' and the artwork created on the album translated perfectly into the sold out performance at the Franklin Music Hall.

Chvrches took the stage just before 10PM to the roar of a sold out crowd who had eagerly been awaiting their Philadelphia return for sometime. The added "break" from touring during the pandemic has added an increased level of passion at shows in the market lately and the front row could hardly continue their excited as the band's LED flickered to life during the intro. Shortly there after the band walked out and Mayberry sprinted to her microphone stand at the center of the stage as Chvrches kicked off the night with a bold, and stunning "He Said She Said" that was met with screams of support.

The band's setlist took their fans through a musical journey as it was a well blended mix of songs from all eras of Chvrches - though the majority were off their new release 'Screen Violence.' Early in the set Mayberry was quick to thank the massive crowd for adhering to the venue's mask policy while she took a few minutes to also thank the crowd for joining them. The floor of the Franklin Music Hall was a sea of people and they burst to life with increased intensity as the band progressed deeper into their setlist. While the excitement was high for "Forever" early in the band's set it was during "Mircale" that the sold out crowd took their dancing and hype to 200% nearly everyone had their arms in the air for the chorus. "Good Girl" on the first half of the set also received a warm welcome from the Philadelphia crowd which came as no surprise as one of the strongest tracks off 'Screen Violence' and one of the better pop/alternative songs of the last few years.

Chvrches' sold out show demonstrated why they continue to sell out performance with each album - their artistry (both musically and visually) is on a level of which most band's on aspire to achieve. Throughout their 17 song setlist the band spotlighted that though they have matured over the past decade their music has always been truthful, raw and poignant. While 'Screen Violence' may be more routed into the state of our current society the band has always struck hearts and nerves with their music. Their fans don't come to a concert just dance and sing, Chvrches fans attend their concerts to be a part of something bigger than them and watch an artist that inspires them across so many plains.

In an alternative scene that has become increasingly flooded with carefully constructed thoughts Chvrches offers a needed perspective with their music and concerts. Mayberry and company have captured something really special over the past decade and there is little doubt they'll continue to create art that speaks to them and others for many more years to come.

Joe Bonamassa makes history with 5th show in Downtown Reading

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 21:53:15 GMT

The guitar legend returned to the Santander Performing Arts Center on December 1 for a record setting 5th performance in the historic venue. Fans were treated to a lengthy show that spotlighted Joe Bonamassa's world renown expertise with his massive collection of guitars.

Joe Bonamassa

Always on the Road Tour

Santander Performing Arts Center

December 1, 2021

Andrew McMahon's 12th Annual Dear Jack Benefit Concert shines bright in Philadelphia

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 19:37:03 GMT

The special annual benefit concert hosted by Andrew McMahon & Friends finally made appearance on the East Coast in the city of Philadelphia, which has long been a "second home" to McMahon through out the years of his many projects.

From the early years with Something Corporate to the current era of Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness the city of Philadelphia has always supported Andrew McMahon. And, while McMahon may not properly live here he has played nearly every stage in the city during his impressive career. The local alternative station, ALT 104.5, has also featured McMahon numerous times at their annual events as well (both free and ticketed). When the 'Three Pianos Tour' was announced earlier this year and Philadelphia was left off the initial announcement fans were left confused why McMahon would skip their city after all the years of countless touring there. However, their patience paid off as Andrew McMahon was quick to tease on social media that an announcement would come soon for Philadelphia - and it did, in the form of the 12th Annual Dear Jack Benefit at the Fillmore on November 13.

Andrew McMahon founded the Dear Jack Foundation after his own battle and recovery from young adolescence cancer during his Jack's Mannequin days. The Dear Jack Foundation's primary goal is to provide quality of life programming that directly benefits young adult cancer patients, survivors and their families. The Annual Benefit Concert is just one of the many ways fans and interested parties can contribute to the organization. This year the organization set out with the 250K Challenge to raise funding for their next year of operation. Thanks in part to the combined efforts leading into the after and proceeds from it - The Dear Jack Foundation ended up raising a grand total of a total of $305,533. The organization explained on their social media pages that this sum would help the fund 100 LifeList patients and 5 Breathe Now retreats, in addition to a partnership with Cancer for College which would provide Matt Cwiertny Dear Jack Music Education scholarships to two AYA survivors.

The venue was transformed for the event with large Dear Jack banners, information tables and a massive merchandise set up that featured limited edition items exclusive to the event - and a line that wrapped into the concert hall of fans waiting to purchase their posters and shirts. Throughout the evening Andrew McMahon greeted the in person crowd and those watching the livestream from onstage while he provided an update on the incoming donations. He also spoke in length about how important Dear Jack is to him and took some time to showcase some video content about the organization as well. Closer to his set Executive Director Andrea Schwartz took to the stage to spotlight some videos from individuals who have benefited from their incredible program.

Joining Andrew McMahon for this special benefit show as support were his former bandmate Zac Clark and singer-songwriter Annika Bennett. Clark kicked the night off after a warm welcome from McMahon and he gave the crowd a wonderful 30 minute set of his new solo material. As a long time member of McMahon's band during the 'In The Wilderness' era, Clark was a welcome face to the Philadelphia crowd - many of whom sang along to his material as they knew it very well already.

Clark's setlist featured a lot of material from his recently released full length album "Holy Shit" in addition to some other songs he has written as a solo musician. While his set may have been short he brought a perfect amount of energy to kick the show off that left the packed house of the Fillmore with smiles on their faces as they waited for the night to continue.

Zac Clark's set was quickly followed up by another appearance from Andrew McMahon with an update for the crowd about progress towards the $250K Challenge before he introduced the next special guest on the evening, Annika Bennett. Bennett put on an impressive performance and along the way explained that this was her first time performing in the city of Philadelphia. She went on to tell the audience later in the set that she usually is in a studio environment writing songs for other people so she was rather new to touring - however, this lack of on stage experience didn't prevent her from delivering a great set from start to finish.

Following Bennett's set the stage underwent a brief change over in anticipation for the arrival of the star of the evening, Andrew McMahon. He'd appear on the stage briefly once more to thank the Philadelphia crowd as he explained how much it meant to him to host the 12th Annual Dear Jack Benefit in the city that had truly been like a second home to him. The stage lights then went dark and when McMahon returned to stage a few minutes later he was seated at his piano as beaming light cascaded down on top him as he began the show with a re-imagined version of "Synesthesia."

Through out the night McMahon left his perch up at his piano talk to with the crowd as he shared many intimate stories about some of the stories behind the songs and his journey as a young adult when he faced his cancer diagnosis as well. Many of the songs in the set were stripped down or completely new versions as McMahon had new, smaller band with him that just featured Morgan Paros on violin and a few other instruments and Mikey Wagner on keyboards as well as some various instruments throughout the show.

Andrew McMahon took the crowd on a musical journey after he explained the story behind the three pianos that shaped his life as well as the three mirrors that surrounded him on the stage. The night was a true story book performance as McMahon dug deep into his catalog digging out some rare Something Corporate gems with "She Paints Me Blue" and "The Astronaut" shining bright early in the night - fans of his Something Corporate era of songwriting had to wait until the encore of the night for the rare appearance of "Konstantine" that sent the crowd into a frenzy. McMahon didn't shy away from any of his current materials as a stunning performance of "Halls" and "Fire Escape" were among the many 'In the Wilderness' songs that made the setlist but a stand out moment was the performance of "Something Wild" that he originally recorded with Lindsey Stirling. Up until now McMahon didn' t have a touring violinist in the band but the addition of Morgan Paros allowed him to perform this song at last.

Last, but certainly not least, were the many Jack's Mannequin moments that McMahon treated his fans to for this special night at the 12th Annual Dear Jack Benefit concert. No night with Andrew McMahon is complete with out a full crowd sing-a-long during the chorus of "Dark Blue" or the crashing piano notes of "The Mixed Tape." This special night would also conclude with a fan favorite Jack's Mannequin song, again re-imagined for this new tour that Andrew McMahon & Friends are on. After being joined on stage by both Annika Bennett and Zac Clark, the entirety of the Dear Jack staff in attendance came out onto the stage for a massive performance of "La La Lie" that served as a proper ending to a once in a lifetime show for so many fans in Philadelphia.

There is no doubt that Andrew McMahon will be back to Philadelphia in the next year, or two at most - however it goes without saying that it will be hard to top the feelings that the 12th Annual Dear Jack Benefit show left the fans with. A special night, after over a year of not being able to gather for any sort of meaningful events transformed Andrew McMahon's first Philadelphia appearance since before the pandemic into the most important show he's performed in the city to date. Philadelphia will always support McMahon and hopefully the city won't have to wait another 12 years to host another Dear Jack Benefit - but if they, they'll be here waiting and ready to support, pack another room and break another fundraising goal.

An Evening with Dashboard Confessional in Harrisburg

Sun, 14 Nov 2021 20:53:34 GMT

After breaking out into the alternative scene nearly 20 years ago Dashboard Confessional remain as relevant as ever and they showcased their refined talent at their intimate XL Live performance produced by Harrisburg University Present.

Harrisburg University Presents has cultivated an alternative market and culture that competes with that of a major market at this point as Dashboard Confessional became the latest artist to visit the area. As the show began for this intimate evening with performance at XL Live the crowd burst into a thunderous roar and applause as the band walked on stage. The moment was full of anticipation as there was some confusion and doubt for awhile if this show would be happening when the band pulled many of their fall dates. However, there was more than just a tour cancellation on the fans minds that evening.

The journey to Harrisburg and XL Live for this special show was a long one for Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional as he was involved in a serious accident while riding his motorcycle in June of 2020. As a result of the accident Carrabba extensively broke and dislocated both of his shoulders, severing his biceps and deltoids in the process. In addition he also broke and bruised a few ribs from the numerous points of impact during the accident. The initial road to recovery later included a COVID-19 scare and which put him into total isolation between major surgeries. As a result of the numerous surgeries and increased time in bed the Carrabbas’s legs began to atrophy. After many months Carrabba was able to leave the hospital a shell of himself prior to the accident at just 117 pounds prior to entering months of grueling rehab to regain muscle and motion from the surgures. Despite all of that Carrabba made a return to his band, the stage and the fans who were supporting him all along.

Carrabba and Dashboard Confessional shined brightly during this intimate evening with concert produced by Harrisburg University Presents. Their music was translated perfectly into this stripped down setting and was complimented by the relentlessly singing fans in the small venue. Harrisburg was treated to a well crafted setlist that allowed the band to highlight all eras of their now long career during the evening.

Without context you would have never suspect Carrabba was involved in as serious of an accident as he was as his presence on stage was as electric as ever, his vocals actually were possibly stronger than ever as well thanks to the long period of rest. By the end of the early night fans left XL Live satisfied from another fantastic event from Harrisburg University Presents and knowing that another show was likely on the horizon as their city has become the must play alternative market in Pennsylvania.

Buckcherry Bring Two Decades of Touring Experience to XL Live

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 21:51:19 GMT

20 years ago Buckcherry burst onto the rock scene an album that eventually establish the band as a rock mainstay and a legacy that would forge the future of contemporary rock music until today. The band's current tour brought them to Harrisburg on a Tuesday at XL Live for a crowd who were ready to party.

Buckcherry

2021 Hellbound Tour

XL Live - Harrisburg

November 9, 2021

Bleachers 'Take The Sadness Out of Saturday Night' on Final U.S. Tour Date of 2021 Tour

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 16:45:36 GMT

After kicking off their tour with their 'Shadow of the City' festival on September 11, Bleachers concluded the U.S. leg of their tour with a sold out show at XL Live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Saturday, November 6 produced by Harrisburg University Presents.

Jack Antonoff has become an icon of creativity in the music scene over the past decade for his songwriting and producing work for artists including Taylor Swift, Lorde, Lana Del Rey & countless others. However, during this time Antonoff has maintained a very special project of his own in the form of Bleachers. His band burst onto the alternative charts in 2014 with their debut single "I Wanna Get Better" and since then hasn't slowed down with touring or new music. While Antonoff is no stranger to touring from his years with FUN, Bleachers shows are uniquely different as they are widely regarded as some of the best live experiences in the industry. Bleachers are fresh off the release of their third album 'Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night' and this tour was the first chance the band had to get in front of crowds for a long time due to the pandemic altering plans for 2020.

The sold out crowd in XL Live made possible by Harrisburg University Presents on Saturday night was a physical manifestation of the band's musical diversity as there was only one single type of person in the crowd - Bleachers fans. A line for the merch table snaked itself around the venue from the moment doors opened, by the end of the night very little merchandise would remain as nearly the entire crowd could be seen wearing Bleachers merch from all era of the band. The band's multiple truck stage set up barely fit into the intimate venue as it spilled off the sides and the drum risers nearly touched the ceiling. Anticipation swept through the crowd as fans began sharing stories from previous Bleachers experiences on this tour, previous and even a lucky few chatted about their MTV Unplugged filming during the 'Gone Now' tour cycle at the Stone Pony.

Shortly after 9:30PM the moment had arrived as sage was burnt on the stage prior to the lights going dim across the venue before slowly flickering back on as Jack Antonoff and Bleachers appeared on the stage for a dimly lit and stunning version of "91" to start the evening. Following the slower paced start to the show, the stage burst to life following the song as Antonoff sprinted to his the front of the stage with microphone in hand to get the crowd moving early with the high energy "Let's Get Married." Evan Smith and Mikey Hart flanked the sides of the small stage but their locations didn't slow Antonoff down as he ran between, through and even over them at times when he wasn't at his microphone stand with his guitar.

The comparisons that can be made from the band's current touring production to something of the golden age of touring in the 80's and 90's are seemingly endless. At first glance the entire set up screams Springsteen with Antonoff clad in his vintage leather jacket and boots at the front of it all but a closer look at touring history shows how much Bleachers are rooted in a gone by era of music that they have re-invented for a new generation. Whether you look at classic sources like Depeche Mode or Duran Duran or contemporary counter parts like Robyn and Grimes - Bleachers' music and live performances bleed with artistic passion (and of course the stories of Antonoff and his New Jersey influences.)

Bleachers' lengthy set at XL Live produced by Harrisburg University Presents gave the band a chance to spotlight a wide range of material from their catalog dating all the way back to their debut album 'Strange Desire.' Fans were responsive to the surprise addition of "Alfie's Song," a single the band recorded for Love, Simon, early in the set. Fans of the band would be hard pressed to ask for a better setlist as Antonoff and the band took the sold out crowd on a musical journey for almost 2 hours. The venue grew hot, the windows were fogged and everyone was sweating by half a dozen songs in - Antonoff went as far as lovingly calling the crowd "feral" to a roar of approval.

The blessing and curse of a masterwork performance such as the one Bleachers delivered at XL Live and produced by Harrisburg University Presents is that there become too many special moments to highlight. Whether it was the impromptu acoustic FUN sing-a-long in the middle of the set, the surprise fan requested appearance of "Day Man" from Always Sunny, the insanity of the crowd during "Rollercoaster" or the ripping saxophone of "Everybody Lost Somebody" - there was a moment that will last a lifetime for everyone in their memory from the performance.

There is no denying Jack Antonoff is a generational talent when it comes to musicianship - his legacy will far outlast many of his peers and Bleachers is a large part of his musical story. His passion for the project is infectious and the fans have developed the same love for his music as he shares while performing it. XL Live and Harrisburg University Presents have hosted dozens of alternative concerts since their opening in 2019, they all pair in comparison to the crowd, show and experience that Bleachers brought to the intimate venue.

It's hard to guess where Bleachers will go from here - whether it is another tour, album or something unexpected there is no denying that their fans will be there following them to the edge of the earth. After over a year of struggle, sadness and stress for so many people Antonoff delivered on his promise and took the "sadness out of Saturday night" in Harrisburg and added another chapter to his living legacy of artistry in doing so.

Brett Eldredge moves into Arenas on the 'Good Day Tour'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 21:03:54 GMT

After touring heavily in the club circuit and supporting roles, Brett Eldredge set out on an arena tour with the 'Good Day Tour' that came to the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania for one of the final dates of the fall run.

Brett Eldredge

The Good Day Tour

Santander Arena

November 5, 2021

El Alfa Surprises Crowd at the 'Mega Show 2021'

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 18:51:24 GMT

Rising Latin music star El Alfa made a surprise appearance the Mega Show in Reading, PA following his sold out show at Madison Square Garden in New York. El Alfa joined an already large bill at the Santander Arena that included Arcangel, CJ, & more.

Mega Show 2021

Featuring El Alfa, Arcangel, CJ, Dalex, J. Quilles & Dj Adoni

Santander Arena

October 30, 2021

Foreigner Continue to Find Success on "Greatest Hits Tour"

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 17:18:44 GMT

After over 40 years Foreigner continues to pack venues across the country with their iconic hits and critically regarded live performances. The current line up consisting of Kelly Hanson, Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein, Chris Frazier, Bruce Watson, and Luis Maldonado recently stopped in Reading, PA for a theater show.

Foreigner

Greatest Hits Tour

Santander Performing Arts Center

October 21, 2021

Bishop Briggs returns to Pennsylvania for XL Live headline show

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 21:52:40 GMT

Bishop Briggs finally arrived to Harrisburg for a special one-off headline show after numerous postponements during the pandemic - but the wait was well worth it for her fans.

With each album cycle Bishop Briggs has seemingly marked a new chapter in her creative career as her music has thematically evolved heavily over the years. Her show at XL Live this October was scheduled at an interesting crossroads as it was her last show of the year before returning home and was not part of a major tour either. Bishop Briggs has always seemingly found a way to never let her creative go stale as she continues to find the secret to blossoming in a very competitive music scene both on and off the stage. After months without live shows, coupled with her return for an intimate show at the XL Live set the cards for the night to be a very special one for the many fans in attendance.

Though Harrisburg sits well outside of Philadelphia many fans in attendance spoke about traveling in from the city and a good amount even made the trek up from DC area to catch Briggs perform on a Saturday night. While it certainly wasn’t a hometown show there is no denying that our market loves Bishop Briggs and the crowd had created a dynamic atmosphere that rendered a much different feeling than many other shows hosted at XL Live.

The stage was left open for Briggs to make use of through out the night as she is known for her dynamic live performances sprinting across the stage while maintaining solid vocal delivery while doing so. As the house lights went dim the venue's LED screen that spanned the length of the stage flickered to life as Bishop Briggs logo was displayed to a roar of approval from the Harrisburg crowd. Bishop Briggs waived to the crowd the side of the stage before she sprinted out in a yellow wash of light as she began the show with a dramatically lit “The Way I Do” before the rest of her production burst to life at the start of the first chorus. The set blended together a variety of her material including the single "Champion," which found new life on TikTok during the pandemic. While Briggs focused heavily on the present with powerful performances of “Dark Side,” “Hi-Lo” and of course “River” she also treated fans to incredible cover medley of Twenty One Pilots, Panic at the Disco and My Chemical Romance blended together. Whether in the brief moments she was standing still or the ample time spent sprinting around the XL Live stage, every note was delivered in key and with a subtle air of passion in each lyric.

Bishop Briggs truly is a once in generation type of artist – she continues to innovate the alternative genre with songs but also maintains an incredible relationship with her fans while doing. The XL Live show may have marked the beginning of a new era for Bishop Briggs as new material is certainly on the horizon, Pennsylvania was lucky to have shared on more show with Briggs before the next era of her career.

Myke Towers jumps into arenas with 'El Young King' Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 16:57:35 GMT

With 'El Young King' tour, Myke Towers has made the jump from being a club artist to an arena artist in the Latin genre. His tour brought him to the Santander Arena for a show produced by Zamora Live! that packed the venue on a Thursday night.

Myke Towers

El Young King Tour

Santander Arena

October 14, 2021

Little Big Town Brings the Party for Two Nights of Theater Shows

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 22:29:22 GMT

As soon as the clock hit 7:00pm on Friday October 8th, the Santander Performing Arts Center lobby was packed full of denim, cowboy boots, flannel, and more than a few cowboy hats as an excited crowd piled in for night one of Little Big Town’s two-night stint in Reading.

While everybody grabbed their Wine, Beer, and Whiskey (a la Little Big Town) and filed into their seats, singer-songwriter Ashley Ray began her whirlwind supporting set with her husband at her side accompanying on guitar. The Nashville-based artist took the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, singing songs about everything from drinking and partying to love and loss. Despite some heavier topics, she managed to keep the mood light with her humor, admitting, “I’m unprepared. I lost my pick but I DO have my vodka,” which is arguably equally important.

During Intermission, the crowd was buzzing with excitement, ready for Little Big Town to take the stage. And when that moment happened, it was nothing short of incredible. Between the group’s famous vocal harmonies, the lighting and stage design, and the overall sonic of the moment, the room came alive as they opened the set with “Next To You,” the first song on their latest album, Nightfall. The album’s titular track came next, followed by “Sober” continuing the ethereal feeling of the beginning of the performance.

The turning point of the show was brought in by the iconic beach party country song, “Pontoon,” which brought every member of the audience to their feet to sing along, proving vocalist Karen Fairchild’s observation that “the spiritual and meaningful [songs] weren’t the ones that resonated. It was the drinking ones.” As the show continued, the subject matter of the song didn’t matter.

The audience was so engaged in the music and every word they sang. The group was easily just as engaged, interacting effortlessly with individuals in the audience and even gave special attention to a little girl in the front row, making sure to give her a guitar pick. It seems Southern hospitality is a real thing. The show ended with one of the band’s drinking anthems, “Wine Beer Whiskey” which left the audience at an all-time high and wanting more. Of course, the band happily obliged and returned with an encore of fan favorites, “Boondocks” and “Girl Crush,” two of the band’s most successful songs.

Trey Kennedy hits the road on the 'Are You For Real?!' Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 16:52:15 GMT

Trey Kennedy hit the road for the 'Are You For Real?!' tour this fall after initially being delayed from March of 2020. The tour passed through the Santander Performing Arts Center in Reading, PA on Sunday, October 10 for a packed house of fans.

Trey Kennedy

Are You For Real ?! Tour

Santander Performing Arts Center

October 10, 2021

Willow sells out Philadelphia on her pop-punk 'Life Tour'

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 16:58:04 GMT

Willow's domination over the resurgence of pop-punk continued with a sold out show at the iconic Theater of Living Arts on South Street in Philadelphia.

Age has brought Willow Smith out of the experimental R&B/Pop scene and into the middle of a newly thriving generation of pop punk artists. It became clear after the release of "Transparent Soul" featuring Travis Barker earlier this summer that Willow had reached a musical crossroads and was going to venturing into a new sonic realm with her upcoming album. The song quickly climbed the charts when it was released in spring of 2021 and the full length album, "Lately I Feel Everything," would end up debuting at #5 on the Top Alternative Albums chart and #6 on the Top Independent Album chart.

Riding the success of the new album it was announced that Willow would hit the road this fall for the 'Life Tour' with the majority of shows selling out weeks in advance including the October 12 show at the Theater of Living Arts. It may have been a Tuesday night but the city of Philadelphia was ready to party like it was a Saturday as the line for entry into the venue wrapped down South Street hours before doors were scheduled to open. Shortly after doors opened fans began to flow into the venue as fast as possible to either grab a position on the barricade or attempt to buy merchandise before it was gone. The venue was packed to capacity in what seemed like only a few short minutes after doors as the majority of eager fans arrived early and began to wait for the 9:30PM stage time for Willow.

As the house lights went dim and the purple washed stage came to life the crowd began to roar with anticipation for the start of the show. Dimly lit projections burst to life across the stage and Willow walked out to deafening screams from the crowd as she started the night of with "Transparent Soul." The crowd went insane, the energy of the Theater of Living Arts matched that of many of the iconic punk shows it has hosted in it's many years of operation - possibly even exceeding those before. As the crowd screamed along the lyrics it became clear that Willow had not only found her voice with this album but also the voices of a generation who were hungry for music that related to them.

Willow quickly ditched her guitar and moved right into the speedy "Gaslight" as the crowd continued to jump with such intensity that the floor could be felt moving from their energy. Willow saw their energy and matched it as she ran across the stage interacting with as many fans as possible during her rapidly paced songs. By the third song crowd surfers had begun to emerge from the densely packed crowd as Willow belted out the entirety of "GROW" and delivered Avril Lavigne's parts of the songs with the help of the hyped crowd.

The set remained focused on the future for Willow as she delivered nearly every song off "Lately I Feel Everything," much to the surprise and joy of the crowd as they sang every song back with as much energy as they could. The middle of the set also featured a few covers of The Anxiety that were well placed in the set and the fans still knew nearly all the words. Willow is no longer the girl telling you to 'whip your hair back and forth' - she's evolved into a complex artist with the weight of generation on her shoulders looking to find their place in overly complex world. With a support set for Billie Eilish on the horizon the future is bright for Willow as she continues to both save pop-punk and independent music all at once with her uniquely fresh take on the genres.

Jo Koy returns to Reading with a Sold Out Show

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 22:20:54 GMT

Jo Koy returned to Pennsylvania for a sold out show at the Santander Performing Arts Center with special guest Joey Guila before heading to New York City for a sold out headline performance at Radio City Music Hall.

Jo Koy

Just Kidding World Tour

Santander Performing Arts Center

October 7, 2021

New Found Glory & Package Prove Pop Punk's Still Not Dead

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 18:52:00 GMT

After a long year that felt like at least four, and a scare that the tour may fall through when Canadian pop punk powerhouse, Simple Plan, dropped off... the day finally came to strap up the camera and head back into the photo pit for one of the best pop punk tour line ups ever assembled.

Last Wednesday September 29 ^th New Found Glory brought the "Pop Punk's Still Not Dead Tour" to Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ. A tour that seemed like it could fall through the cracks quickly revamped itself if not for the better! Bringing along longtime ska/skatepunk veterans Less Than Jake and the scenes hottest new pop-punk band, Hot Mulligan, this package was bound to bring many anxious concert-goers and fans into the venues mapped. Wednesday proved exactly that, Pop Punk is in fact not dead. The New Jersey crowd started pouring into the venue early as excitement grew throughout the time after doors opened. For many, their first show back after the pandemic wiped out a whole year of shows and concert-goers expectations. It was clear New Jersey was ready to rock the night away.

The tour package's first act, Lolo took the stage. The pop-act from Canada quickly showed that they were comfortable and at home right on stage with acts such as Hot Mulligan and the tour veterans. Playing different songs from their discography it became clear to me why they were on the package, they had a little bit of something for everyone to appreciate. The hooks that lured you in to sing along even when you've never heard a song kept the crowd engaged the entire time which can be tough to do for an opening act. It was a refreshing sound to finally hear live music again and Lolo did a great job at getting the crowd into their set and prepped to the rest of the night.

Second up, probably the most anticipated live set of the night for myself, was Hot Mulligan. The Michigan based band was a late addition to the tour package, but one that got me extremely excited about covering this tour. Hot Mulligan has been on a trajectory and they are bound to be one of the biggest bands in the scene in the coming years. Coming to the stage the crowd showed a bit more energy for this one as it was clear that the New Jersey natives were a little more familiar with the guys from Michigan. Filling their time on stage with some of their most powerful songs, Hot Mulligan did not disappoint. Playing songs from their most recent release, ''you'll be fine'', to older jams from their discography, their set sent you on a rollercoaster with its peaks and valleys of emotion. Sky is the limit for this band as they bring such raw emotion to each one of their songs and tap into influences that can hit many different generations. For an elder emo like myself, they remind me of "Brand New, Motion City Soundtrack, meets Jimmy Eat World" while a touch of new wave pop-punk sounds like in the realm of Tiny Moving Parts.

OG Bule Sky
*Equip Sunglasses*
Digging In
Losing Days
Featuring Mark Hoppus
Bckyrd
Dirty Office Bongos
How Do You Know It's Not Armadillo Shells?

Lindsey Buckingham hits the road on his Solo Tour

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 15:41:02 GMT

“We missed you Lindsey!” was just one of the many phrases shouted from the audience amidst the cheers and declarations of love at the Santander Performing Arts Center a few weeks back as Lindsey Buckingham took to the stage on his first tour since 2019.

The September 19 ^th show comes right on the heels of the release of Lindsey’s seventh self-titled studio album two days prior. The album features 10 new songs, including first single “I Don’t Mind,” which was a clear crowd favorite. Lindsey Buckingham, the album, is his first solo album since the 2018 split from Fleetwood Mac and comes almost exactly 10 years after the release of his sixth studio album, Seeds We Sow.

Sammy Brue, Utah native, true solo performer, and self-proclaimed “real fun guy,” performed a supporting set featuring some new, old, and unreleased songs and earned a few laughs with his light-hearted lyrics.

Lindsey walked out onto the stage and was met by cheers well before the lights even came up. The show began with his signature, intricate finger picking that earned him a spot on Rolling Stone’s 2011 list of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” After opening with “Not Too Late,” Lindsey moved into a mix of songs from his solo career and songs written for Fleetwood Mac, including “Never Going Back Again,” “Big Love,” and the classic “Go Your Own Way.”

Songs from his new album such as “Scream,” “Swan Song,” and “On the Wrong Side” were featured as well after being debuted live for the first time barely two weeks prior. The barricade that had begun with a group of about 10 people grew to four or five times its size by the end of the show, despite the limited space, and the seated audience was enthralled, giving multiple standing ovations and ensuring that Lindsey had a warm welcome back to the stage.

Reading Blues Fest set to return this November

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 16:40:02 GMT

The Reading Blues Fest is making a reappearance in November 2021 for the 4 ^th anniversary of the beloved festival. The annual blues festival is a three-day event including concerts, themed brunches, dinners, and after parties being held at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton.

This year’s lineup, taking place from November 19th to 21st, includes performances by Mr. Sipp, the Mississippi Blues Child; Clarence Spady and the Electric City Band; Victor Wainwright and The Train; Dawn Tyler Watson; Slam Allen; Ana Popovic; King Solomon Hicks; Mike Zito; and a special preview concert from Buddy Guy hosted at the Santander Performing Arts Center.

The festival is presented by Berks Arts, the nonprofit organization previously known as the Berks Arts Council, that also presents the Berks Jazz Fest and the Bandshell Concert Series. The goal of Berks Arts is “to inspire, engage, and unite our community through arts education, collaboration, and presentation,” but their impact is not exclusive to the local arts community. Berks Arts uses art-based programs to address the socioeconomic realities that are part of the community that it serves and diversify the palette of the Berks County arts scene.

The variety in artists that Berks Arts uses can even be seen across the Blues Fest lineup. The special preview concert kicks off the festival with Buddy Guy, who is known to be one of the best blues guitarists of his time, blending classic Chicago blues with rock and roll. Guy is credited as an inspiration for many artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and according to Eric Clapton, “changed the course of rock and roll blues.”

Later in the festival there will be a performance from Ana Popovic, a modern blues guitar player from Belgrade, Serbia who has played an estimated 2,500 shows across five continents and been nominated for seven Blues Music Awards. Rounding out the festival is a performance from Mike Zito, the 2018 Rock Blues Artist of the Year and one of the top contemporary blues artists who has worked tirelessly to develop his own sound. These artists are just a tip of the iceberg of the Reading Blues Fest, which will feature even more incredible artists.

Individual concert tickets, VIP Weekend Packages, and the full schedule of events are available at readingbluesfest.com.

Rauw Alejandro Sells out the Santander Arena

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 16:35:57 GMT

On Saturday, September 11 the Santander Arena hosted it's first sold out concert since early 2019 as Rauw Alejandro came to Reading, PA for the first time and a sold out performance.

Rauw Alejandro

Santander Arena

September 11, 2021

Judas Priest kick off '50 Years of Heavy Metal' tour in Reading

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 18:50:47 GMT

Judas Priest kicked off their '50 Years of Heavy Metal' national headlining tour at the Santander Arena on September 8, 2021 following many date and venue changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judas Priest

'50 Years of Heavy Metal' Tour

Santander Arena

September 8, 2021

Sabaton make rare appearance in Pennsylvania for support role

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 20:21:54 GMT

Sabaton made a rare state side appearance as they performed a support role for Judas Priest in Reading, PA. The show marked the kick off their '50 Years of Heavy Metal' tour at the Santander Arena on September 8, 2021.

Sabaton

In Support of Judas Priest on the '50 Years of Heavy Metal' Tour

Santander Arena

September 8, 2021

Collective Soul continue to 'Shine' on their Summer Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 18:49:41 GMT

With over two decades of touring experiences and countless hit songs, Collective Soul has become a powerhouse of the live concert industry and remains to be so due to their excellent performances on every tour they hit the road on.

While it seems like it has been a lifetime as touring halted during the pandemic, Collective Soul's return to Bethlehem comes not too long in the touring world following their sold out performance in 2019 at the Wind Creek Event Center. This time the band was scheduled to hit the stage in front of the SteelStacks outdoors on the Levitt Pavilion stage on the Artsquest campus with a great billing of support from Better Than Ezra and Tonic on the show.

Summer shows in Pennsylvania this summer have been a hit or miss batch as the state has suffered some of the worst severe weather in decades with a record number of tornado warnings being posted this summer. Luckily, fans were treated to one of the nicest evenings of the summer as cool weather drifted into the Lehigh Valley that saw the large crowd widely dressed in jeans and even a few hoodies for this late summer concert. As the minutes drew closer to the band's arrival fans began to press in closer to the stage and the anticipation only continued to grow when the band's iconic Collective Soul backdrop became visible on the stage.

Just past 9:15 the stage lighting dramatically shifted and the large crowd that had gathered for the concert in front of the massive remnants of the old Bethlehem Steel factory began to roar as Ed Roland led the rest of the band on stage. Led by Roland, Collective Soul ran through a beautifully constructed 14 song setlist that allowed them to spotlight a few newer additions from their discography but remain focused on all of the critical hits that shaped their legacy as a band. Fan favorite "December" made an appearance early in the night and triggered what would be one of the first of many full crowd singing sessions of the night. Roland couldn't help but smile as he let the crowd take over for a chorus section and was met with a loud refrain from them that was truly incredible.

Across the stage Dean Roland, Will Turpin, and Jesse Triplett worked the crowd all night long with numerous moments of fan interaction that left both parties smiling. Behind them Johnny Rabb kept the night moving with a definitive performance behind the drum kit that provided the backbone of a solid set from Collective Soul. Ed Roland has always been one of the more ambitious frontmen of his generation of rock n' roll and not even a pandemic could slow him down as he remains the life and soul of a Collective Soul live performance. His vocal delivery was flawless all night long and took songs like "Shine," "The World I Know" and late in the set "Run" to heights not heard on the studio versions.

As the night came to an end the crowd departed Bethlehem both satisfied with yet another stellar performance from Collective Soul and more than anything grateful. Grateful for the show they just witness, grateful to be back in crowds for live concerts and lastly grateful that while things may not seem the brightest right now - Collective Soul was able to help them forget even if just for a little while.

That's the beauty of live music.

Blackberry Smoke, The Allman Betts Band & The Wild Feathers on the Spirit of the South Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 17:02:09 GMT

On Friday, August 27 the Santander Arena hosted the 'Spirit of the South' Tour featuring Blackberry Smoke, The Allman Betts Band, The Wild Feathers and a very special surprise performance from Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie.

The Spirit of the South Tour

Blackberry Smoke, The Allman Betts Band, & The Wild Feathers

Santander Arena

August 27, 2021

The concert was the first full capacity event held at the Santander Arena in 539 days and marked the official kick off of the downtown venue's 20th Anniversary Season.

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram returns to Reading, PA as part of Berks Jazz Fest

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 16:50:26 GMT

Fresh off the debut of his new album, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram returned to Reading, Pennsylvania a week after "662" topped the Billboard Blues Charts in the #1 position.

Berks Jazz Fest Presents : Christone "Kingfish" Ingram

The Grand Ballroom at the Doubletree Hotel

August 15, 2021

Nick Perri returns home to Pennsylvania for Ardmore Residency

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 19:37:18 GMT

Pennsylvania rock legend, Nick Perri, returned to Philadelphia with his band Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves for an intimate four sold out show residency at the Ardmore Music Hall during the month of July.

Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves

Hometown Residency Series

A rdmore Music Hall

July 15 , 2021

Craig Owens hits the road for intimate acoustic tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 20:49:00 GMT

Pop punk and hardcore vocalist Craig Owens hit the road for an intimate acoustic tour as venue's began opening again for indoor shows across the country early this summer. The Pennsylvania date was held at LIVEINRDG partner venue Reverb and produced by Big Fan Presents.

Craig Owens

Acoustic Tour

Ardmore Music Hall

June 25, 2021

T.J. Miller Comes to Royersford at SoulJoel's

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 17:49:45 GMT

As 2020 continues to be a non-typical world for all realms of entertainment the trend of alternative and non-traditional style events has continued to spread across Pennsylvania. While the drive-in concert has been widely successful for the return of live music events and raves the model proved less than successful for comedy events.

Comedy show efforts from Livenation and the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre were successful enough for one-off events but failed to draw a returning audience of fans. This absence left the door wide open for a newcomer to take the field – enter SoulJoel’s Comedy Club & Lounge in Royersford, PA. Not only has the venue cornered down a niche market they have done a really fantastic job with the execution making for a superb experiences for attendees and performers alike.

The struggle of a drive-in comedy show was rooted in the lack of the essential human element, the organic laughter of a crowd, the interaction and even the occasional heckle. SoulJoel’s managed to clear this hurdle and keep things well within the CDC recommended Covid-19 guidelines with their outdoor stage set up for a sold out 6PM performance from T.J. Miller – known by many for his many high profile comedy roles including the Deadpool series, Ready Player One, Silicon Valley, Big Hero 6 & more in addition to his stand up career.

Groups were spaced 6 feet apart and set up on cones to keep things organized as the general admission crowd trickled in for well over an hour leading up to the performance start time. The events at SoulJoel’s are BYOB, bring your own chair and basically anything else you want/need to bring in which allowed for even decreased interactions for another level of social distancing at the show.

The staff was very thorough in making sure patrons were sat properly spaced from the group next to them and that no masks were removed while the excited crowd was walking around the “venue” space (the venue being a sand beach that was created in the area around the stage for a unique outdoor comedy show vibe). SoulJoel himself welcomed the crowd and thanked them for the sold out show as well as maintaining all social distancing guidelines.

The venue has been able to take over the comedy show market in recent months due to their strict adherence to the rules and it was refreshing to see the crowd understand that their continued participation in following them was crucial to more shows coming in the future. James Mattern was the evening’s special guest host and he did a fantastic job getting the crowd laughing before an opening set from Dustin Chafin.

By the time T.J. Miller took the stage for his sold out headline set the sun had set across the make shift yet oddly functional outdoor stage as the cool fall weather brought a nice chill to the night. Miller proceeded to deliver an exception set that featured a perfectly blended of prepared material and on the fly improv when the crowd, the environment or even an advertisement on the stage presented itself for a joke. Oh – there was juggling, some prop humor, custom hot-sauce being sold, signed face masks damning Covid-19 and a brutal roast of one “fan” who thought he was funnier than Miller by shouting to “turn the lights off” one times too many.

After well over an hour of non-stop laughter Miller ended his set to a roar of applause that showcased exactly why SoulJoel’s non-traditional Covid-19 safe comedy shows have become some big. The human element has been returned to comedy with these performances and the comics are able to feed off the crowd as they normally would at a show but in a manner that is as safe as possible until things returning to normal.

Is it ideal? Maybe not? But is it a lot of fun? You bet it is and the execution was flawless enough that fans keep coming back for more with each show that comes to town. The pros certainly outweigh any cons that can be suggested in attending a well executed Covid-19 safe event such as the ones being produced at SoulJoel’s.

2020 has been a difficult year for the entertainment industry but it has given rise to a new generation of innovators who have managed to come with difficult solutions for the toughest year in entertainment ever. Royersford, PA has become a comedy powerhouse and it is a safe bet to say that it remains that way even well after Covid-19 safe shows fade into memory.

The Revivalists Take Harrisburg 'Into the Stars' at the Forum

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 18:41:50 GMT

On March 4 The Revivalists became the latest of a string of contemporary alternative bands to hit the newly blossoming music market of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

This renaissance of incredible alternative performances has been spearheaded by Harrisburg University Presents. The birth of the city as an alternative market must play was not an overnight transformation however their commitment has paid off and as a result The Revivalists performed a packed house in the historic Forum Auditorium in the shadow of the capitol building in Harrisburg.

The standard theater seating was removed in the area surrounding the stage to allow for a proper Revivalists dance party to take place and the band’s impressive stage production looked stunning contrasted against the historic wooden stage. It may have been a Wednesday night on the calendar but once you stepped through the doors of the Forum it was the weekend as fans filled the hallways in search of drinks, merch and more in the minutes leading up to the band’s arrival on stage.

David Shaw led the full band of the Revivalists on to the stage just past 9:15 to an applauding crowd that was color washed in crimson LED lighting across the entire venue. After a few seconds the bands logo slowly illuminated behind them at the Forum and as the spotlights kicked on the crowd began to roar with approval for The Revivalists to start the show as the intro notes of “Criminal” began to be struck.

Shaw wasted no time connecting with the Harrisburg crowd as he grabbed his microphone from the center of stage and made his way from side to side as more lighting came to life behind him as the song progressed. By the end of the first track a massive production had burst to life and Shaw was hanging on the fans in the front row from side to side and down the thrust of the stage in the middle.

The Revivalists took Harrisburg on a wild set across their many full length albums and along the way they began to see why the city has become a must play for alternative tours. Whether it was the belting chorus of “Change,” the sing a long dance sections of “All Your Friends” or the amped up version of “You and I” the band fed off the crowd’s energy and gave it right back for them. Sha w spent every second he wasn’t playing guitar interacting with the crowd as he sprinted down the stage thrust to get closer to the most dedicated fans in the general admission pit.

Harrisburg showed up for The Revivalists and the band in turn return the favor with another memorable performance for the new market. The Forum was a beautiful venue that became even more enhanced by the talent that the band from to the stage and Harrisburg University Presents has continued a winning streak of successful events that rivals major markets across the country. The Revivalists truly did take Harrisburg ‘Into the Stars’ and hopefully they remember this new alternative market on every tour to come.

Tove Lo on the 'Sunshine Kitty' Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 18:46:18 GMT

On Sunday, February 9 Tove Lo brought her Sunshine Kitty Tour to the Fillmore in Philadelphia for a night that was bigger than just the music performed. Tove Lo has always carved her own path within contemporary pop but her latest full length ‘Sunshine Kitty’ continued her trend of re-inventing pop music for a generation that is less black and white in terms of existence.

The crowd of the nearly sold out venue was a mixture of people including couples of varieties, shapes, and forms with a shared love for Tove Lo’s ability to give a voice to their stories and shared ideals. The Fillmore has hosted numerous shows of all genres since it opened a few years back but an argument could be made that none of them were as wonderful as the one that gathered for Tove Lo on a Sunday night. From the minute the doors opened there was an energy in the air of acceptance, happiness and unbridled loves as people were able to exist as their true selves surrounded by like minded/accepting people.

As the lights dimmed for Tove Lo’s arrival to stage the already unified crowd began to roar with approval as the Queen of the Clouds walked out from the side of the stage amid cascading LEDs burst to life around her. Tove Lo wasted no time getting the crowd moving as she danced across the stage right into “Glad He’s Gone” from ‘Sunshine Kitty’ as she promoted the crowd to sing along with her. She didn’t need to ask – they already were and they did for the duration of the night.

Tove Lo has evolved as a performer in her years of touring and she commanded the stage in Philadelphia as she danced and vibed with the crowd on every song. Whether it was stripping a jacket off, a quick change into outfit, dancing freely or jumping into the crowd – Tove Lo was as engaged with her crowd of fans as they were with her.

Across 22 songs Tove Lo gave the crowd everything and left it all on stage for Philadelphia with numerous highlights across a stellar lengthy performance. From start to finish the Swedish singer kept the crowd dancing and when the night ended everyone was left dying for more. Hopefully they won’t have to wait too long to dance with Tove Lo again in Philadelphia.

Sevendust's 'All I See is War' Tour

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 22:03:40 GMT

A year after it’s release Sevendust has continued to tour on the release of ‘All I See is War’ – one of the strongest albums the band has released in it’s two decade existence.

This tour has Sevendust branching out to new fans as they’ve joined a co-headline run with Skillet opening them to many new faces who may have never normally come to a Sevendust concert.

Though the show was on a Wednesdasy night the crowd was clearly in the weekend state of mind as the beer lines wrapped the Freedom Hall Convention at one point in the night before the band’s set. After a supporting set from Pop Evil the stage was set and many of the fans wearing Sevendust shirts grew with anticipation for the set that was going to come. The band had been in the area last a bit over a year ago down the street at the iconic Chameleon Club and many of the same faces packed the crowd of the much larger Freedom Hall Convention Center for Sevendust’s return.

In typical Sevendust fashion the stage was a wash of dramatic color and strobes as Lajon Witherspoon grabbed the microphone to start the night off with a powerful version of “Dirty” from ‘All I See Is War’ that got the crowd moving early. While the band was focused on their new album Sevendust is a band rooted with history and they didn’t shy away from that as they gave the crowd “Denial” as second song of the set – one of their biggest/well known songs.

Sevendust has evolved over the years they have remained very self aware as to what their core sound is and their setlist continues to display this. While the band closed the set with a slower and heartfelt “Thank You” it wasn’t lacking on the heavier side of things as “Face to Face,” “Praise,” and “Pieces” all lead up to the closing number. The crowd remained engaged through the entire set and the band did a great job of feeding off their energy as they rotated around the stage all set.

Across a 14 song set Sevendust why they are touring mainstay and why the deserve to be known as one of the best live bands in metal. The diversity of the set made for a well paced show and the mixture of new content and old content gave all of the fans something to enjoy. Not to mention the fact that the set was accessible enough for the fans in attendance who may have never been to a Sevendust show before. The mosh pit is for everyone and Sevendust welcomed the Lancaster crowd with open arms on a Wednesday night for a show that won’t be soon forgotten in the local scene.

Stone Temple Pilots' Pennsylvania Return

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 14:00:08 GMT

Nearly a year to the date since their last performance (as well as a year into Jeff Gutt’s introduction as the band’s new vocalist) Stone Temple Pilots’ return to the Sherman Theater showcased that even after two decades as a band that the best is still ahead.

In the past year Stone Temple Pilots have toured the world and along the way Jeff Gutt has transformed from a talented new singer to a true frontman. Along the journey Gutts’ vocals remained impressive and solid but his stage presence evolved each show he took the stage.

Last May Stone Temple Pilots visited the Sherman Theater among a run of festival dates as Gutt was being introduced to fans new and old. During the summer Stone Temple Pilots toured heavily with Bush and The Cult as Gutt grew into his role even further. Now, a year later, Gutt has become the frontman Stone Temple Pilots always needed as he is a dominant force on new and old music alike.

Brothers Robert and Dean DeLeo have always been the backbone of Stone Temple Pilots’ dynamic sound and that remains the same for their live performances. Whether new songs, old songs or iconic songs the DeLeo brothers were having a blast on stage at the Sherman Theater as they played to the crowd from the moment they took the stage. Around them Jeff Gutt circled the stage from left to right as he belted out chorus after chorus with both confidence and technical prowess.

Across eighteen songs Stone Temple Pilots took the Sherman Theater crowd on a musical journey that focused as much on the band’s hits as it did their deeper cuts and new music. Gutt’s vocals shined brightly on the band’s newest single “Meadow” but they remained just as remarkable on the updated rendition of “Plush” that the band performed midway through the set.

The crowd remained engaged with the performance all night long as they held their phones high to grab a video clip to show their friends that Stone Temple Pilots were not only back but better than ever. With new music potentially there is no denying that the band will be back through the area soon which will make Stone Temple Pilots fans rejoice. A year has brought them back to the top of their game and in another year they might be playing venues three to four times the size of the Sherman Theater – either way Jeff Gutt, Robert DeLeo, Dean DeLeo, and Eric Kretz will be on stage delivering the best performances of their career.

Dropkick Murphys take over Downtown Lancaster

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 22:00:55 GMT

The Dropkick Murphys have resided solely at the top of the contemporary punk scene for the past decade and every tour has added to their iconic legacy.

This March the band hit the road for a St. Patrick’s Tour that spanned half of February and March combined. The Dropkick Murphys’ don’t shy away from their Irish influence and this March the band sold out nearly every venue it played as fans looked to get out of the house for a few pints and a mosh pit. The 2019 tour brought the band to Lancaster, PA instead of Philadelphia and all for the better as Freedom Hall’s spanning expanse of a floor allowed for over 4,000 fans to sell the space out – possibly one of the biggest shows the venue has ever hosted.

Across well over 20 songs the Dropkick Murphys never gave the crowd a second to rest of crowd surfers flowed over the barricade from the first chords of “The Boys are Back”at the beginning of the set until the last note of the band’s encore. Mosh pits were a plenty as Ken Casey and Al Barr spent almost the entire set hanging on the crowd off a small thrust that was built specifically for them to get closer to their devoted fans.

t was a rowdy night but all within safe means as the crowd fed of the band’s energy on stage – the high intensity set had the crowd sweating almost as much as the band was midway through the set as the band tore through killer renditions of “Blood,” “The Gang’s All Here” and “The State of Massachusetts” to the roar of their approval.

Performance wise the band has never been in tighter form and while that may not hold true to the core of the old punk era in terms of a show it made for one memorable night. Dropkick Murphys have had a tremendous amount of staying power over the years and it is clear a lot of it comes from their touring. There are few bands with a heavy, distinct sound such as their’s and even fewer that can perform it so well live – and not just for the “popular” songs that all the fans will know. Sure, “Rose Tattoo” and “Shipping Up to Boston” were great moments in the set but the show truly shined when the band was digging deeper in their career and the crowd was just as excited as they were for the songs being performed.

Few things compare to a Dropkick Murphys’ concert and even fewer compare to one in the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day – hopefully Pennsylvania doesn’t have to wait until next March to get their dosage of live music from the band.

Pop Evil bring a decade of touring to the Chameleon Club

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 22:55:52 GMT

Well over ten years into it’s existence Pop Evil has remained a mainstay of contemporary rock with frequent appearances at all the major festivals nation wide and numerous headline tours.

During this time Pop Evil has evolved a lot since the era of their debut with ‘Lipstick on the Mirror’ in 2008 and is widely regarded as one of the strongest live performers in modern rock. Last year they released a self titled album that saw them hit the road with Poison and Cheap Trick as well as dominate a club tour of their own – 2019 is off to just as strong as a start for the band as they are headlining their way across America yet again.

The tour kicked off earlier this year and saw Pop Evil return to Lancaster, PA at the Chameleon Club on Tuesday, February 5th. While Tuesday is widely consider one of the worst nights of the week for a concert it didn’t stop Pop Evil from packing all three floors of the club for a night of rock music. The band’s set up dominated the intimate stage of the venue with drummer Hayley Cramer’s kit on a riser towering behind them all.

As the stage lights dimmed and the band’s intro music kicked into lead singer Leigh Kakaty stormed the stage with a massive microphone stand held above his head that was met with a thunderous roar of approval from the Chameleon Club crowd. The set quickly kicked things off with a shot of adrenaline as “Boss’ Daughter” was the first track that Pop Evil unleashed on Lancaster. The song – as did the entire night – saw Kakaty make the most of the tiny stage as he focused heavily on keeping the crowd engaged. Around him Dave Grahs on guitar, Matt DiRito on bass, and Nick Fuelling also on guitar made revolutions around the stage without missing a beat or losing the crowd’s attention as they each interacted with every fan with in reach.

Pop Evil covered a decade of music in their hour plus set and while they weren’t afraid to spotlight their roots with songs like “100 in a 55” and “Deal With the Devil” it was on some of the newer material that the band’s evolution shined brightest. Early in the set Pop Evil showcased their live performance prowess with a performance of recent single “Be Legendary” that more than out shined the studio recording of the album. Kakaty’s vocal control while performing was remarkable and the rest of the band delivered a loose, yet uniform sound behind him that gave the song new life.

Touring can take a lot out of a band over the years whether it be exhaustion or boredom of playing the same song – but that hasn’t happened to Pop Evil. Age has made their music better, their studio content has only gotten better with each year and their live performances have trended upwards in the same way. Lancaster, PA was treated to a special show on a Tuesday night because the number of contemporary rock bands that can put on a performance like Pop Evil are limited.

A decade has grown Pop Evil a lot and there no doubt that the next years will grow them even more as they continue to hold it down for rock music both in the studio and on the road.

Mike Shinoda on the 'Post Traumatic' Era

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 21:52:33 GMT

Creating music away from Linkin Park is not uncharted territory for Shinoda as his work as Fort Minor is just as known to some but this new project contained a lot of new energy that neither before contained.

2017 was a tough year for Linkin Park fans as Chester Bennington, vocalist and co-frontman of the band alongside Shinoda, tragically passed away and there was a period of time where it seemed that the music would only live on in headphones. However, the Linkin Park fans banned together and thoroughly supported Shinoda in the months that followed. This support was the catalyst which fueled him to create as he sifted through this difficult year he was presented with – the result was a light in the dark for Shinoda and the beginning of a new era.

In late January of 2018 the communities supportive comments paid off as Shinoda released some of the first tracks from this new project into the wild. They were raw, lyrically complex and most importantly they were genuinely fantastic tracks – but there was no official word as to whether those few songs would be it or if more would come. Time revealed that the four tracks were just merely a sample of what as to come as debut of a solo album titled “Post Traumatic” released on June 15 and the music it contained was among some of the best and intimate tracks of Shinoda’s career.

After a few small venue appearances, radio concert appearances and festivals, Shinoda announced his initial headline solo tour this summer that spanned the country and was branded as the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour. The routing was expansive and fans rejoiced on social media as they were eager to experience these new songs live as well as possibly hear some of their favorites from Linkin Park, Fort Minor & more. On Monday, October 15 the tour stopped locally at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, PA for a night that would go down as one of the most emotionally charged and truly remarkable gigs the venue has ever hosted.

There was no shortage of material for Mike Shinoda to sift through when determining his set for the show as the ample number of Fort Minor, Linkin Park and new solo songs gave him a widely diverse array of music to draw from. The sheer volume of possibility gave his performance a unique edge of anticipation for the entire set that many artists never fully capture over the course of their entire career. There were emotional highs, moments of moshing and passionate sing-a-longs as Shinoda commanded the stage on his own for a twenty song set. Whether it was a Fort Minor mainstay like “Remember the Name,” the Linkin Park deep cut “When They Come for Me” or the clever mash up of “Over Again/Papercut ” Shinoda kept the Sherman Theater crowd engaged through out the night.

It is hard to say just how long Mike Shinoda’s shows will be like the one he put on Monday night in Stroudsburg and if the time comes that there is more of his solo material with less of Linkin Park/Fort Minor. However his show made one thing clear, Chester Bennington will always be a part of his work and therefore his show as well. Whether it be the beautiful late set tribute that had Shinoda at the piano with the crowd singing Bennington’s parts or just being the subject of his new material he will always be present.

That presence of Chester Bennington in the set doesn’t keep Shinoda from being his own artist as he owned the stage in a way he never used to and proved to any doubters out there that he can do it solo. 2017 was the end of an era for Mike Shinoda but the new one that 2018 brought is bright and hopefully 2019 will be even brighter as Shinoda continues to do what he does best – connect us all through music.

The next chapter for Hozier

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 21:46:27 GMT

After what can only be called a true breakout career moment Hozier quickly became a household name in early 2015 as “Take Me to Church” off his self titled debut dominated the charts and the airwaves.

The singles to follow, “Someone New” and “Jackie and Wilson” further cemented his place within in the genre as Hozier toured heavily on the material – and then as quickly as he burst onto the scene he was gone it seemed leaving us with the burning question of when we would get more from Ireland’s finest musical export this century. The answer turned out to be 2018 as Hozier silently announced a headlining tour that quickly sold out as the new single “Nina Cried Power” began to dominate alternative radio.

By the time the full EP was released on September 6 the Philadelphia show at the Fillmore had already out – flash forward to the show day and that same eagerness could be seen as a long line of fans snaked around the venue hours before doors were set to open. In the years between Hozier’s return to Philadelphia the alternative genre had shifted greatly yet Hozier’s music remained as relevant as ever as more music listeners became more drawn to lyrical content with true depth to it.

The revival of the “blues” sound has also been a rising theme and there uis no question that Hozier embodies this iconic American sound better than anyone else trying to capture the sounds of B.B King or Booker T. Jones. As the house lights went dark and Hozier strolled onto the stage with his guitar there was an energy that captivated the crowd as he started the night slowly before diving into it full force with a riveting rendition of “Like Real People Do.” To his left and right Hozier was flanked with incredible talent that shown bright all night but every moment he opted to dig in a little deeper on a guitar part you were quickly reminded that his talent knew no bounds.

The American protest era inspired “Nina Cried Power” was just the second song Hozier performed for Philadelphia as he set his guitar down to walk around the stage as he pulled his wired microphone and it’s stand a long with him as he gave a performance that would have even given the song’s guest artist Mavis Staples chills. As the evening played out Hozier reminded his fans why they were drawn to him in the first place as he transformed numerous songs off his debut album into soul-filled masterworks that flooded the venue with sound. Every so often Hozier would step away from his towering center stage microphone as we walked around with guitar in hand to perform a solo as light cascaded around him from the stage onto the crowd.

Hozier shined as the crowd belted a sing a long on his massive hit “Take Me to Church” and as they sang softly on the slower sections of “From Eden.” However, the best parts of the set came as Hozier looked towards what is coming next whether with the new songs from his EP or the creative versatility he brought to a cover of “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child during the encore. The set was full of emotion but no moments were stronger than when given the chance to perform the newer songs. Visually Hozier was much looser on these tracks as he dug into deep solos or even walked with guitar at his side as he took in the moment with a smile on his face.

“Nina Cried Power” was the tease, The EP became the preview and the concert became the hype man for the next chapter of Hozier. It’s going to be raw, emotional and bittersweet as it should be but most importantly it is going to likely be a contender for album of the year for the genre. No one could have predicted it would be an Irishman who would become the savior of the American blues sound and there is little question that the months ahead will further cement Hozier as one of the greatest blues singers of all time.

The next chapter is almost here.

Hozier is ready, are you?

Imagine Dragons help Radio 104.5 celebrate the station's birthday

mchristine@santander-arena.com (Matt Christine) — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 21:37:26 GMT

The story of Imagine Dragons and Radio 104.5 goes back to the very beginning when the band played a Summer Block Party in 2012 early in their career, this well before the chart topping success, multiple stadium/arena tours and more that they are known for today.

‘Radioactive’ went on to be the one of the biggest songs of 2012 with numerous singles to follow from ‘Night Visions’ and of course the two consecutive albums since their debut that were both loaded with successful singles. Radio 104.5 has been pivotal to the discovery of countless amounts of great talent over the years and has continued to actively promote both upcoming and established artists with their annual Birthday Shows. The station has also continued to grow their free concert series all summer long with the ‘Block Party Series’ and ‘Winter Jawn’ show in early January.

Few stories in alternative music are as good as the massive success of Imagine Dragons as the band has nominated the charts for the past 2 years. Their return to the area for night two of the Radio 104.5 11th Birthday show marked an incredible full circle moment for both the band and the station. Along the journey both the band and Dan Reynolds have evolved into the most committed activists in alternative music as they’ve become very outspoken for the LGBTQ rights movement. Doors were set to open at 1PM but the line in front of the venue spanned a long distance of Imagine Dragons fans who were ready to camp out in the pit for hours to come – many of them holding pride flags and wearing Imagine Dragon shirts proudly. The band and Reynolds just released a powerful documentary titled ‘Believer’ that was filmed in the past year of their efforts to support the LGBTQ community with both a festival in Utah and constant support from the band. Posters for the feature were set up in the lobby of the BB&T Pavalion but many fans ran right past to get the closets spots to the stage – conversations could be overheard later that seemingly many in attendance had already watched the freshly released film earlier that weak in anticipation for the band’s return.

As the stage was set the house lights came on to reveal a diverse crowd of adults and children alike who were their to experience the best alternative music of this century. It is easy to get caught up in the statistics of Imagine Dragons with their numerous singles, their massive success touring and their incredible digital sales in an era that has shown signs of fatigue but their true appeal is their universe message of hope and love with their music. Reynolds has become the activist this generation needed as mentioned earlier but even before his outspoken outbreak the band had always managed to find beauty in the impossible and hope in the dark. This thread extends through their entire discography and is the unifying force that helped bring 25,000 to Camden on the hottest day of the year.

Imagine Dragons wasted no time that evening as the stage burst to life in orange light as the band rose from behind the drum kit as they played an original introduction to ‘Radioactive’ before Dan Reynolds came running down the thrust on the stage and Co2 burst around him to kick the night off in dramatic fashion. The band has come a long way their since Radio 104.5 debut under a white tent in the summer sun on a stage no bigger than a hundred square feet – though the fans remain the same as they jumped forward with joy from this first song to the last note of the last song. Reynolds took some time to both introduce the band and thank everyone including the radio station for coming to see them after the first song; it was then that he saw a fan in the front row holding a pride flag up that he reached out to grab for a few moments.

A brief but impactful message was delivered then as the crowd roared as Reynolds held the flag high above his head as he gave an strong message that asked for this concert to be a place of safety, inclusion and no judgement as fans were united by music. He kept the flag as he turned around to Wayne Sermon on guitar with a smile as they began a slow building version of ‘It’s Time’ to the approval of the crowd. Reynolds eventually went on to return the flag to it’s owner in the front of the crowded pit but the message remained the same all night long from the band and the show pressed on as Ben McKee on bass and Daniel Platzman on drums led the band into one of their more recent songs ‘Whatever It Takes.’

Across eighteen songs the band showcased their evolution as a band and a long the way treated the Radio 104.5 crowd to a truly beautiful performance. The show spanned their entire catalog but leaned heavily on songs from their newest album ‘Believer’ as it should have – these songs hold the truest to who Imagine Dragons have become as people and performers as well as translating into stunning tracks when performed live. A highlight of the set came just about midway into it as a passionate and emotional ‘Mouth of the River’ was bled into a very new song that was made with Kygo titled ‘Born to Be Yours.’ There was confetti rain, there were giagantic beach balls that fell from the ceiling, their was more confetti that was shot across the the entire venue and most of all their was hope. Reynolds has become a true frontman and no longer shys away from speaking his mind both on and off stage. While the band was performing ‘Demons’ he took some time to speak on depression and the importance of life as he asked no one to take their life from those who love them as a Make Chester Proud sign was displayed from the crowd on the massive split screens behind the band.

The night wasn’t somber or down, as Reynolds said he himself suffers from depression but it wasn’t about feeling down about it. The concert was about having the ability to move past that and live a great life. Radio 104.5 helped give Imagine Dragons the tools in their earliest days to grow to a band of this size and importance that has sold out almost every show across the country. The work that Reynolds and the band has done in the past two years has been remarkable but a lot of credit is owed to the stations like Radio 104.5 who took a chance on them from day one. The station has constantly put talented artistry first over the past eleven years and they did so yet again with Imagine Dragon’s homecoming being supported by such talented bands. It is hard to think about but harder to resist wondering where Imagine Dragons and Radio 104.5 will be in eleven more years – maybe by then the world will be a different place but if not I think they will be right where they are now fighting the good fight on stage with support from the best radio station around.

Liam Gallagher returns to Pennsylvania for the first time in a decade

Sun, 20 May 2018 21:42:46 GMT

This is the story of Liam Gallagher’s gig in Philadelphia and it is nothing short of a saga worthy of enscribing into the history books of true rock n’ roll

In an ironic yet symbolic fashion the city of Philadelphia was shadowed with a dreary London-esque overcast with rain for the duration of the day. This unpleasant weather pattern had been cited as the reason the decision had been made to move the night was moved indoor from it’s original location at Festival Pier to the Fillmore. The venue opened doors early, around 6:30PM, and the sea of umbrella carrying fans filled inside to get a pint or whiskey before taking their places on the massive floor of the Fillmore.

For many fans this night was their first experience getting to see Liam Gallagher perform a gig. Some of them were late to the Oasis train for whatever reason it may have been, others were simply too young when the band was in it’s peak and some were even just introduced to Gallagher when his solo album came out last year. These newcomers were quick to kick up conversation with the veterans in attendance who were even quicker to trade stories of other gigs they had caught Gallagher at – a few even alluded to a coveted ‘biblical’ gig, a phrase that Gallagher had reserved for only the best shows of the tour. The anticipation for the start of the show was palpable and the postponement of the November show only served to add to the level of energy that filled the room.

Gallagher wasted no time and used few words as he approached the microphone to simply say “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” as strobe lights flashed around him to state the show. Less is more though as the crowd erupted with applause as the band kicked off the gig with the Oasis classic and moved quickly into “Morning Glory” with Gallagher only taking time to toss a fan a tambourine in between the two iconic songs. Initially hidden behind a sleek pair of sunglasses Gallagher was quick to toss them aside as the set pushed on into his solo material but his signature parka remained in place for the duration of the 12 song set.

Whether Gallagher was performing solo songs, Oasis hits or even some deeper cuts his vocals were spot on and the crowd knew early on that this Philadelphia gig was going to be one of the special nights of this shorter US tour taking place. The band was equally tight for the duration of the set and the mix was perfectly done allowing Gallagher’s strong vocals to carry the set from start to finish.

It was not a show – it was a concert, a true rock n’ roll gig in the big city and Gallagher, while serious when performing, kept things light through out the night as he bantered with the crowd and offered a sincere apologize for the November cancellation before he performed a remarkable live version of “For What It’s Worth.”

There was no denying that the Oasis songs factored heavily into the set but artistically Gallagher’s new material of his solo album ‘As You Were’ offered him a wider range of material to work with during the set. Some of the slower songs allowed Gallagher’s voice to really resonate into the venue and at one point while he was performing “Bold” the crowd erupted in thunderous applause at the end of the strong showing of talent.

The second time around proved to be the charm for Liam Gallagher’s arrival to Philadelphia and it was possibly the gig of the year for the city of Philadelphia. During the set Gallagher promised he would return and mentioned the possibility of his new album being out in the next year or so. Whether he is back supporting more new material or another run on the current album there will be no question that Philadelphia will show up for ‘RKID’ and he will put on all he has for them in return. Call it ‘biblical,’ ‘mega,’ ‘legendary,’ or whatever else you will – Liam Gallagher is the last true rock star and this show was one more chapter in his legacy.