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

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.

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.