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

September 12, 2023

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

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

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

By Matt Christine • November 14, 2025
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.

Taylor Acorn returns home to Pennsylvania at the Archer Music Hall

By Matt Christine • November 12, 2025
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.

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

By Matt Christine • September 19, 2025
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.