Four bands, one energetic crowd!
By the time the doors opened at the Aztec Theatre, fans were already lined up around the block wearing black band shirts, chains, eyeliner, patches, and platform boots. Some people looked like they had followed Black Veil Brides since the early 2010s, while younger fans were clearly seeing the band live for the first time. But this night felt bigger than just one band. Black Veil Brides brought along three strong opening acts, As December Falls, TX2, and From Ashes to New, turning the whole evening into a full celebration of modern rock and alternative music. From the first set to the final encore, the energy inside the theater kept building louder and louder.
That mix gave the whole night a cool feeling. Parents stood next to teenagers. Groups of friends screamed every time the venue speakers played intro music between sets.
Inside, the air felt warm before the first band even started. The Aztec’s old walls and glowing lights gave the night a dramatic backdrop that fit the music perfectly. Every set brought a different kind of energy, from emotional rock melodies to aggressive breakdowns and crowd chants. Nobody stood still for long.
What stood out most was how alive the audience felt all night. Fans jumped into mosh pits, threw horns in the air, sang every word, and still made space for younger kids near the barricade. It felt welcoming instead of intimidating. In a music scene that sometimes gets overlooked, nights like this remind you how strong the rock community still is in Texas.
AS DECEMBER FALLS
Opening the night is never easy, especially with a crowd waiting for heavier bands later in the lineup, but As December Falls handled it well. The band from Nottingham came out with confidence and immediately pushed energy into the room with “Carousel.” Vocalist Bethany Curtis had a natural connection with the audience right away. She balanced humor, attitude, and emotion without trying too hard, which made the set feel honest.
Even though their set was shorter than the others, the band used every minute wisely. “Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine” sounded sharp live, especially with the crowd beginning to loosen up and move around more. Guitarist Ande Hunter and bassist Timmy Francis kept things active across the stage while drummer Lukas James gave the songs extra punch.
One of the strongest moments came during “Mayday” and “Teeth.” The hooks landed well with fans who may not have known the songs before the night started. You could actually see people near the back pulling out phones to search for the band mid-set. That always says something.
Bethany also did a great job speaking to the crowd between songs without dragging things out. It felt relaxed and personal. By the time they closed with “Therapy,” the audience was fully paying attention. For an opening band playing early in the evening, that is a win.
TX2
If there was one artist determined to leave every ounce of energy on the stage, it was TX2. Timothy Evan Thomas barely stopped moving from the second the set began. He sprinted across the stage, screamed lyrics directly into the crowd, and somehow still kept his vocals together through songs like “Feed” and “Vendetta.”
The atmosphere changed fast once TX2 started playing. Fans pushed closer together, the pit opened wider, and suddenly the venue felt louder. Timothy knows exactly how to command attention without making things feel forced. His performance style has a chaotic edge, but there is also humor and self-awareness in the way he interacts with the audience.
Songs like “HOSTAGE (they will not erase us)” and “So Numb” connected hard with younger fans in the crowd. People screamed every lyric back at him. The emotional frustration in the music felt real, especially live. Guitarist Cameron Rostami, bassist Courtney Howard, and drummer Ethan Church matched that intensity well, helping the set feel explosive from beginning to end.
The wildest moment came when Timothy and Cameron jumped directly into the crowd during the set. Suddenly the pit became part of the performance itself. Fans circled around them while still singing along and filming everything on their phones. It was messy in the best way possible.
Closing with “I Would Hate Me Too” felt like the perfect ending for a set built on emotional release and nonstop movement. Whether people loved the chaos or were just trying to process it, nobody ignored TX2.
FROM ASHES TO NEW
From Ashes to New brought the heaviest sound of the night and easily one of the tightest performances too. From the opening moments of “New Disease,” the band hit with massive riffs, heavy bass, and dual vocals that gave the set a constant push and pull between melody and aggression.
Matt Brandyberry and Danny Case worked together naturally on stage. One moment Matt delivered rap verses with sharp intensity, then Danny would jump in with soaring choruses that filled the whole theater. That contrast gave songs like “Nightmare” and “Heartache” extra weight live.
The crowd reaction kept growing as the set moved forward. During “Drag Me” and “Villain,” fans in the pit slammed into each other while others stood with phones in the air recording every second. Even people sitting in the balconies got involved.
Musically, the band sounded huge. Jimmy Bennett’s guitar work carried a thick and aggressive tone while Lance Dowdle and Mat Madiro kept everything grounded with powerful rhythm. There was very little downtime between songs, which made the performance feel intense without becoming exhausting.
One of the loudest crowd reactions came during “Barely Breathing” and “Die For You.” Fans sang those choruses back so loudly that parts of the band’s vocals disappeared under the crowd noise.
By the end of “Panic,” the room already felt like a headliner crowd. From Ashes To New proved why they continue growing in the modern rock world. Their set balanced heaviness, hooks, and emotion without losing momentum.
BLACK VEIL BRIDES
North America 2026 Tour
By the time Black Veil Brides finally took the stage, the Aztec Theatre felt packed wall to wall. The crowd exploded the second Andy Biersack walked out, and honestly, the band never lost control of the room after that.
Opening with “Knives And Pens” was a smart move. Older fans immediately screamed every word while younger fans jumped into the moment just as hard. Andy carried himself like someone fully aware of the connection this band still has with people. He switched easily between aggressive vocals, quieter emotional moments, and playful interactions with the audience.
The setlist balanced older material with newer songs really well. “Bleeders” and “Coffin” gave the show a darker and heavier feeling, while songs like “Rebel Love Song” and “Fallen Angels” turned the entire venue into a sing-along. During “Beautiful Remains,” phone lights covered the room and the mood shifted into something more reflective.
Musically, the band sounded locked in. Jinxx and Jake Pitts traded riffs and solos constantly while bassist Lonny Eagleton kept moving across the stage with drummer Christian “CC” Coma pushing the songs forward from behind the kit.
One of the best moments came during “Perfect Weapon.” Fans near the barricade screamed every lyric with almost shocking intensity. It reminded everyone how deeply these songs connected with a generation of rock fans growing up online during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
The encore sealed the night perfectly. “In The End” felt huge live, not because of giant production tricks, but because every person in the room treated the song like it belonged to them personally. That kind of connection cannot be faked.
A New Generation of Rock Fans
One thing that stood out all night was the age range in the crowd. Younger fans stood side by side with people who have followed these bands for over a decade. Some kids looked like they were attending one of their first rock shows ever, and honestly, that felt important.
Rock concerts sometimes get labeled as fading or less relevant, but nights like this tell a different story. Fans still care deeply about this music. They dress up for it, scream lyrics together, and treat these shows like a space where they can fully be themselves.
The Aztec Theatre became more than just a venue for a few hours. It felt like a meeting place for people who grew up on heavy guitars, emotional lyrics, and loud choruses. Seeing younger fans discover that energy in real time made the whole night feel hopeful for the future of rock music.
The Story Behind Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, before eventually building a massive following out of Los Angeles during the late 2000s. Led by vocalist Andy Biersack, the band mixed glam metal visuals, metalcore energy, and emotional themes that connected deeply with younger fans searching for music that felt personal.
Albums like We Stitch These Wounds and Set the World on Fire helped turn the group into one of the defining rock bands of the early 2010s alternative scene. Songs about identity, isolation, resilience, and self-expression gave fans something real to hold onto.
Over the years, the lineup evolved, but the band kept its dramatic sound and strong fan connection intact. Today, Black Veil Brides still pull crowds across generations, proving their music has lasted far beyond the internet era where many people first discovered them.
