Three rock bands brought generations of fans together in San Antonio!
Some concerts bring together people who grew up listening to the same bands. Others introduce a whole new generation to the music that their parents have been playing for years. Friday night at the Aztec Theatre felt like both.
Last night, Skillet brought their Comatose 20 Years: Still Screaming Tour to San Antonio for a sold-out show, joined by Autumn Kings and Escape The Fate. Fans had been lining up outside the venue long before doors opened, hoping to get as close to the barricade as possible. Inside, the crowd was a mix of ages, from longtime rock fans to younger listeners experiencing these bands live for the first time.
There were parents bringing their kids, groups of friends wearing band shirts, and plenty of people ready to sing along to every song. Watching different generations enjoy the same music was one of the best parts of the evening. Honestly, it gave us a little more faith in humanity.
With three rock bands on the lineup and a packed theatre, San Antonio was in for a pretty loud Thursday night.
AUTUMN KINGS
Opening the evening was Canadian rock band Autumn Kings, and they didn’t seem interested in taking their time warming up the room. From the moment they started playing, the band brought a playful attitude, plenty of movement, and the kind of stage chemistry that makes an opening set worth arriving early for.
Frontmen Joe Coccimiglio and Jake Diab worked especially well together. Their back-and-forth vocals and interaction gave the performance an interesting dynamic, with both musicians bringing their own personality to the stage. Rather than having one vocalist carry everything, they shared the spotlight and kept the performance moving.
The band, featuring touring and additional members including Troy Dawdy and Jake Matthews, moved through a set that included “Sleep When I’m Dead,” “Power,” “Gone, Gone, Gone,” “Only Human,” “Young Bloods,” and “Hellbound.”
“Power” was a particularly fitting moment for the band’s sound, with its driving rock approach and strong vocal delivery. Throughout the set, there was a nice balance between heavier guitar moments and more melodic sections, making their music accessible without losing its edge.
Visually, Autumn Kings also made good use of the stage. There was plenty of movement, interaction between the musicians, and a sense that they were genuinely enjoying themselves up there. That chemistry translated well to the audience.
It’s always interesting to see an opening band play in front of people who might not know every song yet. Autumn Kings handled that challenge with confidence and personality. They gave the crowd a good introduction to their music and made sure the night started with plenty of energy.
ESCAPE THE FATE
The atmosphere shifted when Escape The Fate took the stage. The Las Vegas rock band brought a heavier, darker sound to the evening, with a set built around aggressive guitars, emotional vocals, and choruses that practically invited the audience to sing along.
Frontman Craig Mabbitt led the performance with plenty of attitude, while drummer Robert Ortiz and guitarists Matti Hoffman and Erik Jensen kept the music tight and driving. The band had a more intense presence than the opening act, and the difference in sound worked well for the lineup.
They kicked things into gear with songs including “Paranoia” and “Gorgeous Nightmare,” before moving through “American Idle Potential” and “Déjà Vu.” The set continued with “Last Goodbye,” followed by “This War Is Ours (The Guillotine II)” and “Money For The Money.”
There was a strong emotional side to the performance, particularly when the crowd joined in on the bigger choruses. You could see longtime fans reacting to familiar songs while younger members of the audience were getting into the band’s heavier sound. It wasn’t just about standing and watching. People were singing, raising their hands, and responding to the band throughout the set.
“This War Is Ours (The Guillotine II)” was one of the moments that stood out, especially with the audience getting involved. The song has the kind of dramatic build and guitar work that fits Escape The Fate’s style perfectly.
The band delivered a loud, straightforward rock performance without overcomplicating things. They knew what their audience wanted, and they gave them a solid set before Skillet took over.
SKILLET
Comatose 20 Years: Still Screaming Tour
By the time Skillet came out, the sold-out Aztec Theatre was ready. This wasn’t just another stop on a tour. The band was celebrating 20 years of Comatose, the album that remains an important part of its history and one that helped introduce its music to a much wider audience.
From the beginning, the production made it clear that the headlining set was going to be a different experience. Large screens filled the stage with graphics and visuals, while the lighting added another layer to the performance. The setup gave the historic Aztec a much bigger rock-show feel.
Frontman John Cooper took charge with his familiar combination of powerful vocals, crowd interaction, and motivational messages. Alongside him, Korey Cooper, Jen Ledger, and Seth Morrison sounded tight throughout the set. The band has a strong musical identity, but what makes its live shows work is how much personality each member brings to the stage.
The set included several songs from the band’s catalog, starting with “Rebirthing,” “The Last Night,” “Better Than Drugs,” and “Comatose.” Hearing those tracks as part of the anniversary celebration gave longtime fans plenty of reasons to sing along. The band also brought out “Scream,” “Psycho In My Head,” “Hero,” and “Monster,” keeping the set balanced between the Comatose era and other familiar songs. They finished their powerful set with “Resistance.”
A POWERFUL PERFORMANCE THAT CONNECTS
One detail that added to the visual side of the show was the use of raised platforms on either side of the stage. At different points, both Korey and Seth climbed onto their respective platforms as they played, giving fans farther back a better view of the musicians and adding some movement to the production.
John also made time to connect with the audience between songs, offering personal shout-outs and sharing positive messages. Skillet’s Christian rock background is an important part of its identity, and that message was present without taking away from the music or the overall concert experience. The atmosphere felt welcoming, with fans of different ages and backgrounds enjoying the same songs together.
And the sound? The band delivered. The guitars had plenty of weight, the drums hit hard, and the vocals came through with the power these songs need. “Monster” and “Hero” were among the moments that brought out some of the loudest reactions from the audience.
Twenty years after Comatose, Skillet still knows how to put together a big rock show, and this San Antonio performance was a good example of that.
THE STORY BEHIND THE BAND
