Table of Contents

Recap

When I saw Falling in Reverse on their Popular Monstour II tour, the lineup was absolutely stacked, and every opener brought something different and exciting to the stage. The show kicked off with Jeris Johnson, who immediately hyped up the crowd with his unique blend of rock, electronic, and pop-punk influences. Known for his viral success on TikTok and his remix collaborations with artists like Papa Roach, Jeris came out swinging with a set full of energetic, punchy tracks. His enthusiasm was contagious, and his interactive style had the audience chanting and moving early in the night. His breakout single “Damn!” had the crowd roaring, and he left the stage with the crowd amped up for what was to come.

After Jeris, Tech N9ne took over, completely shifting the atmosphere with his legendary fast-paced rap style. Tech’s set was one of the highlights of the night for me. His ability to deliver incredibly complex, rapid-fire verses without missing a beat was mesmerizing. Tracks like “Caribou Lou” and “Fragile” showcased his lyrical dexterity, while his high-energy performance had everyone on their feet. You could see that even fans unfamiliar with his work were impressed by his technical skill and the intensity he brought to the stage. It was awesome to see how well he connected with a crowd more used to rock and metal, and his presence added a fresh dynamic to the evening.

Next up was Black Veil Brides, and they didn’t disappoint. The band stormed the stage with their signature gothic look and larger-than-life presence. They opened with “Scarlet Cross,” and the audience immediately erupted into cheers. Their set was filled with fan favorites like “In the End” and “Knives and Pens,” and their polished, anthemic sound filled the entire venue. What stood out most was the way they controlled the stage; frontman Andy Biersack’s deep, commanding voice resonated with the crowd, and their theatrical style felt almost cinematic. The pyrotechnics during their performance only added to the spectacle, making it one of the most visually stunning sets of the night.

Following Black Veil Brides, Dance Gavin Dance brought their intricate post-hardcore sound to the forefront. Their mix of clean and unclean vocals, courtesy of Tilian Pearson and Jon Mess, created a dynamic interplay that kept the audience engaged throughout their set. Songs like “We Own the Night” and “Prisoner” demonstrate their complex guitar work and progressive arrangements, giving the crowd something different to latch onto after the straightforward rock from Black Veil Brides. The technical skill of guitarist Will Swan was on full display, and the crowd responded with equal parts excitement and awe. Their music has a more layered, experimental sound, and it brought a fresh energy just before Falling in Reverse’s set.

Finally, when Falling in Reverse hit the stage, the energy in the room was at an all-time high. Ronnie Radke is a true showman, and from the first few moments of “Zombified,” the crowd was entirely in his hands. The visual aspect of their performance was spectacular; massive LED screens played dark, dystopian imagery that perfectly matched the themes of their music.

The pyrotechnics were explosive (literally), especially during songs like “Watch the World Burn,” where fire shot up from the stage, heightening the intensity. The band played a great mix of both old hits and newer material. Songs like “The Drug in Me is You” and “I’m Not a Vampire” were nostalgic moments that had everyone singing along, while newer tracks like “Popular Monster” were just as explosive and emotional live as they are recorded. Ronnie’s ability to switch between aggressive screams and softer, melodic sections kept the set varied and engaging.

The production values were some of the best I’ve seen, with every element, from the lights and pyrotechnics to the sound design, feeling finely tuned to amplify the band’s larger-than-life persona. As a longtime fan of Falling in Reverse, I was thrilled with how they managed to balance their early music with their newer, more genre-blending material. Overall, this tour was a high-octane experience from start to finish, with each act contributing their own unique flavor to an unforgettable night.