By Nate Follmer

Reviewed by Erica McNatt

State College was treated to one of A Day to Remember’s “Couple More Shows” as Stand Atlantic, August Burns Red, and A Day to Remember hit the stage for an evening filled with pop-punk, metalcore, and post-hardcore. 

Kicking things off was the Australian pop-punk band Stand Atlantic, whose high-energy performance set the tone for the evening. Despite being the opening act, they commanded the stage with a confidence and intensity that felt much bigger than their spot on the lineup. 

The band’s setlist was a mix of tracks from WAS HERE and f.e.a.r. Even though their set was cut short due to an injury in the crowd, “Deathwish,” their final song, had the venue’s energy right back at 11. 

Next up was August Burns Red, whose blend of intricate riffs, breakdowns, and blast beats took the energy up several notches past 11. As a band that has been in the metal scene for as long as I can remember, their live show has evolved into a tightly orchestrated masterpiece of heavy metalcore precision. As soon as August Burns Red hit the stage dressed up for Halloween, I knew we were in for a unique show. 

Vocalist Jake Luhrs, dressed as Kretos from God of War, was a commanding presence, his guttural screams and soaring clean vocals providing an intensity that perfectly matched the intricate instrumentation. Guitarists JB Brubaker and Brent Rambler were in top form, effortlessly weaving complex guitar lines with powerful breakdowns, while drummer Matt Greiner pounded away behind the kit with impeccable precision. The band’s ability to blend melody with sheer heaviness is one of the defining aspects of their sound. Jeremy McKinnon joined the band early in the set to share vocal responsibilities on “Ghosts” and gave the audience a small sampling of what was to come when A Day to Remember had their turn on stage. 

Finally, A Day to Remember took the stage, and with it came an undeniable sense of anticipation. This was a band with a reputation for throwing some of the most memorable live shows in the scene, and they did not disappoint. The lights dimmed, and the opening riff of “Sticks & Bricks” sent the crowd into a frenzy. Immediately, the venue was filled with that classic ADTR energy—moshing, crowd-surfing, and an atmosphere of pure unfiltered fun. You know it’s going to be a good set when the confetti is launched at the beginning of the show. 

The band, now well into their career and with multiple platinum albums under their belt, played a career-spanning set that touched on a little bit of everything in their catalog, even a cover of “Since You’ve Been Gone.” Frontman McKinnon’s command of the crowd was absolute, with his sing-alongs and call-and-response moments serving as some of the most engaging parts of the night. From the bouncy hooks of “All I Want” to the more emotional “If It Means a Lot to You,” ADTR created an atmosphere that was equal parts cathartic and celebratory.

Musically, the band’s versatility stood out. They balanced their heavier material like “2nd Sucks” and “Mr. Highway’s Thinking About The End” with the more melodic anthems like “Have Faith in Me” and “If It Means A Lot to You.” Including a two-song encore, the band played a staggering 22-song set. We definitely got our money’s worth and then some. 

Overall, the night at the Bryce Jordan Center was an incredible experience. We don’t often get heavier bands stopping in Central PA, so it was nice to see a large turnout that might put us on the map for future tours. Stand Atlantic set the bar high with their infectious pop-punk energy, August Burns Red demonstrated their metalcore mastery with precision and power, and A Day to Remember proved once again why they’re one of the biggest names in modern rock. Each band brought their own unique flavor to the show, but they all shared one thing in common—an unwavering commitment to putting on a show that fans will remember. It was definitely *puts on sunglasses* A Day to Remember. 

I’ll show myself out. 

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