Breaking Benjamin Review with Photos 10-10-26

Four distinct approaches to modern rock converged at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on Saturday, October 10, as Kami Kehoe, Starset, Chevelle and Breaking Benjamin delivered a night of heavy riffs, cinematic visuals, fan favorites and new music.

    The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands welcomed an impressive lineup of modern rock on Saturday, October 10, as Breaking Benjamin headlined a night featuring Chevelle, Starset and rising multi-instrumentalist Kami Kehoe. The four acts brought distinctly different personalities to the stage, moving from Kehoe's energetic, genre-blending performance through Starset's futuristic presentation and Chevelle's hard-hitting alternative metal before Breaking Benjamin closed the evening with a career-spanning collection of songs. With music ranging from early-2000s rock anthems to newer releases and cinematic hard rock, the lineup offered something for fans across multiple generations of the genre.

Kami Kehoe: A Rising Rock Force Takes Command of the Stage

“Kami Kehoe brought the energy, the attitude and the drums to an opening set that refused to stand still.”

    Kami Kehoe kicked off the evening at 6:00 p.m., but rather than simply walking out with her band, she made an immediate statement by taking a place behind the drum kit for a brief introductory drum performance before the rest of the musicians entered. The introduction established the rhythm-driven identity at the center of her music and gave the crowd an early glimpse of her abilities as a multi-instrumentalist. Kehoe has built her reputation by combining alternative rock, pop, punk, metal and electronic influences, drawing on her background as a drummer while developing a distinctive identity as a vocalist and songwriter. Her growing presence on major rock tours has helped introduce her music to audiences who might otherwise have discovered her through streaming platforms and social media.

    Following the drum introduction, Kehoe took her place front and center stage, launching into “PSYCHO,” before moving into “SOMETHING IN THE WATER” and “UR GONE.” The revised setlist quickly established a heavier, more focused opening than originally anticipated. “Fade Out” brought Kehoe back to the drums, where she played through the song's closing section before remaining behind the kit for “Kandy.” The transition showcased the versatility that separates her from many emerging frontwomen, as she moved naturally between singing at the front of the stage and taking control of the rhythm section herself.

    At the front of the stage, Kehoe grabbed a water bottle and threw water over the crowd toward the pit, adding a playful and energetic moment to the performance. The set continued with “THE END” and “LOVE IS A WEAPON,” two songs that helped demonstrate the darker, heavier direction of her music. Kehoe then returned behind the drum kit once again for “SLEEP WHEN IM DEAD,” reinforcing the importance of percussion to her musical identity. She ultimately returned to her frontwoman position for “DOPAMINE,” leaving the drums behind for the closing number while once again dousing the pit crowd with water from a bottle several times.

    The performance demonstrated that Kehoe is much more than an emerging vocalist opening for established rock acts. Her ability to shift between instruments, connect with the audience and maintain an energetic stage presence gave the opening set a personality of its own. With a revised nine-song performance that included multiple trips behind the drum kit and plenty of interaction with the crowd, Kehoe made effective use of her time onstage and set the evening in motion.

Starset: A Cinematic Journey Into the Band's Science-Fiction Universe

“Starset turned the Pavilion into a futuristic rock experience, balancing theatrical presentation with the power of its newest music.”

    At 6:50 p.m., Starset took the stage and shifted the evening into a more cinematic atmosphere. Formed in Columbus, Ohio, in 2013 by vocalist and songwriter Dustin Bates, Starset has developed a distinctive identity through its combination of alternative metal, electronic music, orchestral arrangements and science-fiction storytelling. The band has built an interconnected fictional universe around its music, using elaborate visuals, futuristic costumes and carefully constructed stage presentations to make its concerts feel like chapters in a larger story.

    The performance opened with “p a r a d 0 x 1 c,” one of two newer songs released during the summer, followed by “Carnivore.” The band performed the first two songs in full attire, maintaining the visual identity that has become a major part of the Starset experience. The futuristic presentation complemented the layered sound, with heavy guitars and electronic textures creating the dramatic foundation for Bates' vocals. The opening also gave fans an opportunity to hear one of the group's newest compositions alongside an established favorite from its earlier catalog.

    For “Brave New World,” Bates removed his mask and sang unmasked for the remainder of the set, creating a visual transition as the performance moved forward. “Monster” followed, bringing one of Starset's best-known songs into the mix before “SILOS” continued the band's combination of atmospheric passages and heavy instrumentation. The performance then moved into
“a n n 1 h 1 l a t 1 0 n,” the second of the band's newer summer releases, before “TokSik” added another dose of the group's modern, electronically charged hard rock.

    Throughout the performance, Starset maintained the balance between spectacle and musicianship that has helped it stand apart from other bands in the genre. Bates also thanked the audience for being part of their “Space Cult,” acknowledging the devoted community that has grown around the band's music and elaborate conceptual universe. It was a fitting moment for a group whose relationship with its fans extends beyond individual songs into an ongoing shared experience.

    The set concluded with “My Demons,” one of the band's signature songs and a defining moment in its live performances. The familiar anthem provided a strong finish to an eight-song set that incorporated both established favorites and newer material. Starset's performance offered a striking contrast to Kehoe's more direct, interactive opening set while building the atmosphere for the heavier, guitar-driven performance that would follow.

Chevelle: Alternative Metal Veterans Bring the Riffs and the Hits

“Chevelle combined the aggression of its newest material with the familiar anthems that have defined the band for more than two decades.”

    Chevelle took the stage at 8:00 p.m., bringing a more stripped-down but equally powerful approach to the evening. Formed in Illinois in the mid-1990s, the band became a major force in alternative metal and mainstream rock through the success of albums such as Wonder What's Next and This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In). The group built its reputation around the partnership of brothers Pete Loeffler, the lead vocalist and guitarist, and Sam Loeffler, the drummer, whose tightly controlled rhythms and heavy arrangements became central to the band's sound. Their longtime history has helped establish Chevelle as one of the most recognizable acts to emerge from the late-1990s and early-2000s alternative-rock movement.

    The current touring lineup continues to center on Pete and Sam Loeffler, with touring bassist Kemble Walters filling out the trio. The band's live identity remains rooted in the interaction between Pete's guitar work and vocals and Sam's forceful drumming, creating a massive sound without requiring an elaborate lineup. Chevelle's career has been defined by a willingness to explore darker lyrical themes and unconventional arrangements while retaining the hooks that made its biggest songs radio staples.

    Chevelle opened with “Family System,” followed by “Self Destructor” and “Vitamin R (Leading Us Along).” The early stretch established the intensity of the performance, bringing together material from different periods of the band's catalog. “Pale Horse,” one of the newest songs from the band's latest album, followed before “An Island” continued the set's combination of intricate guitar work and heavy alternative-metal rhythms. The revised setlist then moved into “Hats Off to the Bull,” bringing another established song into the performance before “Face to the Floor” delivered one of the band's most recognizable modern rock singles.

    The band continued with “Jim Jones (Cowards Pt. 2),” another of the newer songs from its latest album, giving fans an additional opportunity to hear the direction Chevelle has taken with its more recent material. “The Clincher” followed, leading into “Send the Pain Below,” one of the group's defining early-2000s hits. The latter remains an important part of the band's legacy, connecting its early commercial breakthrough to a catalog that has continued to evolve without abandoning its signature sound.

    “Comfortable Liar” and “The Red” kept the momentum moving toward the conclusion. Both songs represent the era when Chevelle established itself as a leading name in alternative metal and their continued presence in the setlist reflects the lasting connection fans have with the band's early material. The performance ended with “Mars Simula,” bringing the set to a powerful close.

    In a personal moment after the performance, Pete Loeffler handed a setlist from the stage to a fan celebrating a birthday. It was a simple but memorable gesture that added a human touch to a set otherwise defined by heavy guitars and relentless energy. Chevelle delivered a strong balance of classic material and new songs, reinforcing its reputation as a band that can move forward musically while remaining faithful to the sound that built its following.

Breaking Benjamin: A Career-Spanning Set Brings the Night Home

“From the opening video to the final notes of ‘The Diary of Jane,’ Breaking Benjamin delivered the songs and atmosphere that have made them modern rock mainstays.”

    At 9:30 p.m., Breaking Benjamin took the stage with a Windows XP introduction played from tape and accompanied by a video visualization. The nostalgic computer imagery provided a distinctive opening before the band launched into “I Will Not Bow,” immediately shifting the Pavilion into headliner mode. The presentation set the tone for a performance that drew from more than two decades of music, bringing together the band's earliest releases, platinum-era radio favorites and newer material.

    Led by founding vocalist and guitarist Benjamin Burnley, Breaking Benjamin emerged from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and developed into one of the most successful hard rock acts of the 2000s. The band's early albums, including Saturate and We Are Not Alone, established its blend of heavy guitars, melodic choruses and emotionally charged songwriting. The breakthrough success of Phobia elevated the group further, while Dear Agony, Dark Before Dawn and Ember continued to expand its catalog. Burnley's distinctive voice and songwriting have remained the band's defining elements through lineup changes and periods of inactivity.

    The current touring lineup features Burnley alongside Jasen Rauch on lead guitar, Keith Wallen on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Aaron Bruch on bass and backing vocals and Brian Medeiros on drums. Rauch and Wallen contribute to the layered guitar arrangements and vocal harmonies that have become important to the band's modern sound, while Bruch supplies the low-end foundation. Medeiros takes on the drum position for the current touring lineup, bringing his own experience to a band whose music demands both precision and power.

    “I Will Not Bow” was followed by “Until the End,” before “Evil Angel” featured an extended drum introduction that gave Medeiros a chance to showcase his playing. “Crawl” and “Red Cold River” continued the heavy opening stretch, followed by “Blow Me Away,” a fan favorite that reaches back to the band's early success and its connection to the Halo 2 soundtrack. “Follow” and “Angels Fall” continued the progression through the catalog, highlighting the band's ability to move between aggressive guitar-driven arrangements and more melodic, emotionally charged material.

    The set continued with “You,” “So Cold” and “Polyamorous,” bringing together songs from different stages of Breaking Benjamin's career. “So Cold” remains one of the band's signature tracks, while “Polyamorous” reaches back to the group's debut album and its earliest breakthrough. The combination demonstrated the depth of the band's catalog and the lasting appeal of songs that have remained staples of modern rock for years.

    Before “Dear Agony,” Burnley delivered a brief a cappella version of “Ashes of Eden,” stripping away the band's instrumentation to place the focus entirely on his voice. The unaccompanied moment provided a quieter, more intimate contrast to the heavier songs surrounding it and offered a particularly effective transition into “Dear Agony.” The performance then incorporated a TikTok compilation played from tape, leading into the next sequence of the show.

    “Dear Agony” and “Something Wicked” were followed by “Breath,” “Awaken” and “Failure,” creating a run that connected the band's established hits with its more recent material. “Awaken,” released in 2024, marked the band's return with new original music after a lengthy gap, while “Something Wicked” represents its continuing evolution. The newer songs sit comfortably alongside the older material, retaining the heavy guitars and memorable choruses that have long defined Breaking Benjamin while reflecting a band continuing to build on its legacy.

    “Dance With the Devil” followed with an extended guitar introduction, allowing the band's guitarists to establish the atmosphere before the song fully developed. The arrangement highlighted the instrumental depth of the current lineup and built toward the final stretch of the performance. The band then closed with “The Diary of Jane,” one of its most recognizable songs and an ideal conclusion to a set built around the band's history, musical identity and continued connection with its audience.

    Breaking Benjamin's performance demonstrated why the band remains a fixture of modern rock touring. Burnley's songwriting and unmistakable vocals continue to anchor a catalog that spans the early days of Saturate through the commercial success of Phobia, the emotional weight of Dear Agony and the later resurgence represented by Dark Before Dawn and Ember. The newer material provides a reminder that the band's story is still developing, even as the older songs continue to resonate with longtime listeners.

A Night That Celebrated the Strength of Modern Rock

The October 10th concert at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion brought together four acts with different musical approaches but a shared commitment to powerful live performances. Kami Kehoe opened with a dynamic, drum-driven set that emphasized her versatility and willingness to engage directly with the crowd. Starset followed with a futuristic, cinematic performance that combined new songs with established favorites, while Chevelle delivered a forceful set balancing fresh material with the alternative-metal anthems that helped define its career. Breaking Benjamin then closed the evening with a deep selection of songs spanning its history, including a stripped-down a cappella moment before “Dear Agony” and an extended guitar introduction to “Dance With the Devil.”

    Together, the four performances created a lineup that reflected the continuing range of modern rock, from emerging artists building their identities to established bands expanding catalogs that have connected with audiences for decades. The result was a night built on heavy riffs, memorable choruses, dramatic presentation and the enduring power of live music.

Breaking Benjamin Setlist:
Windows XP Intro From tape
I Will Not Bow
Until the End
Evil Angel
Crawl
Red Cold River
Blow Me Away
Follow
Angels Fall
You
So Cold
Polyamorous
Ashes of Eden (Ben a ccapella)
Dear Agony
Something Wicked
Breath
Awaken
Failure
Dance With the Devil
The Diary of Jane

Chevelle Setlist:
Intro From Tape (Sleep from the deep, Bells and tick tock)
Family System
Self Destructor
Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)
Pale Horse
An Island
Hats off To The Bull
Face to the Floor
Jim Jines (Cowards Pt. 2)
The Clincher
Send the Pain Below
Comfortable Liar
The Red
Mars Simula

Starset Setlist:
p a r a d 0 x 1 c
Carnivore
Brave New World
Monster
SILOS
a n n 1 h 1 l a t 1 0 n
TokSik
My Demons

Kami Kehoe Setlist:
Intro (w/ Kami on Drums)
PSYCHO
SOMETHING IN THE WATER
UR GONE
Fade Out
Kandy
THE END
LOVE IS A WEAPON
SLEEP WHEN IM DEAD
DOPAMINE