What can I say about last night? It felt like stepping back into my college years—only louder, harder, and even more nostalgic. It took me straight back to the night when I’d driven all night, six hours round-trip, to catch a Taking Back Sunday show, knowing I had an 8 a.m. microeconomics test the next morning. It was reckless, sleepless, and something I wouldn’t exactly recommend, but those moments stuck with me more than any grade ever could.
I’ve always had a bad habit (or maybe a good one) of cramming big, wild experiences into an already jam-packed schedule, then collapsing later and wondering if it was worth it. Spoiler: it always was. I’ve come to believe it’s not about the number of years in your life, but the amount of life in your years.
That same energy hit me during my first photo shoot at The Armory. I’ve been to plenty of shows there, and in my opinion, it’s one of the best venues in the city, the sound, the lights, the views, all perfectly dialed in.
Foxing opened, shaking the crowd awake with their screamo-infused “The Secret History,” then closing with “Rory.” They set the tone: raw, emotional, and loud enough to rattle your ribs.
Then came Taking Back Sunday; they still sounded better than ever, armed with their latest album, 152, and the kind of stage presence that turned the room into one massive sing-along. Adam Lazzara swung his mic like a weapon, launching into “A Decade Under the Influence” before tearing through old favorites like “Set Phasers to Stun,” “Cute Without the ‘E’,” and “MakeDamnSure.”
The biggest surprise? Fred Mascherino is returning to the lineup, filling in for John Nolan, who stepped back for family and health reasons. It felt like a full-circle moment for longtime fans.
And then Coheed and Cambria closed the night with their signature mix of progressive rock, theatrics, and just a touch of weirdness. They’re promoting their new single “Goodbye, Sunshine” off their new album The Father of Make Believe.
That track has already earned a spot on my backyard BBQ playlist. Seriously, check out their new music video; it features Nick Hexum from 311. Sure, the reggae-ska twist in the video threw me at first, but live, they proved they haven’t lost their rock edge, powering through staples like “Blood Red Summer” and “The Suffering.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Coheed show without the spectacle; this time, it was a massive inflatable radioactive linebacker-looking thing with glowing eyes. Maybe it ate the shrimp from Walmart? It loomed over the stage while Claudio Sanchez continued to take us on the progressive rock path.
They even slipped in a cover of The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” before closing with “Welcome Home,” while Claudio, lead singer, shredded on his iconic double-neck guitar, reminding everyone just how wide their range really is.
In the end, it struck me: these bands have been part of my life for more than two decades, and yet they still feel fresh every time I hear them. Their songs sit on my everyday playlists right alongside new discoveries, and sometimes strangers will ask, “Who’s this new band?” I just smile because they’ll always be the bands worth driving all night for.
