Photo of Chevelle’s Pete Loeffler by Erica Vining
Somewhere between dad rock and sad boy rock, you will find Chevelle. A band who has weathered the test of time and an ever-changing music scene, Pete and Sam Loeffler have managed to stay relevent in an industry that is forever looking for the next great thing. Flanked by two headliner-quality bands in their own right, this tour is not one you want to miss out on.
Dead Poet Society kicked the night off with one of the high-energy sets they’ve become known for. I last caught them opening for Highly Suspect in 2023, and their stamina and range remain just as sharp. Their sound is an amalgamation of pop-meets-metal, with catchy lyricism wrapped in a grungy, djent-driven edge. The band tore through fan favorites, including my personal standout “HURT,” an infectious track that disguises a heavy subject behind upbeat delivery. Consistent in their vigor and command of the stage, Dead Poet Society proved once again they’re built for bigger tours. I’d love to see them paired with an artist like grandson for a powerhouse run.
Asking Alexandria were up next, and I’d been waiting to catch them live again since 2018. The band has had a tumultuous couple of years following guitarist Ben Bruce’s exit, facing criticism for low-energy sets and chronic sound issues. But there was no lack of energy in the building Saturday night: they came out with jumps, screams, and everything in between. I’m not sure what the lighting director on this tour is making, but whatever it is, it isn’t enough. The lights were phenomenal across all three sets, but Asking Alexandria’s production made for some of my favorite photos of the night. Vocalist Danny Worsnop, clad in cowboy boots, stalked the stage while belting out metal anthems—a true enigma. He left no doubt about his vocal ability during a stunning acapella/acoustic/full-band mashup of their hit “Moving On,” which had the crowd swaying under a sea of glowing phone lights. I won’t let another seven years go by before I catch them on the road again.
Taking the stage last were the headliners of the night, Chevelle. Loeffler2 were joined by Kemble Walters on bass for their set at Saint Louis Music park, fresh off the release of their most recent album Bright as Blasphemy which debuted in August of this year. The band opened with “Family System” off their 2002 album Wonder What’s Next. Chevelle chose to keep the production simple with LED boards and stellar graphics, occasional fog, and the Loefflers (Pete, that is) use of the stage to keep the crowd engaged. The set was a healthy mix of their older hits like “Jars” and “Send the Pain Below” blended with new tracks off the album including “Pale Horse” and “Rabbit Hole (Cowards Part 1).” Pete opened the encore with a solo intro for “The Red” which had everyone in the audience remisicing on the ’90s (okay, it was released in 2002, but it *feels* like it was the ’90s). I’ll never be deficient in Vitamin R with a steady diet of live sets like the one last weekend. If they continue to deliver like that, Chevelle will always be relevant in the industry. | Erica Vining
