Concert review: Black Veil Brides w/ Caskets & Archers | 09.04.26, The Factory (with photo gallery)

Photo of Andy Biersack of Black Veil Brides by Sevauna Stageman

Black Veil Brides brought the Vindicatour to The Factory, bringing along Caskets and Archers for a night stacked with heavy riffs, deafening vocals, and plenty of nostalgia for longtime fans.

Archers kicked things off with “Made for Love,” bringing instant high energy to the quickly filling venue. Their seven-song set tore through hits such as “Drag Me Out” and “Never Enough” that caused immediate head banging across the venue from some first listen and longtime fans. I already knew their recorded material, but Archers are just one of those bands that hit so much harder live. After rounding out their set with “Perfect Strangers,” they left the stage with a bigger fan base and the crowd buzzing for the rest of the lineup.

The atmosphere shifted as Caskets stepped onto the stage. Launching their set with “Guiding Light,” frontman Matt Flood immediately commanded the venue with vocals that echoed effortlessly. Their seven-song setlist moved into fan favorites like “Hate Me” and “Make Me a Martyr,” followed by cathartic renditions of “Drowned in Emotion,” and “Lost in Echoes.” Closing out with a venue-shaking execution of “Glass Heart,” they delivered an emotionally charged performance marked by their iconic crushing breakdowns. Rather than simply warming up the room, Caskets brought a set that raised the energy level, setting a high bar for Black Veil Brides.

I’ve been listening to Black Veil Brides for a decade, and that early era has always held a special place for me. I’d shot them once before when they were opening for another tour, but catching them headline was an entirely different experience. Without the strict time limits of an opening spot, the band had room to breathe and actually connect with the crowd. Andy Biersack spent plenty of time chatting with fans between songs, making a venue the size of The Factory feel surprisingly intimate. It never felt scripted or rushed, he was genuinely tuned into the room. As a fan from way back, the opening track couldn’t have been better. Starting off with “Knives and Pens” brought out my fangirl side. Standing in the photo pit hearing those first few notes threw me right back to middle school. There was something surreal about photographing the exact track that made me fall in love with the band in the first place. The rest of the set bridged the gap between old and new seamlessly, featuring hits like “Bleeders,” “Alive,” and “Rebel Love Song.” Further into the night, they rolled out “Revenger,” and “Sweet Blasphemy.”

A massive highlight was just how incredible the guitarists sounded live. Jake Pitts and Jinxx traded off blistering leads and solos that put Black Veil Brides on the map. Hearing those riffs echo through The Factory gave everything an extra punch. The setlist catered equally to day-one fans and newer listeners. For me, hearing staples like “Knives and Pens” and “Perfect Weapon” was an absolute treat, but the newer tracks blew me away just as much. They absolutely perfectly came back onto stage for an encore performance of “In the End.” That song is perfect for a packed room to sing every word. Right in the middle of the track, a bubble gun made an appearance and started showering the stage. It was hilarious, random, and somehow fit the mood perfectly. If you’re looking for a night of raw vocals and emotion, make sure to catch Black Veil Brides on their next tour! | Sevauna Stageman