Concert review: Coheed and Cambria | 09.25.26, The Pageant (with photo gallery)

Photo of Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria by Laura Jerele

With more than two decades into their career, Coheed and Cambria continue to explore and create in interesting ways and it seems like they never tire, and never disappoint with their shows. Crazy to think how long Coheed and Cambria have been a band and yet they’ve still got it, with a heavy punch of alt rock meets progressive metal and a slight dash of emo for sure. I’m sure there were fans at this show that only know them as a band, some fans that might have been drawn to the show because of the fictional comic book series The Amory Wars, and then I suppose there are the diehards that are there because they’ll take all of the creative content that lead singer Claudio Sanchez creates. 

The show was heavy as hell, and yeah, there was plenty of headbanging, heavy fog, and a massive light show. Their This Is Our War Tour is doing a great job of selling out shows and showcasing a deep catalogue that they obviously still love performing. Their energy was absolutely awesome. You didn’t have to understand any of the convoluted storylines to get into it—this show was just full of great adrenaline and it was visually stunning, even though it was just four dudes on stage punching out tunes with all their might! 

The opening band, The Home Team, were really high energy, taking the stage like it was already (and only) theirs. They clearly had a huge contingent in the crowd just for them, because people were singing along from the very first song, “Hell.” These dudes were jumping around like crazy, having an absolute blast, and their songs hit that sweet spot of springy and heavy, built to be catchy on purpose. The energy and crowd engagement were seriously impressive for an opener! Toward the end of their set and during their song “Walk This World With Me,” a couple near the front row got engaged—right there in the middle of the crowded pit! Lead singer Brian Butcher caught it happening in real time and gave the couple a massive shoutout of “congratulations” without ever missing a beat in the song. Genuinely one of those moments you don’t forget. They made sure to get the setlist to them and everything—classy touch, fellas. | Laura Jerele

Coheed and Cambria setlist:
A Favor House Atlantic
Blood Red Summer
Devil in Jersey City
Away We Go
Key Entity Extraction I: 
Key Entity Extraction IV: Evagria the Faithful
The Hard Sell
Key Entity Extraction III: Vic the Butcher
Shoulders
Number City
Gravity’s Union
The Liars Club
In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3
Iron Fist
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