On September 17, the Darien Lake Amphitheater was the place to be for rock fans, as Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace brought their co-headlining tour to Western New York, with support from Los Angeles rockers Return to Dust. The night was filled with nostalgia, high energy, and the unmistakable power of live rock music echoing through the warm evening air.
Opening the night was Return to Dust, an emerging American rock band hailing from Los Angeles. Despite being the newcomers on the bill, their energy and raw sound made a strong impression, getting the crowd warmed up and ready for the night’s heavy hitters.
Next up was Three Days Grace, and this performance marked a particularly special moment for longtime fans — not only was Matt Walst still commanding the stage with his usual intensity, but original frontman Adam Gontier has officially returned to the lineup. The crowd erupted as the band kicked things off with their classic hit Animal I Have Become, followed by So Called Life and Break, complete with Adam’s signature whistle intro.
The energy didn’t let up as they tore through Home, prompting a loud “Three Days Grace!” chant from the audience that filled the amphitheater. The band fed off that passion, launching into more favorites like Pain, and closing their powerful set with the explosive anthem Riot. As the final note rang out, Matt’s son joined the band on stage while the members tossed handfuls of guitar picks into the crowd — a perfect ending to a memorable set that celebrated the band’s past and present.
After a quick stage change, anticipation built as a massive white curtain dropped to conceal Breaking Benjamin’s setup. Soon, their logo illuminated the curtain in red as the opening notes of their newest track Awaken began to play. When the curtain fell, the crowd roared and the band launched into a hard-hitting set that reminded everyone why Breaking Benjamin continues to dominate the rock scene.
They followed up with Follow from their classic 2004 album We Are Not Alone, before diving into Blow Me Away — introduced with the unmistakable image of Halo’s Master Chief projected behind them. The rest of their set was packed with fan favorites, including the haunting So Cold, performed with incredible emotion and power.
From start to finish, the show at Darien Lake was a celebration of modern rock’s enduring strength — a night that brought together nostalgia, new music, and a crowd that sang every word. Between Three Days Grace’s powerful reunion and Breaking Benjamin’s commanding performance, fans left with ringing ears, full hearts, and the reminder that rock is very much alive and well.
Return To Dust
Three Days Grace
Breaking Benjamin
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