BLACK VEIL BRIDES, FROM ASHES TO NEW & TX2 Bring The Chaos, Energy, and Anthemic Rock Take Over Chicago, IL

By: Evan J. Thomas

Chicago, IL got hit with a wave of pure hard rock chaos on Friday May 22 as TX2, From Ashes To New, and Black Veil Brides stormed the stage at Ramova Theatre for a night that balanced raw emotion, explosive energy, and arena sized performances inside one of Chicago’s most intimate venues.
From the moment doors opened, fans lined the barricades early, dressed in black eyeliner, battle jackets, and band merch spanning multiple generations of modern rock and metalcore. The barricade was chock full of shrieking fans as each band took the stage.  The Ramova Theatre’s atmosphere felt electric before a single note was even played.

I got there just as TX2 took the stage missing the first band, TX2 wasted absolutely no time throwing the crowd into a frenzy. Known for blending heavy rock with emotionally charged lyrics and a rebellious edge, the band delivered a set that felt part concert, part cathartic release.
Frontman Evan Thomas (No relation to me) commanded the stage with relentless energy, bouncing between moments of vulnerability and outright chaos. Songs hit hard both sonically and emotionally, with the audience screaming lyrics back almost as loudly as the band itself.
TX2’s stage presence thrives on unpredictability, and that unpredictability worked perfectly in the theater setting. The set felt dangerous in the best possible way... raw, loud, and unapologetically honest. By the end of their performance, the crowd was fully awake and already sweating.

When From Ashes To New took over, the intensity jumped another level.
The band delivered a crushing performance packed with massive choruses, razor sharp production, and enough bass to shake the walls of the venue. Their ability to seamlessly blend hard rock, metalcore, rap elements, and emotional songwriting continues to separate them from many of their peers in modern heavy music.
Tracks exploded live with incredible precision, but what stood out most was the crowd connection. Fans didn’t just watch the performance they became part of it. Every chorus became a massive singalong, every breakdown ignited movement throughout the theater floor.  The highlight for me was when Matt B. announced that their new song "Drag  Me" has been number one on the chart for a few weeks now and they just ripped into the song with furiousity.  
The lighting production elevated the experience even further, flooding the stage in aggressive reds, deep blues, and blinding strobes that matched the emotional swings of the music.
From Ashes To New delivered a set that felt huge while still remaining personal, proving once again why they’ve become one of the strongest live acts in modern hard rock.

By the time Black Veil Brides hit the stage, the Ramova Theatre had transformed into a full scale rock spectacle.
Opening to deafening shrieks and screams from the adoring fans, the band immediately showcased why they’ve maintained such a loyal fanbase over the years. Their performance balanced theatricality, precision musicianship, and emotional connection in a way few bands can pull off.
Andy Biersack (Black) owned the room from the moment he stepped into the spotlight. His vocals sounded powerful throughout the set, effortlessly shifting between soaring choruses and darker, heavier moments. Meanwhile, the guitar work brought the signature melodic energy fans have come to expect from Black Veil Brides.
The crowd response was nonstop. Hands stayed in the air, voices screamed every lyric, and the theater floor moved like a living organism throughout the night.
What makes Black Veil Brides stand out live is their ability to make every performance feel larger than the room they’re playing. Even inside the Ramova Theatre, the band performed with the energy and confidence of a festival headliner.
The set closed with a massive emotional payoff, leaving the Chicago crowd exhausted, exhilarated, and wanting more.

The combination of TX2’s chaos, From Ashes To New’s crushing heaviness, and Black Veil Brides’ theatrical anthems created one of the strongest hard rock lineups to hit Chicago this year.
Each band brought something unique to the night, but together they created an experience that perfectly captured the current state of modern rock: emotional, aggressive, honest, and alive.
For Friday night, the intimate feel of Ramova Theatre became the loudest place in Chicago and every fan inside loved every second of it.  Rock On! 

TX2

FROM ASHES TO NEW

BLACK VEIL BRIDES