Silverstein’s Shane Told powered through is performance at The Ritz

Silverstein walked into this anniversary tour sounding like a band that still cares deeply about how these songs land in a room, not just that they land at all. Formed in Burlington, Ontario, their 25 Years of Noise tour is rooted in lived experience rather than nostalgia, and that perspective guided the performance at The Ritz. Drawing freely from a catalog that includes When Broken Is Easily Fixed, Discovering the Waterfront, A Shipwreck in the Sand, Dead Reflection, A Beautiful Place to Drown, and recent releases, the set moved smoothly between eras without turning the night into a history lesson. Vocals were emotionally present, the band played with an ease earned through years on the road, and pacing kept the room fully engaged. Crowd response stayed strong throughout, with sustained movement and loud sing-alongs across multiple generations of material. Stage visuals were intentional and uncluttered, with lighting designed to support transitions and dynamics. Merchandise was expansive and well organized, featuring anniversary designs, current apparel, and physical media. The sound in the room was balanced and clear, reflecting a seasoned touring audio team working in sync with the venue. Silverstein release music through UNFD and continue to support mental-health awareness initiatives through touring and outreach. The tour spans multiple North American legs with international dates included, reinforcing this run as an active chapter rather than a retrospective pause. Official site: https://www.silversteinmusic.com

Silverstein

Thursday brought a sense of gravity that comes from helping build the framework of a genre. Originating in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the band’s discography—Waiting, Full Collapse, War All the Time, A City by the Light Divided, and No Devolución—has shaped post-hardcore’s emotional and political language for more than two decades. Their set honored that history without leaning on it, allowing songs to breathe and connect on their own terms. Older material carried lasting impact, while later-era songs felt equally grounded and relevant. The crowd’s energy shifted noticeably during their performance, marked by focused attention and collective release. Merchandise leaned into archival artwork and anniversary pieces without overselling nostalgia. Production choices stayed clean and supportive, with lighting cues reinforcing mood and structure. The mix emphasized vocal clarity and layered instrumentation. Thursday remain closely associated with Equal Vision Records and are openly engaged in social-justice advocacy and artist-support causes. Official site: https://www.thursday.net

Thursday

Free Throw delivered a set defined by openness and familiarity, the kind that only comes from years of shared space between band and audience. Formed in Nashville, Tennessee, their catalog—from Those Days Are Gone through Piecing It Together and subsequent releases—has earned a devoted following through honesty rather than spectacle. The set balanced newer material with long-standing fan favorites, and the room responded quickly, especially during choruses built for communal participation. The performance felt relaxed and conversational, fitting naturally into the emotional arc of the night. Their merchandise area was among the most active in the venue, anchored by vinyl pressings and apparel tied to current releases. Sound and lighting remained straightforward and effective, handled smoothly by the tour’s audio crew in coordination with house staff. Free Throw continue to operate within the independent alternative and emo ecosystem, maintaining long-standing relationships with labels and distributors aligned with the genre. Official site: https://www.freethrowband.com

Free Throw

Bloom opened the evening with a set that prioritized mood and connection over scale. As the newest act on the bill, their role was clearly defined, and they met it with focus and restraint. Their recorded output reflects a modern post-hardcore approach informed by the genre’s lineage, and that balance translated well live. Leaning into current material, the band delivered a cohesive performance that established the room’s emotional baseline without overreaching. Crowd response grew steadily as the set progressed, setting up the night effectively. Merch offerings were streamlined and intentional, centered on shirts, vinyl, and tour-specific designs. Production was handled through the venue’s house system, with lighting kept minimal and the mix clean, allowing the songs to land naturally. Bloom’s placement on the tour felt deliberate, grounding the evening before the broader narratives unfolded. Official site: https://www.bloomband.com

Bloom