TDWP’s Kyle Sipress, lead guitar and backing vocals tears it up at The Ritz in Raleigh

The Devil Wears Prada — https://tdwpband.com
The Devil Wears Prada arrived in Raleigh on April 5, 2026, with a tour concept rooted in the emotional tone of their Color Decay era and its extended cycle, leaning into themes of grief, resilience, and clarity after chaos. The “Flowers Tour” spans North America with dates across major U.S. markets including Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, with select Canadian stops, following earlier international routing through the U.K. and parts of Western Europe. Formed in Dayton, Ohio in 2005, the band built their reputation through a steady evolution from Dear Love: A Beautiful Discordthrough With Roots Above and Branches Below, Dead Throne, Transit Blues, The Act, and into Color Decay, released via Solid State Records. Their set at The Ritz was controlled and deliberate, balancing legacy material with newer compositions that emphasize texture and pacing. Stage production was minimal but intentional, with lighting design favoring stark contrasts and slow transitions rather than rapid movement; touring production credits point to standard in-house packages coordinated through Sound Image with a consistent front-of-house engineer traveling with the band. Merchandise leaned heavily on the “Flowers” branding, with muted tones and lyric-focused designs. The band’s career includes charting releases on Billboard’s Hard Rock charts and sustained critical respect within metalcore circles, and members have supported mental health awareness initiatives over the years. Their performance in Raleigh reflected a band fully aware of their catalog and choosing restraint over excess. Latest release: https://tdwpband.com

The Devil Wears Prada

Four Year Strong — https://fouryearstrong.com
Four Year Strong brought a contrasting energy shaped by nearly two decades of consistency in melodic hardcore and pop-punk crossover. Originating from Worcester, Massachusetts, the band’s discography includes Rise or Die Trying, Enemy of the World, In Some Way, Shape, or Form., Four Year Strong, Brain Pain, and their most recent material released through Pure Noise Records. Their presence on the “Flowers Tour” adds a structural balance, giving the lineup a broader emotional range while maintaining intensity. Their Raleigh performance was direct, fast-paced, and tightly executed, with little downtime between songs and a focus on audience engagement through pacing rather than theatrics. Lighting and staging followed a shared touring rig, likely coordinated through the same production vendor, maintaining visual continuity across the lineup. Their merchandise table reflected long-standing branding, including anniversary designs tied to earlier albums. Over their career, Four Year Strong has maintained chart presence and strong fan loyalty, often cited as a defining act in easycore’s development. They have participated in charity compilations and benefit shows, particularly within the punk and hardcore community. Their set reinforced their role as a reliable, experienced act that understands how to sustain momentum in a multi-band tour format. Latest release: https://fouryearstrong.com

Four Year Strong

Split Chain — https://splitchainband.com
Split Chain represents the newer wave of alternative-heavy acts drawing from shoegaze textures and post-hardcore structure. Emerging from the U.K., their growing catalog and early releases have positioned them as a developing presence within the scene, with distribution tied to independent and emerging label partnerships. Their inclusion on the “Flowers Tour” reflects a deliberate attempt to introduce a tonal shift within the lineup, adding atmosphere without sacrificing weight. In Raleigh, their performance leaned into layered guitar work and controlled vocal delivery, prioritizing cohesion over overt crowd interaction. The production approach remained consistent with the tour package, though their sound relied more heavily on front-of-house balance to preserve detail, suggesting close coordination with the tour’s FOH engineer. Merchandise was limited but focused, with early-run prints and branding tied to their initial releases. While still early in their career, Split Chain is gaining attention through festival slots and support tours, with industry recognition building steadily. Their performance indicated a band in transition, moving from emerging status toward a more defined identity. Latest release: https://splitchainband.com

Split Chain

I Promised The World — https://ipromisedtheworld.com
Opening the night, I Promised The World set the foundation with a performance rooted in modern post-hardcore and alternative metal influences. As a developing act, their discography is concise but growing, with recent releases distributed through independent channels and digital platforms. Their role on the “Flowers Tour” is clearly developmental, offering exposure across a wide range of markets as the tour moves through major U.S. cities and select international dates. In Raleigh, their set was efficient and focused, delivering material with precision and maintaining a steady pace suited to an opening slot. Production was streamlined, utilizing the shared lighting rig with minimal customization, and relying on the tour’s sound engineer for consistency. Merchandise offerings were modest, centered on introductory branding and early EP artwork. While still building their reputation, the band has begun to establish a foothold through touring and online engagement, with potential for growth if they continue aligning with established acts. Their performance demonstrated readiness for larger stages while still refining their overall presence. Latest release: https://ipromisedtheworld.com

I Promised The World