Photos and Review by Rebecca Clark
Breaking Benjamin’s Fall 2026 tour brought an impressive lineup to Darien Lake Amphitheater on September 10, with Kami Kehoe, Starset and Chevelle joining the Pennsylvania rockers for a night packed with four very different flavors of rock. While each band brought its own sound and style to the stage, the lineup worked incredibly well together, building momentum throughout the night before Breaking Benjamin closed things out with a set full of hits, nostalgia and plenty of heart.
Kicking off the night was newcomer Kami Kehoe, but calling her a newcomer certainly doesn’t mean she performed like one.
Kehoe immediately took control of the stage with high energy and impressive stage presence. She moved all over the stage, interacted with the crowd and looked completely comfortable in front of a packed amphitheater. Her confidence was contagious, and judging by the fans she met and greeted after her set, she made plenty of new ones along the way.
Her band sounded tight, and Kehoe showed off another side of her talent by taking a seat behind the drums while continuing to sing. There is something especially badass about watching someone hold down the drums and vocals at the same time, and she made it look effortless.
Her set included “Fade Out,” “Psycho,” “The End” and “Sleep When I’m Dead,” before she closed things out with her standout hit “Dopamine.” For an artist opening a tour of this size, Kehoe made it clear that she is ready for the next step.
Next up was Starset, and their set immediately shifted the atmosphere.
Known for their cinematic sound and fascinating lore, Starset brought something completely different to the lineup. Their performance felt almost otherworldly, with lead vocalist Dustin Bates initially appearing in a costume and positioned toward the back center of the stage while the rest of the band performed in astronaut suits complete with illuminated helmets.
The theatrical setup created an almost post-apocalyptic atmosphere during the opening songs “P a r a d 0 x1c” and “Carnivore.” Then Bates emerged from the costume and stepped forward, transforming into a commanding presence at the front of the stage.
The change was noticeable. After spending the beginning of the set building anticipation, Bates became a force onstage, interacting with the crowd and fully immersing himself in the performance.
Songs including “Brave New World,” “Monster,” “SILOS” and “TokSik” showcased the band’s unique sound, while the addition of cello and violin gave their already expansive music another layer.
The biggest surprise came when Starset performed their new single “a n n 1h1lat10n” live for the first time. The song officially dropped at midnight following the show, making the Darien Lake crowd some of the first fans to hear it live. It has that signature Starset feel: heavy but incredibly smooth, cinematic and atmospheric while continuing to push the boundaries of what rock can sound like.
The crowd was completely into it, jumping, singing along and embracing every strange and beautiful moment of the band’s set. They ended strong with “My Demons,” leaving the audience more than ready for what came next.
Chevelle took the stage next, opening with “Family System” and immediately reminding everyone why the band has remained a force in rock for so many years.
The set included “Self Destructor,” “Vitamin R,” “Face to the Floor,” “The Clincher” and “Comfortable Liar,” along with “Pale Horse” from their 2025 release Bright as Blasphemy.
One of the highlights was hearing “An Island” live. Lead singer Pete Loeffler jokingly referred to it as a deep cut and warned the crowd not to go to the bathroom before they played it. His dry, sarcastic sense of humor came through throughout the set, giving the crowd plenty to laugh about between songs.
But Chevelle doesn’t need a ton of theatrics to make an impact. As a three-piece, their sound is massive, and the music speaks for itself. Loeffler moved around the stage throughout the performance, but there was never a need to overdo it. The songs are heavy, powerful and incredibly tight live.
“Red” kept the energy high before the band closed their set with “Mars Simula.”
Finally, it was time for the band everyone had been waiting for: Breaking Benjamin. Before the band even stepped onstage, the giant screen behind the stage began taking the crowd on a trip back in time. An old computer connected to dial-up internet, eventually making its way to LimeWire to download music.
The reaction was immediate. One fan nearby exclaimed, “Oh my God, I love this. This was my childhood!”
That pretty much summed up the feeling throughout the amphitheater.
Breaking Benjamin has been around long enough that their music has become intertwined with the lives of their fans. The band jokingly refers to their music as “Divorced Dad Rock,” but there is something pretty special about the longevity behind that joke. These songs have stuck around. The fans have stuck around. And the love for this band runs deep.
That was obvious the moment the band launched into songs like “Polyamorous” and “So Cold,” with thousands of voices singing right along.
Breaking Benjamin’s performance, much like Chevelle’s, puts the music front and center. But lead vocalist Benjamin Burnley also creates an intimate atmosphere by taking the time to actually talk to the fans between songs. At one point, Burnley reflected on the band’s more than two decades together and the opportunity to still be making music.
“It’s been a long time. Over 20 years, and being able to do this is nothing but a blessing, and we’re so grateful for each and every one of you.”
He went on to talk about the band’s appreciation for their fans and the excitement surrounding new music, before introducing “Something Wicked,” one of their newer releases.
That appreciation didn’t feel like a throwaway moment. It was something Burnley returned to throughout the night, including when he spoke about the bands sharing the stage with Breaking Benjamin.
He joked about Starset’s “indoctrination” when giving them a shoutout before “The Diary of Jane,” while also talking about being a fan of Chevelle for more than 20 years. He called it an honor to be part of such an incredible lineup.
The chemistry between the members of Breaking Benjamin was just as enjoyable to watch. Keith Wallen is always a standout when it comes to interacting with the crowd. Whether he was pointing at fans, sticking his tongue out, throwing up the metal sign or simply playing to the people in front of him, he brought plenty of personality to the stage.
Burnley also made sure fans left with something to remember, tossing guitar picks into the crowd throughout the night.
One even came flying toward the rail while I was photographing the show. I watched it hit the rail, bounce down into the photo pit and land within reach. I was able to grab it and hand it off to one of the fans against the rail. Those are the little moments that make photographing live music so much fun.
I’ve seen Breaking Benjamin many times over the years, and somehow they continue to give me a reason to keep coming back.
Part of that is the music. There is a reason these songs have lasted for more than two decades. But it’s also the band’s ability to make a massive amphitheater feel a little more personal. Burnley’s conversations with the crowd, Wallen’s playful interactions and the band’s genuine appreciation for the people standing in front of them all reinforce that connection.
By the time the final notes rang out, it was clear that this wasn’t simply a night of nostalgia. It was a reminder of why these songs still matter to so many people.
With Kami Kehoe bringing fresh energy, Starset delivering a cinematic experience unlike anything else on the bill, Chevelle proving just how massive a three-piece can sound and Breaking Benjamin closing the night with more than 20 years of music behind them, this lineup delivered exactly what a great rock show should: something for everyone, plenty of memories and a reason to keep coming back.
Breaking Benjamin Gallery
Chevelle Photo Gallery
Starset Photo Gallery
