Photos by Rebecca Clark | Review by Rebecca Clark & Renee Clark Quade
On a moody spring night at the Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse, NY, on May 30th, the skies threatened rain but held off just long enough for a night of musical storytelling, technical brilliance, and emotional connection. With a stacked bill featuring Periphery, Mastodon, and headliners Coheed and Cambria, this show was an experience none of us will forget.
Periphery: A Sonic Surge to Start the Night
Opening acts don’t always get full attention, but Periphery is not your average opener. From the moment they stepped on stage, the band delivered with a high-octane presence that immediately electrified the amphitheater. Their set was a masterclass in progressive metal, blending precision with passion. Lead vocalist Spencer Sotelo was fully immersed, engaging the crowd with intensity and a deep connection to the material. His vocal range soared live, and you could feel the energy ripple outward from the stage.
What struck me most was how their influence could be heard in so many of today’s rising progressive bands Sleep Token, Animals as Leaders, and others owe a sonic nod to the groundwork Periphery has laid. Their live show elevated that influence even more. Every member was locked in, and their technical abilities were amazing, each riff and rhythmic shift felt like it was poured straight from the heart.
Mastodon: Heaviness with Heart
Mastodon followed with a crushing, expansive set that proved why they remain one of metal’s most respected names. With members hailing from nearby Rochester, there was an immediate hometown pride that surged through the crowd. Their energy was massive tight grooves, searing guitar lines, and that signature sludgy weight that hits like a wave.
One of the most powerful moments of the night came at the end of their set. Drummer Brann Dailor took a moment to speak to the crowd, sharing that his mother had recently passed and that she had hoped to be at the show. The vulnerability in his voice carried through the amphitheater as he asked the crowd to say “Hi Mom” so she could hear from above. Everyone raised their voices in unison, it was raw, real, and one of those touching moments that remind you just how much humanity is behind the music.
Dailor also shared that the band is heading into the studio after this tour, leaving fans buzzing about what’s next. Based on the passion they brought to Syracuse, the next chapter is bound to be something special.
Coheed and Cambria: Storytelling in Full Color
As the clouds rolled in and the stage darkened, Coheed and Cambria emerged to the swelling intro of “Yesterdays Lost,” launching a set that was both cinematic and emotionally resonant. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, just before they took the stage, the sky took on a darker hue, and it felt as if nature itself was aligning with the mood of the music. Thankfully, the rain held off until the very end, giving fans a full night to immerse themselves.
They kept the momentum going with “Goodbye Sunshine,” which felt perfectly timed as the last light faded. The band later surprised fans with a cover of Danzig’s “Mother” a gritty, fun twist that added an extra jolt to the set. But the standout theatrical moment came during “The Blind Side of Sonny,” when the inflatable character Sonny, a visual from the band’s mythos, came to life at the back of the stage. Seeing Claudio Sanchez’s characters step out of the comic panels and into the physical space of the show was surreal and a testament to how deeply Coheed blends story with sound.
While Coheed isn’t a band known for running laps around the stage, their intensity is more of a slow, controlled burn. You feel it in the way they lock in together, every note on point, every lyric delivered like a final confession. Sanchez’s vocals were piercingly on point, and the band sounded so tight it felt like they were playing for their lives.
Visually, the set was a feast. From the back of the venue, you could appreciate the full scope of the lighting design—dark, moody, sometimes bursting into color and motion like an animated graphic novel. Their drummer brought a wild energy, completely zoned in and visually expressive, every hit radiated purpose. The entire band operated as a single unit, and the crowd fed off that energy.
The most powerful crowd moment came during “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3.” Arms raised, fists pumping, fans shouted every word like it was scripture. There’s something deeply unifying about a song that can connect so many people in one instant—and the live version? It just hits harder. The passion in that moment was unforgettable.
For the encore, Sanchez returned to the stage solo for “Corner of My Confidence,” perched on a riser at the back of the stage with his hair tied up, offering an almost intimate visual contrast to the high-energy performance that preceded it. It was a quiet moment of reflection before launching into “Play the Poet,” one of the highlights from The Father of Make Believe, their latest album.
And of course, they closed with “Welcome Home,” the quintessential Coheed anthem. Sanchez wielded his iconic two-headed guitar as the band’s logo lit up behind him, a perfect, cinematic end to the night.
Coheed and Cambria curated a setlist that catered to longtime fans while showcasing the strength of their new material. They also made a conscious effort to keep merch affordable—$65 for hoodies, $40 for shirts, and an exclusive tour vinyl for collectors. It’s a small gesture that speaks volumes about their connection to their fans.
This tour didn’t disappoint, it was technically excellent music, but heart, storytelling, and a reminder that great live shows still matter. From Periphery’s fierce start to Mastodon’s heartfelt set to Coheed’s immersive universe, May 30th in Syracuse was a night that proved rock and connection is very much alive.
Coheed and Cambira Photo Gallery
Mastodon Photo Gallery
Periphery Photo Gallery
