From Ashes to New Deliver Unforgettable Hometown Performance on ‘The Blackout Tour Pt. 2’

Photos by Rebecca Clark | Review Renee Clark Quade and Rebecca Clark

On May 18th, the Water Street Music Hall in Rochester, NY, was the scene of an amazing evening as From Ashes to New brought “The Blackout Tour Pt. 2” to a sold-out crowd. The night was particularly special for vocalist Danny Case, who was performing in his hometown. The energy in the room was incredible from the first note to the last, as fans eagerly awaited each performance.

The show kicked off with Elijah, whose blend of rap and rock set the tone for the evening. His performance style, reminiscent of Machine Gun Kelly, created an intimate atmosphere as he hopped off the stage to sing to fans along the rail. Elijah’s effort to connect with the audience right from the start was a sign of the incredible energy that would define the night.

Following Elijah was Phix, continuing the rock-rap vibe. Despite encountering a few technical difficulties, Phix maintained their momentum, showcasing impressive resilience. One of the standout moments of their set was the 11-year-old drummer, Bronx Sandoval, who commanded the stage with a presence far beyond his years. Phix’s set finished in a collaborative performance of “Doomed” with opener Elijah.

Ekoh took the stage next, bringing an intense level of energy that kept the crowd engaged. Known for rapping about meaningful subjects, Ekoh’s connection with the audience was evident. He ended his set with a memorable performance of “Freeverse 3,” signing shoes thrown onto the stage without missing a beat, and at one point, impressively stood on the barricade, then being held up by his legs and feet by fans while singing.

Point North followed, injecting a bit more rock into the evening’s mix. Their stage presence was dynamic, with band members moving energetically across the stage. Lead vocalist Jon Lundin’s emotional delivery captivated the audience, especially during hits like “Safe and Sound,” “Dark Days,” “Ghost in My Home,” and their latest single “Bring Me Down.” The band’s interaction with the crowd created a vibrant and engaging atmosphere.

As the anticipation peaked, From Ashes to New finally took the stage diving into “Armageddon.” The band immediately acknowledged the significance of the night, with Danny Case expressing gratitude to his hometown for their unwavering support.

A fun detail noticed by many was Danny Case’s glow-in-the-dark shoes, adding a quirky touch to the darkened stage. Throughout their set, From Ashes to New made a point to interact with their fans, with guitarist Lance Dowdle even playfully placing guitar picks on a security guard’s head. These moments of connection underscored the band’s appreciation for their fans.

Before performing “Barely Breathing,” Case shared a heartfelt moment with the audience, asking who had stayed in a toxic relationship too long, creating a shared sense of understanding among the crowd as many hands rose in the air. Vocalist Matt Brandyberry also shared a personal moment later in the night, reflecting on the sacrifice of leaving his newborn son to tour and expressing his dedication to the fans who make it all worthwhile.

In a show of solidarity, From Ashes to New brought out Ekoh and other opening act vocalists to join them for various songs, culminating in a collaborative performance that showcased the tour’s unity. They closed the night with “Through It All,” the song that started their journey, leaving everything on the stage and ending the concert on a high note without an encore.

From Ashes to New is a band you must see live. Their incredible energy and unique blend of rap rock, influenced heavily by early 2000s Warped Tour bands and rock legends like Papa Roach, sprinkled with hints of Blink-182, bring a refreshing breath of fresh air into the rock genre. Their performances are not just concerts but experiences, showcasing their dynamic presence and deep connection with the audience. Be sure to check out their newly released headline tour dates as well as their upcoming tour with Nothing More this fall.

FATN Setlist:

ARMAGEDDON
DEAD TO ME
BROKEN
MONSTER IN ME
SCARS
MY FIGHT
HEARTACHE
ECHOES
HATE ME TOO
MY NAME
BARELY BREATHING
CRAZY
ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE
PANIC
NIGHTMARE
THRU IT ALL

FROM ASHES TO NEW 2024 TOUR DATES
6/8      Santa Ana, CA – Observatory OC *
6/11   Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot *
6/12   Denver, CO – Summit *
6/13   Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre * 
7/19   Cadott, WI – Rock Fest ^ 
7/20   Grand Rapids, MI – Upheaval Fest ^ 
7/21   Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration ^
9/3     Little Rock, AR – The Hall #
9/5     San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port #
9/6     Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center #
9/7     Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom #
9/9     Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle #
9/10    Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works #
9/13    Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues #
9/14    Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues #
9/15   St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live #
9/17   Asheville, NC – Orange Peel #
9/19   Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore #
9/20   Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union Live # 
9/21   Johnstown, PA – Frank J. Pasquarella Conference Center &%
9/23   Buffalo, NY – Buffalo RiverWorks #
9/24   Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre # 
9/25   Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection &%
9/27   Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life ^ 
9/28   Belvidere, IL – The Apollo Theatre &
9/29   Omaha, NE – The Admiral &
10/1   Albuquerque, NM – El Rey Theater &
10/2   Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre &
10/5   Fresno, CA – Tioga Sequoia Brewery &
10/7   Portland, OR – Roseland Theater &
10/8   Boise, ID – Knitting Factory &
10/9   Seattle, WA – Showbox Sodo &
10/11 Bend, OR – Midtown Ballroom &
10/13 Sacramento, CA -Aftershock ^ 
10/15 Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater &
10/17 Wichita, KS – Cotillion &
10/19 Davenport, IA – Capitol Theater &
10/22 Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center &
10/23 Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room &
10/25 Syracuse, NY – Sharkey’s Stage &
10/26 Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater &
10/27 Worcester, MA – The Palladium &
10/29 Albany, NY – Empire Live &
10/30 Portland, ME – Aura &
11/1 Stroudsburg, PA – The Sherman Theater &
11/2 Wantagh, NY – Mulcahy’s Concert Hall &
* “The Blackout Tour Pt. 2” with Point North, Ekoh, Phix and elijah
^ festival appearance 
# with Nothing More, Set It Off and Post Profit
& with Set It Off plus support acts New Years Day and If Not For Me
% no New Years Day

FATN Photo Gallery

Point North Photo Gallery

Exoh Photo Gallery

Phix Photo Gallery