Concert Review
Breaking Benjamin
Chevelle
Starset
Kami Kehoe
Thursday September 10, 2026
Darien Lake Amphitheater
Darien Center, NY
Review: Joseph Suto
A power house package headlined by Breaking Benjamin was just what the doctor ordered for the estimated crowd of 8,500 for a midweek show out at the Darien Lake Amphitheater. Not too bad considering it was Thursday evening with school back in session. As the summer concert season wound down the music got louder and more powerful. Along for the ride were Chevelle, Starlet and Kami Kehoe.
I was quite surprised to see Breaking Benjamin return to the Amphitheater so fast after all they had just played there last summer. This time around the band played a solid 90 minute eighteen song set that once again spanned their career but was ultra heavy on their 2006 album Phobia.
Led by Benjamin Burnley who is the only mainstay member of the band, they left no stone unturned as they ripped through song after song. Opening with “I Will Not Bow” followed by “Until the End” had the crowd’s attention but also singing along. There was no doubt who the headliner was at Darien in 2026. Joining Burnley were guitarists Jason Rauch and Keith Wallen as well as bassist Aaron Bruch. Touring musician Brian Medeiros handled drums taking over from Shaun Foist who departed in December to focus on his health.
Burnley and company delivered another fiery and memorable performance. Closing out the night with the big hit “Diary of Jane” was the perfect way to end the night. The temp may have cooled down as the evening wore on but the music never did.
Chevelle proceeded Breaking Benjamin with a one hour set packed with walloping songs such as “Face To the Floor”, Self-Destructor” and “Pale Horse”. The trio from Greyslake, IL, a suburb north of Chicago delivered about as blistering of a set that a three piece can offer. Sure they are still led by guitarist and lead vocalist Pete Loeffler alongside his brother Sam on drums like they had been since 1995. Joining them were touring bassist Kemble Waters.
It had been quite a few years since I last had a chance to catch Chevelle so it was no surprise to see how they have grown over the years. Deeper songwriting while definitely fine tuning their sound. It was refreshing to hear “Send the Pain Below” which topped the US Billboard Alternative chart back in 2002. Overall a satisfying set that was very enjoyable.
Starset was formed in 2013 and hail from Columbus, OH. They kicked their 40-minute set off with “p a r a d 0 x 1 c”, a slow, moody track that was recently released as a single. Their stage set was quite unique for an opener. Drummer (Adam Gilbert) and keyboardist (Cory Juba) appeared on high risers above the video screens which surrounded them. The members vocalist Dustin Bates, guitarist Brock Richards, bassist Ron Dechant, violinist Siobhán Richards and cellist Zuzana Engererova came to the forefront dressed in space outfits wearing masks. By the third song Bates was mask free as they tore into “Brave New World”. The music fit in snugly with the cinematic visuals accompanying it. The band is absolutely a one of a kind band and stood apart from the other bands on this bill.
Opening the show was Kami Kehoe who plays mainly smaller shows for the most part. She has been a part of these package tours in the past but it is not the same as seeing her in an intimate club. However she managed to deliver a fierce performance with her powerful voice. She also went behind the drum kit to start the show and pounded out some heavy beats giving her show a very unique twist. She played songs from all 3 of her albums including her latest Love Is A Weapon. Definitely an artist to keep an eye on. You’ll be hearing more from her down the road no doubt.
BREAKING BENJAMIN
CHEVELLE
STARSET
KAMI KEHOE
Set Lists
Breaking Benjamin 9:30-11:00
I Will Not Bow
Until The End
Evil Angel
Crawl
Red Cold River
Blow Me Away
Follow
Angels Fall
You
So Cold
Polyamorous
Dear Agony
Something Wicked
Breath
Awaken
Failure
Dance With The Devil
The Diary Of Jane
Chevelle 8-9
Family System
Self Destructor
Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)
Pale Horse
An Island
Face To The Floor
The Clincher
Send The Pain Below
Comfortable Liar
The Red
Mars Simula
Starset 6:50-7:30
P a r a d 0 x 1 c
Carnivore
Brave New World
Monster
SILOS
A n n 1 h 1 l a t 1 0 n
TokSik
My Demons
Kami Kehoe 6-6:30
Pyscho
Something in the Water
Ur Gone
Fade Out
Kandy
The End
Love Is A Weapon
Sleep When I’m Dead
Dopamine
