Saratoga Performing Arts Center‘s summer concert series thundered to life on May 23, with the co-headlining Awaken the Fallen tour, featuring hard rock juggernauts Staind and Breaking Benjamin. Despite the cold drizzle that dampened the early evening, thousands of fans turned up in droves, eager to rock out to familiar brooding ballads and bone crushing riffs.
The evening was as much a family affair as it was a concert. Fathers and sons headbanged in unison, sharing memories of bands they’d grown up with, or were now introducing to a new generation. With their horns to the sky and voices shouting along to every word in harmony, it was a sight to behold no matter what your musical preference is. Special guests Wage War and Lakeview added early intensity, setting the stage for a night of brutal breakdowns and emotional resonance. By night’s end, fans were rewarded with not only a stacked bill, but an emotional, family-infused performance that underscored the enduring legacy of hard rock and metal.
Emerging from a long hiatus with their 2023 comeback album Confessions of the Fallen, Springfield, MA’s Staind delivered a gritty, emotionally charged set that reminded us why they became a household name in the first place. Feeling like a reunion for longtime fans, with many swapping stories of Staind’s legendary gigs at places like Northern Lights in Clifton Park (with Static-X and The Clay People,) or their star-making turn on the Limp Bizkit-curated Family Values Tour at the old Pepsi Arena. The band may be a little older, but they still come off just as tormented. Vocalist Aaron Lewis, ever the conflicted frontman, kept the crowd at arm’s length with sparse but telling banter. “I’m 53,” he said, cigarette in hand, “I’m not jumping around. This is what you get.” And what they got was a raw, resonant performance anchored by his signature growl and plaintive croon.
After opening up with “Lowest in Me” and “Eyes Wide Open,” Lewis would recall making the music video for their 2001 hit single “Fade” and having to pull the clip from the air following the tragic events of September 11th that year. These days, Lewis says he tries not to say anything too controversial on stage. Preferring to play it safe and ask basic things like “How’s everyone feeling tonight?” the band, leaned into fan favorites like “Epiphany,” “So Far Away,” and “Price I Pay,” earning roars of approval from die-hards.
Lewis’s vocals were as raw and commanding as ever, cutting through the misty evening air with haunting precision. His American flag Gibson guitar, complete with a provocative “Fuck Newsom / Support your local small business” sticker, was emblematic of his persona: divisive, unfiltered, and unapologetically authentic. Yet even with the gruff exterior, moments of vulnerability shone through. The crowd lit up their phones during “Outside,” accompanied by poignant video tributes that included images of Fred Durst and candlelight.
When “It’s Been Awhile” rolled around, Lewis half-joked, “How many times is too many?” but the audience responded like it was the first. Ending with a crushing rendition of “Mudshovel,” the lone nod to their 1999 breakthrough album Dysfunction, Staind left the stage to roaring approval. It was a set that both reminded fans why they fell in love with the band and solidified their renewed place in today’s rock scene. For many, Staind was the main event and some even exited the pavilion after their set, satisfied.
With the rain fading and energy peaking, Breaking Benjamin took the stage at 9:30 under the glowing backdrop of their iconic logo. Opening with “Failure”, the band quickly asserted their place as torchbearers of modern rock. Their performance was slick, loud, and visually arresting, anchored by a spectacular light show and a perfectly balanced setlist that spanned their entire catalog. Tracks like “Until the End,” “Evil Angel,” and “Blow Me Away” elicited full-throated singalongs, with frontman Benjamin Burnley’s brooding presence holding steady as the lights and sound grew more intense.
But it was a more intimate moment that truly captured the night’s heart when Burnley introduced his young son, Ben Jr, to join the band on guitar. Far from a novelty, it was a celebration of how rock and metal continue to evolve and pass from one generation to the next. Though some critics may dismiss it as gimmickry, for most fans it was a raw and real expression of family, music, and continuity. Treated as a full-fledged member of the band, young Ben earned cheers from the soaked but enthusiastic crowd, a testament to the band’s loyal and supportive fanbase.
Breaking Benjamin’s sound was massive and powerful as they weaved their way through their biggest hits like “Breath,” “Dance with the Devil,” “Dear Agony,” and “Blood.” Closing the show with “I Will Not Bow” and the explosive anthem “The Diary of Jane”, Breaking Benjamin ensured that even those left soaked by the earlier storm went home exhilarated. With a new album rumored for 2025 following the release of their new single “Awaken,” the band seems poised for another strong chapter.
The Awaken the Fallen tour’s stop at SPAC wasn’t just a nostalgic night of hard rock, it was a powerful reminder that the genre continues to evolve and thrive. Despite the rain, the energy at SPAC was electric. The combination of Staind’s emotionally grounded comeback and Breaking Benjamin’s anthemic dominance created a show that honored metal’s past while looking boldly into its future. From heartfelt family moments to bone-rattling breakdowns, this was the perfect way to kick off another season at one of New York’s most iconic venues.
Breaking Benjamin | May 23, 2025 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Failure, Until the End, Evil Angel, Red Cold River, Blow Me Away, Follow, So Cold, Fance With The Devil, Awaken, Breath, Polyamorous, Without You, Dear Agony, Blood, I Will Not bow, The Diary of Jane.
Staind | May 23, 2025 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Lowest in Me, Eyes Wide Open, Fade, Right Here, Not Again, Epiphany, Something to Remind You, Wannabe, Outside, Better Days, Paper Wings, So Far Away, For You, It’s Been a While, Mudshovel.
Wage War | May 23, 2025 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: NAILS, Godspeed, Low, Stitch, Circle the Drain, BLUR, TOMBSTONE, HAPPY HUNTING, MAGNETIC, Manic
Lake View | May 23, 2025 | SPAC | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Loser, Dying Breed, Wrong Side of the Track, Money Where Your Mouth Is, Neon Nightmare, Lips of an Angel (Hinder cover), Son Of A, Home Team.
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