Coheed and Cambria with Mastodon brought their Infinite Arc Tour to Van Andel Arena for a night of cosmic storytelling, crushing riffs, and cathartic performances.
Opening the night was Periphery, who wasted no time launching into technically heavy madness with“Reptile.” The band barreled through a short but tight set full of complex rhythms and powerful riffs. Minimal yet dramatic lighting spotlighted the versatility and music depth of Periphery’s music with the song “Wildfire” from Periphery V: Djent Is Not a Genre being a standout performance.
With a lightning-quick stage change, Mastodon took to the stage striking first with “Tread Lightly.” Their trademark scintillating and crushing riffs set the crowd into motion. This tour marks the first without founding guitarist Brent Hinds, but newcomer Nick Johnston fit in like he’d been there all along. His interplay with Bill Kelliher added spark, and his solos on tunes such as “Black Tongue” were exceptional and emotive. Troy Sanders shared his thanks and a promise to the crowd that immediately following this tour (which ends in a few days), the five of them would be heading to the studio to record a new album.
Mastodon closed their set with the exhortation of mad obsession known as “Blood and Thunder.” As the band exited, drummer Brann Dailor stayed behind to thank the crowd. He shared his love for the city of Grand Rapids with memories of playing the Intersection (a smaller one not far from the arena) and enjoying a post-gig pint at Founders Brewing. Brann reiterated Troy’s promise that Mastodon would be off to the studio to record a new album and then return to Grand Rapids to share their labors of love. God love these lords of the mighty riff.
Coheed and Cambria closed out the evening by transforming the Van Andel Arena into something more than a concert venue; it became another dimension. Coheed didn’t just play a setlist; they unleashed a fully realized world, equal parts rock show and sci-fi opera. Coheed started slow, gently pulling us into the mood with an intimate new track from their latest album Vaxis – Act III: The Father of Make Believe called “Yesterday’s Lost.” This song felt more like a whispered invocation than a traditional opener. It built from delicate and sparse into a rich, atmospheric soundscape, setting the stage for everything to come. From there, the band dialed up the intensity and never let go, guiding us through a set that wove between the intimate and the epic.The visuals were as compelling as the music. A massive digital screen behind the band pulsed with surreal galactic imagery, syncing perfectly with songs like “Blind Side Sonny,” where a towering inflatable character from their Amory Wars storyline appeared on stage. The imagery and music blur the line between graphic novel and live performance. Throughout their set, Coheed fans sang every word. The crowd’s collective voice resonated through the arena in a near-spiritual moment. It was the kind of shared energy that only happens when a band and its fans are fully connected.
Each member of Coheed and Cambria brought something essential, but Claudio Sanchez held the center. Whether locked in quiet focus or thrashing like a man possessed, he embodied the emotional extremes that define the band’s music. By the time they hit their final notes, especially during an ebullient encore, there was no doubt this was more than a show. It was a story brought to life that is loud, vivid, and unforgettable.
Metal, in all its forms, continues to deliver what great art always has: meaning, release, and community. This show had all of that and then some. Many thanks to these bands for sharing their passion, grace, and fire.
