Under the blistering Florida sun, the inaugural Summer of Loud Festival erupted at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach.
Summer of Loud promised to deliver a relentless onslaught of metalcore, post-hardcore, and high-octane energy. With a stacked lineup featuring TX2, Alpha Wolf, The Devil Wears Prada, The Amity Affliction, Beartooth, Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive, and I Prevail, the all-day event was nothing short of a sonic battleground for heavy music fans.
TX2, the Colorado native, opened the festivities with a raw, impassioned performance that instantly connected with the early crowd. Their blend of punk-infused metalcore and high-voltage stage presence set the tone for the day. Songs like “Self Destruct” and “Vampire by Rumor” were met with roars of approval, giving local fans a great start to the day.
Up next, Australia’s Alpha Wolf brought crushing grooves and vicious breakdowns to the stage. With their signature blend of aggression and groove, the band ignited the first full-blown circle pit of the day. Tracks like “Akudama” and “Bleed 4 You” translated into pure chaos, and the band’s relentless energy whipped the crowd into a frenzy.
The Devil Wears Prada followed, showcasing their seasoned live prowess. Balancing melodic hooks with brutal screams, the band delivered crowd favorites such as “Salt” and “Dez Moines.” And playing the favored “Danger: Wildman” and dedicating the song to Daniel Williams, the original drummer of the band who had passed away in a plane crash recently. Frontman Mike Hranica commanded the stage with authority, his voice cutting through the sweltering heat as fans screamed along in unison.
As the sun reached its peak, The Amity Affliction took the stage, offering an emotional counterpoint with their blend of post-hardcore melodies and confessional lyricism. Songs like “Soak Me in Bleach” and “All My Friends Are Dead” resonated deeply, with fans chanting every word. The vulnerability in Joel Birch’s vocals added depth to an otherwise intense lineup.
Beartooth brought a shot of adrenaline into the afternoon, with Caleb Shomo’s signature roar leading a cathartic and ferocious set. The band stormed through hits like “Riptide” and “In Between,” mixing positivity and fury with precision. Shomo’s impassioned speeches about mental health were met with roaring applause, creating one of the day’s most personal and uplifting moments.
As dusk began to fall, metalcore legends Killswitch Engage took over with a masterclass in heavy music. Their set was a celebration of both legacy and relevance, as songs like “My Curse,” “The Signal Fire,” and “The End of Heartache” stirred a wave of nostalgia and power. Jesse Leach’s vocals soared across the amphitheater, and guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz’s energy and humor brought smiles between the sonic devastation.
Parkway Drive followed with one of the most explosive sets of the evening. Opening with “Prey” and rolling into “Vice Grip” and “Bottom Feeder,” the Australian giants commanded the stage with arena-sized production, fire bursts, and thunderous riffs. Frontman Winston McCall stalked the stage like a general rallying his army, and the crowd answered with relentless moshing, headbanging, and screams of allegiance. Finishing off the night with a spinning flaming drum cage while the crowd chanted the band’s name.
Closing the night in grand fashion was I Prevail, blending metalcore brutality with mainstream appeal. Their dual-vocal dynamic between Eric Vanlerberghe’s harsh vocals and catchy melodies delivered crushing lows and soaring highs. Songs like “Hurricane,” “Bow Down,” and “Bad Things” turned the crowd into a sea of movement, while light shows and confetti cannons added theatrical flair to their sonic punch.
The Summer of Loud Festival proved to be more than just a lineup—it was a celebration of community, catharsis, and the enduring power of heavy music. From the opening chords to the final encore, the event showcased the genre’s diversity and evolution. For West Palm Beach, it wasn’t just a festival—it was a landmark moment in the Florida heavy music scene.
PARKWAY DRIVE
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KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
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THE AMITY AFFLICTION
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