Black Veil Brides (w/ Autumn Kings, Archers, & Caskets)
Wind Creek Event Center - Bethlehem, PA - September 26th, 2026
Photos & words by Lexi Schnell (@lexischnell)

It had been way too long since I’d last seen Black Veil Brides live, so when the Vindicatour finally made its way to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, I went into the show with high expectations. By the time the band took the stage at Wind Creek Event Center, the room was packed and buzzing with anticipation. What followed was a night of strong performances, impressive production, and a band that clearly loves putting on a show for its fans.

Autumn Kings got the night started right on time, bringing plenty of energy to the room from the beginning. Lead singer Joseph Coccimiglio performed in a striking red jacket that looked far too warm for the stage lights, making it all the more impressive that he kept it on throughout the set. The bassist’s long dreads went flying as he moved around the stage, while the band kept the crowd engaged with songs including “GONE, GONE, GONE.” They sounded great live, with plenty of hands and rock signs in the air throughout the set. They also seemed determined to get their guitar picks into as many hands as possible, giving away seemingly every pick they had with them. It was an energetic start to the night, and the crowd was clearly excited to have them there.

Archers kept that energy going, opening their set with the stage dark and the crowd singing along to an acoustic version of “Lips of an Angel.” From there, they launched into “Drag Me Out,” showing off lead singer Nathanael Pulley’s impressive vocals.

After their third song, Nathanael encouraged the crowd to get moving, joking that the security guards looked a little too bored. They played “The Dirt” and “Bitter,” the latter prompting a circle pit, before closing with “Perfect Strangers.” They repeatedly thanked the crowd for supporting live music and emphasized that they do what they do for the fans. Before leaving the stage, they gave away setlists and other memorabilia, including turning one into a paper airplane that made it surprisingly far into the crowd.

Caskets were next, wasting no time getting the crowd moving. Their backdrop featured a coffin shape that was only visible under certain lighting, creating a cool effect throughout the set. They asked the crowd to split down the middle, resulting in one of the largest mosh pits of the night. “Drowned in Emotion” followed, with the band continuing to challenge the crowd to give them everything they had. Hailing from Leeds, UK, they were a particularly fun addition to the lineup for this University of Leeds alum, and the audience seemed just as invested, with fans toward the back screaming along at the top of their lungs.

By the time the lights went down for Black Veil Brides, the crowd had completely filled in and was ready to go. I had forgotten just how insane Christian “CC” Coma’s drum kit is, but it was only one part of a production that felt appropriately massive. Candelabras and gothic-inspired stage elements framed the band, while dramatic lighting added to the atmosphere.

The timing of the show made it even more significant. Shortly before taking the stage, the band announced that their following night’s New Jersey show had been canceled due to the nor’easter, making Bethlehem the final night of the Vindicatour. Fans grew increasingly antsy waiting for them, and the second the lights went out, chants of “Black Veil Brides!” erupted throughout the venue.

Opening with “Knives and Pens,” the band immediately showed the experience that comes with years of performing together. Andy Biersack made a noticeable effort to interact with every section of the crowd throughout the night, reading fan signs, waving to different sides of the venue, and making sure the audience felt included. It’s rare to see a frontman distribute that much attention so evenly across a room of thousands.

That interaction extended to some of the smaller moments, too. Andy brought a fan named Riley onstage for a game of rock-paper-scissors with CC, joking that it was early in the set for them to already be messing around. He also explained that he had noticed her large sign was blocking the view of people behind her, so he figured bringing her onstage now would allow everyone behind her to have a clear view the rest of the night. It was a small moment, but it was also a pretty perfect example of the band's genuine consideration for their audience.

The set moved through songs including “Bleeders,” “Hallelujah,” “Vindicate,” “Certainty,” “Wake Up,” “Alive,” “Rebel Love Song,” “Revenger,” “Woe & Pain,” “The Legacy,” and “Perfect Weapon.” The production was just as strong as the music, with dramatic lighting, sound effects, and plenty of stage presence. Andy’s vocals were pristine, and the band sounded every bit as tight as you'd expect from seasoned veterans. They also made a point of recognizing each opener individually, asking the crowd to cheer for Autumn Kings, Archers, and Caskets and telling the audience that they believed all three bands were going to be huge. The appreciation seemed genuine, as did their gratitude toward their own crew, whom they took a moment to thank from the stage.

One of the night's most memorable moments came during “Wake Up.” Since Bethlehem had unexpectedly become the final show of the tour, Grayson from Archers—who is a huge BVB fan—was invited back onstage to play drums. When someone went down in the crowd during the song, Andy immediately stopped the performance until they were taken care of. The band then restarted the entire song so Grayson could play it in full.

There was no shortage of smiles, jokes, and goofy moments throughout the set, and it was impossible not to get caught up in how much the band clearly loves performing together. Even fans who seemed to have been brought along by someone else could be heard turning to each other and saying, “These guys are so insanely good.” The best moments, of course, came at the end. For the encore, Andy was joined onstage by his wife, Lilith Czar, for “The Cut,” before the band closed out both the night and the tour with “In the End.” It was a fitting ending to an already memorable show.

Black Veil Brides put on the kind of performance that makes you want to go home and immediately listen to them again. Their musicianship and production were impressive, but what stood out most was how consistently they made an effort to connect with the people in front of them. I went in excited to see a band I hadn't seen in far too long, and left already hoping I won't have to wait nearly as long for the next one.