Disrupt Fest 2019 Brings a Great Day of Music To St. Joseph’s Amphitheater At Lakeview

On July 2nd Rockstar Energy’s Disrupt festival overtook Syracuse’s St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview in Syracuse, NY The tour included bands from the early 2000s wave of alt-rock /post-hardcore such as, The Used, Thrice, Atreyu, Four Years Strong, and many more.

Hyro the Hero kicked off the festival bringing his non-stop, high energy set to the masses. He got the early crowd moving and set the tone for the rest of the day. Hyro didn’t let up at all during his set, showing a lot of heart. The energy of his performance reminded me of Rage Against The Machine and Fever 333.

Next up was Juliet Simms ex-singer of the Tampa, Florida rock band Automatic Loveletter. She showcased her eclectic mix of music ranging between indie, rock and modern pop. Her performance was eclectic and enjoyable.

The Australian pop punk band, Trophy Eyes, was the first band of the day I was familiar with. They played a blend of soft, melodic rock and transitioned to their rougher punk sound toward the end of their set. The crowd sang along the entire time.

Memphis May Fire took the stage next. Memphis May Fire is a band I have listened to for years and have always had an appreciation for. The band played a great mixture of their classic songs, along with a healthy mix of some new songs. They did not disappoint their fans.

I was looking forward to seeing Four Years Strong. The Boston based hardcore powerhouse put on an awesome performance! After waiting for what felt like a lifetime to see this band, I can say it was worth the wait. I would definitely check them out again any chance I get.

It was time for Cincinnati native and Black Veil Brides front man, Andy Black, to take the stage. I was curious to see his solo performance. The moment he stepped on stage, the crowd starting cheering and screaming loudly. I was a bit surprised by how enamored the crowd was with him. After seeing his performance, it all made sense. He put on one hell of a show including a cover of Billy Idol’s “Dancing with Myself.”

The time has finally arrived for Atreyu to take the stage. Atreyu is one of my favorite live performers. They stormed the stage, tearing into their recent hit, “The Time is Now.” From the first note, to the last, the band was nonstop energy. The crowd, including myself, had a blast during “Bleeding Mascara.” Another amazing live performance by Atreyu!

The Story So Far was next on the bill. I was not too familiar with their music and was impressed with their fan’s dedication. The entire venue was front to back people singing and moving to the beat. It was an awe-inspiring moment.

Next up was The Used. I enjoyed being up close with all of the rabid fans. It was insane. Lead singer, Bert McCracken, was very engaging. He took time between songs to dish out handshakes and high-fives. They played favorites, such as, “The Taste of Ink,” “All That I’ve Got,” Pretty Handsome Awkward” and many more.

The Post-Hardcore outfit, Thrice, brought the evening to a close. They caught my attention with their unique sound. They pounded out a nice mix of songs from their catalog including, “Artist in The Ambulance,” and new hit “Black Honey.”