Colorblind, Dark Divine, Miss May I & Blessthefall Light Up Toad’s Place New Haven, CT – September 27, 2025

Walking into Toad’s Place last night, the energy hit immediately. There’s something about that space, dim lights, the hum of anticipation, the faint smell of sweat, merch, and great friends that makes you know a good night is coming. And with a lineup like this: Colorblind, Dark Divine, Miss May I, and Blessthefall, it wasn’t just good, it was electric. From the moment the first guitar riff rang out, it was clear this was going to be one of those nights you remember for years.

Colorblind opened the night, and they did it with authority. Travis Moseley’s vocals immediately drew me in, they were raw, heartfelt, and carried a weight that made every lyric land. Watching him move across the stage, connecting with the crowd while belting out every note, set the tone for the evening. Justin Page shredded on guitar, his riffs sharp and precise, while Nicholas Asper’s bass gave the songs a solid, rumbling foundation. Tyler Moseley’s drumming was relentless, driving each track forward with energy that the room could feel in its chest.

Their full setlist was a perfect opener, starting with the gripping “Motionless”, a song that immediately got heads nodding and fists pumping. “Needle Eye” followed, a tighter, heavier track that showed off the band’s chemistry. Then came “Car Crash”, which felt like it hit harder in the live setting than on record. “Letdown” brought a moment of melodic tension before diving into “God Complex”, which had the pit moving and everyone singing along. “Ghosts” followed, full of haunting energy and they closed with “Way Out”, leaving the crowd buzzing, hyped, and ready for the next wave. By the time the last chord faded, I could feel the collective adrenaline in the room, it was a perfect opening statement.

Next up, Dark Divine took the stage. Coming from Orlando, they brought their own flavor of heavy, melodic chaos. Anthony Martinez’s vocals soared, perfectly balancing aggression and melody, while Robby Lynch’s guitar work cut through every song with sharp precision. Cory “Scissorhands” Piscitelli’s bass lines added thunder beneath the riffs, and Triston Blaize’s drumming was tight, unrelenting, and consistently driving the momentum. Watching them live, it was impossible not to be drawn in, they commanded the stage like they were headlining, even as the second act.

Their full setlist reflected this intensity:

• The Reaper

• Dancing Dead

• Make Me Disappear

• Better Start Digging

• Burn the Witch

• Cold

• Halloweentown

• Halloweentown II

From “The Reaper”s pounding intro to the dual parts of “Halloweentown”, they had the room in their grip. You could see fans mouthing the lyrics, caught in the melodic hooks, nodding in time with the riffs, fully immersed in the music. The energy didn’t dip for a second, and by the time they finished, the crowd was energized and primed for the headliners.

Then came Miss May I, and the room absolutely erupted. Levi Benton’s vocals were commanding and feral, cutting through every song with intensity that made you feel every lyric in your chest. Elisha Mullins’ guitars were sharp and intricate, adding layers of tension and release throughout the set. Ryan Neff’s bass and backing vocals held everything together while adding punch to every chorus. Jerod Boyd’s drumming was relentless, keeping the momentum flowing and pushing the crowd into motion.

Their full nine-song setlist was nothing short of explosive:

• Shadows Inside

• Unconquered

• Forgive and Forget

• Crawl

• Relentless Chaos

• I.H.E.

• Pray for Silence

• Under Fire

• Hey Mister

Right from “Shadows Inside”, the pit was moving, the energy palpable. By the time “Unconquered” hit, people around me were singing along, fists pumping in unison. “Forgive and Forget” brought a slightly melodic respite, but the intensity returned immediately with “Crawl” and “Relentless Chaos”, songs that had the crowd completely lost in the music. During “I.H.E.” and “Pray for Silence”, the walls seemed to vibrate with the combined energy of fans and band alike. By the time “Hey Mister” closed the set, the room was alive, a collective organism breathing and pulsing with the music. Miss May I didn’t just play, they owned every second, leaving the crowd soaked in sweat and exhilaration.

Finally, Blessthefall closed the night, bringing a level of energy, precision, and emotion that was the perfect finale. Beau Bokan’s vocals soared, cutting across the venue and giving every chorus weight. Jared Warth’s bass lines grounded the songs while adding depth to the melodic hooks. Eric Lambert’s lead guitar work was electrifying, Elliott Gruenberg’s rhythm guitar kept the structure tight, and Jared Frøn on drums drove each track with precision and power. Watching them perform live, you could see the passion in every movement and hear it in every note.

Their full setlist:

• Cutthroat

• Wake the Dead

• Hollow Bodies

• 2.0

• What’s Left of Me

• Promised Ones

• mallxcore

• Hey Baby, Here’s That Song You Wanted

“Cutthroat” opened their set with immediate force, drawing cheers and applause. “Wake the Dead” and “Hollow Bodies” had the crowd singing along, voices raised in perfect harmony with the band. “2.0” and “What’s Left of Me” carried a mix of aggression and melody that kept the energy steady but emotionally charged. “Promised Ones” hit hard, and by the time “mallxcore” played, you could feel the collective rush of the room, everyone moving and singing together. Closing with “Hey Baby, Here’s That Song You Wanted”, Blessthefall left the stage to a roar of approval, the kind of end that leaves the room buzzing long after the lights come up.

From opener to headliner, every band brought something unique to the stage. Each set had its own energy, its own connection with the crowd, and yet the night felt cohesive, a single, unstoppable surge of music, emotion, and communal experience. The walls of Toad’s Place seemed to vibrate with the energy, and walking out into the night, you could still feel it lingering in your chest.

This was more than a concert; it was a shared experience. Watching fans sing along, nod their heads, and connect to every note made it feel like everyone in the room was part of something larger than themselves. From the first scream of “Motionless” to the final note of “Hey Baby, Here’s That Song You Wanted”, the night was a reminder of why we go to shows: for the music, for the energy, and for the moments that stick with you long after the venue empties.

Written and photography by Holly Borden - Holly Roy Photography