Bring Me The Horizon’s USA Ascension Program+ Part 01

Bring Me The Horizon’s USA Ascension Program+ Part 01 tour was nothing short of complete perfection. I caught the Phoenix, Arizona stop and, I swear, everything about that night felt seriously larger than life. The lineup alone was unreal: Amira Elfeky, The Plot In You, Motionless In White, and of course, Bring Me The Horizon finishing the bill. Every band brought their own essence and energy, creating this perfect build-up that made the headliner feel like the cherry on top. From start to finish, it was one of those nights where everything just fell into place: the sound, the visuals, the crowd, the energy.

Opening the night was Amira Elfeky, and as a day-one fan, watching her step onto that massive stage was such a full-circle moment. She balanced new material with older classics, her voice cutting through the arena like a siren totally crisp, powerful, and effortless. The band behind her matched her energy flawlessly, setting the tone for what was about to unfold. There’s something special about seeing an artist you’ve followed since the beginning finding their stride in front of thousands, and Amira did just that. It was the perfect warm-up for the performaces that were to follow. Can’t wait to see where her career takes her!

Then came The Plot In You, and my heart could’ve exploded during the opening of “Spare Me.” That song means everything to me, and hearing it live for the first time hit like a freight train. Amira’s set was soft and ethereal, but Landon Tewers and company brought in this raw, emotional heaviness that shook the place. Don’t let the polo fool you—Landon’s vocals are straight-up otherworldly. My jaw was on the floor the entire time. It was my first time seeing The Plot In You (I missed them earlier this year), and this performance made up for it tenfold. The fans in my section were locked in, screaming every lyric, and that collective passion made the whole experience even more intense.

Motionless In White was, as always, a personal favorite live. Their energy never misses, not even once. Every member command their space on stage, and the crowd just absolutely feeds off it. There’s this mutual connection that happens during their set, especially when you catch Chris’ eyes mid-chorus and find yourself grinning like a kid. Even with a crowd that had its share of “vanilla” fans, Arizona showed up for Motionless. There was movement, there was noise, and there was plenty of love in that room. No one performs quite like them, they make every show feel just beyond personal.

Now, Bring Me The Horizon. Before diving into the show itself, I have to shout out the VIP “Next Gen” experience, which was insanely well put together. Fans got a customized BMTH bag filled with goodies: a coin, lanyard with online VIP access, keychain, pin, sleek box to hold it all. Early merch access meant no busy lines, and being able to browse stress-free was a gift because every single item was fire. They even had a walk-through display of Oli Sykes’ past stage outfits, which was such a cool touch for longtime fans.

When it came time to walk down into the pit, it felt like strapping into a rollercoaster. The adrenaline was unreal, everyone around was buzzing with anticipation, like we were all about to be launched into another world. BMTH doesn’t just play shows; they build an atmosphere. The sound, the lights, the visuals: it’s all so intentional, crafted to pull you in and transport you. They put everything on the table, and the crowd just goes in on it. Sparks of fireworks hit perfectly on cue, graphics painted the stage in disturbing beauty, and every transition was seamless.

One standout moment was seeing band member John Jones step into the spotlight for a piano feature. It’s been great seeing him get more involved, especially vocally, it adds depth to their live presence. Oli himself was the perfect balance of somber and explosive, switching between emotional vulnerability and pure showmanship. His connection to both the band and the audience was palpable, even while playing into the camera for the big screens and media. The intro visuals had this old-school PlayStation feel, mixed with horror-game vibes straight out of Silent Hill or Resident Evil. It hit a nostalgic nerve for me—I grew up watching my uncle play those games, so seeing that aesthetic woven into the show felt personal. At one point, I even spotted myself on the screen, along with friends we made in line earlier that day, which only hyped the crowd more.

For “Antivist,” Phoenix was represented by Boston, who placed third in the tour’s ongoing ranking of guest performers. If you don’t know the “Kyle” inside joke tied to this bit, you’re missing out, it’s a memory we probably want to forget but alsoa hilarious staple of the tour. The setlist was everything a fan could hope for, mixing familiar hits with some newer additions, taking us on a whirl of emotions. You’re either jumping, headbanging, or standing still trying not to cry. During “Drown,” Oli made his usual walk down to the barricade, giving fans their moment, and my sister—who’s a diehard BMTH fan—was one of the lucky few to sing along with him. Seeing that joy on her face was unforgettable.

Footprint Center was overflowing with talent that night, every moment feeling seen and buried into people’s memories. The hours spent waiting in 102-degree heat, the friendships formed in line, the shared anticipation: it all became part of the story. That’s what makes live music so magical. Whether you were front row VIP or way up in the stands, the connection between band and fan, and even fan to fan, was alive and pulsing. My sister and I made amazing friends that day, and one of my friends who brought his daughter to her first metal show who left with enthusiasm of getting to her next one (absolutely love to hear it). It’s proof that this community—this beautiful, tightly-knit web of people, younger and older plus everyone in between, is held together by something deeper than sound. Music ties it all together, and that’s why we chase nights like this.

Even between sets, the arena buzzed with energy as the crowd sang along to pre-show favorites like Sleep Token, System of a Down, and Korn. The vibes never took a dip, which is crazy. By the time the lights came up, I was sweaty, exhausted, but completely fulfilled. The show didn’t just meet my expectations personally, it obliterated tf out of them. And as my sister and I sat in the Taco Bell across the street afterward, half-deaf and smiling like idiots, it hit me: this is why we endure the heat, the long lines, the whole process. Because nights like this remind us why we fell in love with live music in the first place and why the world is a better place with it.

P.S Pt.2 of the tour has just been announced, with the same bill we part-1-ers we're able to experience. This is a show you CAN NOT miss out on. First date starts off on 04/28 in Toronto!