AFI / TR/ST

Does the Fire Still Burn? AFI in Buffalo, NY

***AFI – Buffalo Riverworks, Buffalo, NY***

AFI brought fire, nostalgia, and a few surprises to Buffalo Riverworks the night after dropping their new album Silver Bleeds the Black Sun. From deep cuts like “Veronica Sawyer Smokes” to the live debut of “Blasphemy & Excess,” the setlist kept fans guessing and shouting. And when “Morningstar” closed the encore, the entire room lit up.

The day after releasing their latest album Silver Bleeds the Black Sun, AFI took the stage at Buffalo Riverworks with a clear sense of purpose and a refreshed presence. The dark, emo aesthetic that once defined their early 2000s image had evolved into something more polished. Frontman Davey Havok stepped out in leather and metal with a look that leaned more glam rock than goth, his focus sharp and his energy controlled but intense.

The band opened with “Strength Through Wounding,” a short, brooding piece that acted more as a mood-setting intro than a full song. It led directly into “Girls Not Grey,” which immediately lifted the crowd’s energy and set the tone for the rest of the night. Havok moved across the stage with confidence, delivering each lyric with conviction and staying locked into the moment from the first note to the last on songs like ‘Bleed Black’. His vocals were clear and strong, a reminder that after all these years, he still commands the stage with ease.

But as always, AFI’s power came from the full band. Guitarist Jade Puget and bassist Hunter Burgan anchored their sides of the stage with tight, precise playing. While less animated than Havok, their energy built in waves, flaring up when they met in the middle or responded to the crowd. Their chemistry felt natural, built over years of playing together, and gave the set its solid foundation.

While it wasn’t a sold out Tuesday night, the atmosphere inside Riverworks didn’t suffer for it. The main floor was packed, with fans shoulder to shoulder and fully engaged. The balcony offered space for those watching from a distance, many of whom were clearly longtime fans. You could see it in the mix of generations; kids not even old enough to remember AFI’s early records singing along with older fans who had clearly been there since the beginning.

The setlist was a big part of what made the night special. AFI has been changing it from show to show on this tour, giving each crowd a slightly different experience. Buffalo was treated to deep cuts like “Veronica Sawyer Smokes,” which drew a cheer from older fans, and the live debut of “Blasphemy & Excess” from the new album, a track that hit with a darker, heavier tone that blended well with the rest of the set.

As the show closed, the band returned for a two song encore, ending with “Morningstar.” The response was immediate and overwhelming. Fans erupted, singing along with every word of the slow-burning fan favorite, closing the night on an emotional high note that felt earned, not staged.

Of course, tracks like “Miss Murder” brought some of the loudest reactions of the night, with the entire floor shouting back every lyric. But it wasn’t just about the hits. This show proved that AFI is still willing to take risks, mix things up, and lean into their full catalog rather than just their most recognizable songs.

No matter what form they take, they still makes music with purpose and perform like their lives depend on it. More than 25 years into their career, AFI continues to evolve without losing their identity. Their look may be different and their sound more refined, but the connection between the band and their fans remains just as strong. In Buffalo, that connection was on full display; loud, loyal, and fully engaged from start to finish.

***TR/ST – Buffalo Riverworks, Buffalo, NY***

Joining them on the road is TR/ST, the critically acclaimed Canadian electronic artist known for dark, synth-heavy soundscapes and a devoted cult following. TR/ST’s moody aesthetic offered a fitting contrast and compliment to AFI’s explosive set, setting the tone for a night that blended shadow and spectacle in equal measure.

AFI setlist: