A year has passed since AFI released their album Silver Bleeds the Black Sun and from it, they’ve run two tours. They’re about halfway through their second leg, and I had the honor of seeing them in Columbus, Ohio.
Let’s talk openers- for the Holy Visions 2026 Tour, AFI has brought along Salt Lake City ethereal indie act Choir Boy. If I wasn’t sold by the “Freddie Mercury and David Bowie sing the Cure” first impression (let’s be clear: I was), I would have fallen in love by the time one of the band members pulled out a saxophone. There wasn’t a whole lot of talking and introduction except for a heartfelt shout out to Columbus from the aforementioned saxophonist who spent the first 30 years of his life in the city. Even seeing AFI at the very same venue 24 years before.
I’m a sucker for a full circle moment. And I can appreciate just a full set of hit after hit. One of the reasons I love live music is discovering new music via openers of bands I love. There is definitely a reason AFI picked Choir Boy to join them on tour. Their music was the perfect appetizer. Definitely will be adding some of their songs to my playlist rotation, like their newest release “I’ll Always Let You Down”.
A Fire Inside, A.K.A AFI, have been a band for over 30 years. With no hint or intention of slowing down, they are still wreaking Havok on stage (pun intended). Whether you’ve been a fan of AFI from the beginning or somewhere in the middle, there was something for everyone in the setlist. From their punk roots to their more recent 80s goth rock, AFI delivered a jam-packed set of just hits (not that they have any misses but I’m biased). They even played one song from Crash Love, their contentious follow up to that one album that had Miss Murder on it. You know that album?
And while nothing can totally beat out the fact I got to hear “So Beneath You” played in a church turned concert venue last year on the first tour (sorry, I have to brag), there was still the hair-raising, goosebump-inducing euphoria of Silver and Cold. I know it’s not very team-player of me, but there is always a moment in a crowd where the singer stops and lets the crowd sing that I just shut up and listen to. The Newport might not be a stadium or arena but, man, did the crowd sing and put all their heart and soul into it each time Davey Havok pointed the microphone towards them.
I have been trying to go to more shows, but I think AFI might forever be on top of my list of most entertaining just for the fact that the set is almost a love letter to their audience and fans. I can’t think of a single other frontman who has the same style and flair when it comes to performing live.
One more thing- does anyone know how I apply to become Davey Havok’s microphone stand babysitter? Underrated hero, that guy.
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