The Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City was the place to be on February 27, 2026, as Three Days Grace rolled into town for a massive co-headlining night. The energy in the building was through the roof from the start, and it all kicked off with The Funeral Portrait. These guys really know how to set a mood, bringing their “Devotion” ceremonies to life with a set that was as much about the theater as it was about the music. Their gothic, high-energy rock got the early crowd invested right away, proving they belong on these big arena stages.
Following that, I Prevail really brought the heat, proving why they are one of the most resilient names in the scene right now. Since their 2025 album Violent Nature dropped, the band has pivoted to a leaner, heavier sound. This tour marks a major new chapter for them as it is their first full run without longtime clean vocalist Brian Burkheiser. Eric Vanlerberghe has taken over all lead vocal duties, and his performance in Atlantic City showed he is more than capable of holding down the fort, shifting effortlessly between his signature guttural screams and the melodic hooks that the band is known for.
After that explosive opening, the anticipation for the Three Days Grace reached a fever pitch. The real lightning rod for the night, however, was seeing original vocalist Adam Gontier back with the band. Having both Adam and Matt Walst on stage together created an incredible energy that spanned the band’s entire career. The chemistry between the members was undeniable, with Barry Stock, Brad Walst, and Neil Sanderson locking in to deliver that signature heavy sound. Hearing those classic anthems with the original voice behind them, alongside the power Matt has brought to the group for the last decade, made the set feel complete.
The setlist was a perfect mix that covered the entire history of the band. They leaned into the new material while making sure to hit the massive radio staples that put them on the map. During “Riot” and “Animal I Have Become,” the Atlantic City crowd was so loud they were practically drowning out the PA system. The production was top-tier, featuring a big light show and a stage setup that matched the scale of the arena.
It was one of those nights where everything just clicked. Seeing two heavyweights like Three Days Grace and I Prevail on the same stage was great, but the return of the classic Three Days Grace lineup made it a standout show for 2026. If you were there, you saw a band at the top of their game giving the Atlantic City crowd exactly what they came for.
Three Days Grace
I Prevail
