It was a perfect February weekend in sunny Orlando, Florida for the inaugural 2023 HeartSupport Fest that kicked off at the Orlando Amphitheater. Saturday was highlighted by the long-awaited return of metal powerhouse headliner Parkway Drive to Florida. Joining the festivities over the weekend were Rise Against, Underoath, The Ghost Inside, Dance Gavin Dance, SpiritBox, August Burns Red, Silverstein, Memphis May Fire, The Devil Wears Prada, Senses Fail, Hawthorne Heights, Comeback Kid, Four Year Strong, The Word Alive, Bleed From Within, Harms Way,’68, He Is Legend, Bloodlines, Silent Planet, Prison, and Currents.
HeartSupport Fest 2023 was organized by August Burns Red singer Jake Luhrs and his non-profit HeartSupport foundation. “Our mission with HeartSupport Fest is not to recreate the festival experience, but to bring the self-care and self-love conversation to the forefront of the festival community by creating a space that promotes active dialogue around challenges that we all face, as musicians, fans, and everything in between,” says Luhrs. “I’m beyond excited to announce we will be hosting a music festival to benefit HeartSupport and the community! Having the opportunity to host a mission-based music festival with some of my favorite fellow musicians is an absolute dream come true. Our goal with HeartSupport fest is to create a high-energy festival experience that highlights our core values of diversity, acceptance, inclusion, self-love and self-care, and mental health as a priority.”
HeartSupport is a non-profit organization that aims to help people who are struggling with mental health issues, addiction, and other personal challenges. They provide a variety of resources, including online support groups, mentoring programs, and educational content. The HeartSupport support community is not one of counselors, therapists, or mental health professionals. They consist of regular people who want to love, accept, and encourage people to live with purpose. No matter what you’ve done or what’s been done to you, you can anonymously make a post, join a chat, or talk with someone and be honest about the state of your mental health. The foundation of this community is built on non-judgment and unconditional love, urging you to keep moving forward and help you discover ideas for great next steps in your mental health. To learn more whether it be for help or to get involved check HeartSupport out at https://www.heartsupport.com/.
In addition to a weekend of great music, the festival offered fans the opportunity to be taught music lessons by the likes of ABR frontman Jake Luhrs, metal vocalist guru Melissa Cross, ABR drummer Matt Greiner, or The Word Alive vocalist Telle Smith. But wait, there was more…throughout the weekend, fans had the opportunity to do meet and greets with headliners Parkway Drive and Rise Against.
Kicking off the festival on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon on the Hot Topic Foundation Stage was Bloodlines, the Christian Metalcore band hailing from South Texas with their energetic, moody, and emotionally resonant sound. The band’s sound is characterized by the use of driving, rhythmic guitar riffs, and propulsive drum beats layered with atmospheric synths and moody, introspective lyrics. The band was more than ready to set the tone for the weekend, and just like that HeartSupport Fest 2023 was off to the races. Following Bloodlines on the Betterhelp Stage would be the metalcore band from Connecticut, Currents. The rest of the weekend would follow that pattern back and forth between the two stages, with the last three bands of the day tearing it up on the main stage. Rounding the short rapid, fire 20-minute sets were the high-energy, hard-hitting Scottish metal band Bleed From Within and the rockers from Wilmington, North Carolina, He Is Legend.
By mid-afternoon, the grounds at the Orlando Amphitheater were rocking as the crowd surfing, and moshing had already ramped up as metalheads watched their favorite Santa surfing over the crowd. As set times increased, the energy level skyrocketed, and the sweet sounds of metal accosting the Florida skies brought nothing but pure ecstasy to all in attendance. Next up would be Memphis May Fire, led by Matty Mullins with his powerful and aggressive vocals. The band maneuvered through their set with their signature brand of heavy, driving guitar riffs and pounding rhythm. The Devil Wears Prada, Comeback Kid, and The Word Alive continued the assault on the senses as this would be the trend for Saturday, each band adding to the intensity and excitement leading up to the headliner.
The weekend’s sleeper that crushed their set was Comeback Kid, a Canadian hardcore punk band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Their sound is characterized by its high-energy, aggressive style, blending elements of hardcore punk and melodic hardcore. Its fast-paced, driving rhythms, heavy guitar riffs, and intense vocals with sing-along choruses resonated with fans. The band delivered a powerful, high-energy form of hardcore punk that was both intense and melodic.
Temperatures cooled as the sun faded but the excitement and energy levels mounted in anticipation of what was to come. Starting the evening off was a band hailing from Florida that just continues to build momentum with their infectious level of energy, Underoath, followed by fan favorite and event host August Burns Red, then Dance Gavin Dance and to blow the roof of the building Parkway Drive.
In addition to making this amazing event happen, August Burns Red’s frontman Jake Luhrs was more than ready to shed his festival duties for an hour to assist his bandmates in delivering a high-energy, technically proficient, and powerful set typical of ABR. The setlist was a typical mix of the band’s greatest hits infused with some newer material. Throughout the entire show, the band’s musicianship was simply incredible. Lead guitarist JB Brubaker shredded through intricate solos with ease, while bassist Dustin Davidson and drummer Matt Greiner provided a rock-solid rhythm section that kept the crowd moving. Luhrs was an absolute powerhouse, commanding the stage with his guttural screams and intense stage presence. He engaged the crowd with his passion and energy, encouraging mosh pits and sing-alongs that had the entire venue vibrating with energy. One of the highlights of the show was the band’s performance of “White Washed,” which is arguably their most popular song. The crowd went absolutely wild as Luhrs belted out the song’s iconic opening lines, and the entire room shook with the force of the mosh pit.
Parkway Drive is an Australian metalcore band known for their high-energy and intense live performances, and Saturday evening was no different. This would mark the band’s first visit to the Sunshine State since 2018 due to multiple cancellations stemming from the pandemic. The crowd erupted as Parkway took to the smoke-covered stage, kicking off the insanity with “Glitch” off the Darker Still album. The 75-minute onslaught would see the band perform a 15-song set that traveled across six albums and ended with a crushing rendition of “Wild Eyes.”
From the moment Parkway hit the stage, the audience was completely entranced by their high-energy, no-holds-barred approach. Frontman Winston McCall immediately commanded the stage with his fierce intensity and commanding presence, engaging the crowd with his powerful vocals and frenzied movements. He was backed by a tight and cohesive band, including guitarists Jeff Ling and Luke Kilpatrick, bassist Jia O’Connor, and drummer Ben Gordon, each of whom contributed to the band’s signature sound. Each song was delivered with a raw, visceral energy that left the audience pumping their fists and screaming along. The band’s musicianship, with the interplay between Ling and Kilpatrick, the two trading off blistering guitar solos and playing off each other with precision and finesse, added an extra layer of complexity to the music. The night ended with the crowd drained of energy, wondering what was to come the next day.
Mother Nature decided to turn up the heat for Day two as fans could be seen taking cover wherever shade could be found, mostly along the fence line. What would Sunday have in store for fans after Saturday’s intensity could only be described as getting a Mike Tyson punch to the throat. Sunday’s HeartSupport Fest lineup consisted of Rise Against, The Ghost Inside, SpiritBox, Silverstein, Senses Fail, Hawthorne Heights, Four Year Strong, Harms Way,’68, Silent Planet, and kicking it off on the Hot Topic Foundation Stage was the Seattle based band, Prison.
Highlighting the afternoon bands were ’68 and Senses Fail, two very different bands with the same result, pure intensity. From the moment they hit the stage, ’68 captivated the audience with their explosive energy and raw, gritty sound. The lead vocalist and guitarist, Josh Scogin, commanded the stage with his frenzied movements and impassioned screams, while drummer Nikko Yamada pounded out thunderous beats that shook the room. What truly set this show apart was the dynamic between Scogin and Yamada. The two played off each other with an almost telepathic understanding, each anticipating the other’s every move and never missing a beat. Whether it was Scogin leaning over Yamada’s drum kit, or Yamada standing up to deliver a pounding rhythm, the two created a thrilling sense of tension that electrified the crowd.
Senses Fail is known for its emotionally charged lyrics and high-energy shows, and Sunday was no exception. From the moment they took the stage, the crowd was completely enthralled by their performance. Frontman Buddy Nielsen immediately engaged the audience with his dynamic stage presence, delivering each song with a fierce intensity that drew the audience in. He moved across the stage with a raw, almost primal energy, connecting with the crowd on a deeply emotional level.
Closing out the Hot Topic stage was Spiritbox, with its unique blend of metal, rock, and pop. From the moment they took the stage, Frontwoman Courtney LaPlante commanded the stage with a fierce intensity, her powerful voice soaring over the complex and dynamic instrumentation. She moved across the stage with a raw energy that electrified the crowd, delivering each song with a fierce passion that left the audience in awe. But what truly set this show apart was the band’s incredible musicianship. Guitarist Mike Stringer and drummer Zev Rose worked together with an almost telepathic understanding, creating a complex and intricate musical landscape that provided the perfect backdrop for LaPlante’s soaring vocals.
Next up was The Ghost Inside, a metalcore band that has gained a dedicated following over the years. As the lights dimmed, the crowd roared, and The Ghost Inside took to the stage; the band members looked every bit the rock stars that they are. The lead singer, Jonathan Vigil, with his growling vocals, was powerful and emotive, clearly conveying the passion and pain behind the lyrics. The guitars were razor-sharp, cutting through the mix with precision, and the basslines were deep and driving. The drums thundered through the venue, with intricate fills and pounding rhythms that had the crowd headbanging and moshing with abandon. Do yourself a favor and catch The Ghost Inside in concert.
All good things must end, and closing a weekend of music and inspiration was Rise Against. The opening chords of their first song immediately get the crowd moving, and lead singer Tim McIlrath’s powerful vocals cut through the air with an intensity that demands attention. The band’s tight musicianship is on full display as they power through their setlist, delivering each song with precision and passion. As the show draws to a close, Rise Against shows no signs of slowing down. Their final songs are some of their most energetic and anthemic, and the crowd is fully invested in the experience, singing along and moshing with abandon. By the time the band takes their final bow, it’s clear that everyone in the room has been part of something special – a powerful and inspiring show that not only entertained but also challenged and motivated its audience to make a positive difference in the world.
And with that, the curtain draws to a close. Thank you HeartSupport 2023, and we look forward to the encore!
