On August 7, the Camp Screamo Tour rolled into Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, bringing together two of the most recognizable names from the post-hardcore and emo scene: Silverstein and Story of the Year. With support from Origami Angel and Ally Nicholas, the night offered a little bit of everything—from a relaxed summer evening by the water to screaming vocals, huge sing-alongs, and plenty of energy in the pit.
The show took place at Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, a venue that is quickly becoming a scenic place to catch a concert in Western New York. Sitting right along the waterfront, the venue gave concertgoers the chance to take in the sunset over Lake Erie while enjoying the music. The venue’s grassy areas also made it easy for people to spread out blankets and relax during the opening sets. Local food trucks added to the laid-back summer atmosphere, giving the evening more of a festival feel than a traditional concert.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a night of emo and post-hardcore without a little humor. One fan showed up in a full banana costume, complete with “PIT HERE” written across the back—a fitting invitation for anyone looking to spend the night in the middle of the chaos.
Kicking off the evening was Ally Nicholas, getting the crowd warmed up as fans continued to make their way into the venue. With the sun still hanging over the waterfront, the early part of the evening had a relaxed atmosphere, with some attendees sitting on blankets in the grass while taking in the opening performance.
Next up was Origami Angel, bringing the energy up another level as the crowd began gathering closer to the stage.
The band was a fitting addition to a tour built around the emo and post-hardcore scene, helping bridge the gap between the laid-back start to the evening and the heavier performances that were still to come.
By this point, more and more fans were making their way toward the stage, and the anticipation for the two co-headliners was becoming impossible to miss.
Then it was time for Story of the Year.
From the opening notes of “And the Hero Will Drown,” the band made it clear that they had no intention of slowing down. Their set moved through a mix of material spanning their career, including “Anthem of Our Dying Day,” “Falling Down,” “2005,” “Real Life,” and “Until the Day I Die.”
The entire set was high energy, with the band sounding as hungry as ever. There was something particularly fitting about seeing Story of the Year on a tour like Camp Screamo. These are songs that many fans grew up with, and hearing them performed decades later brought out the kind of reaction that only comes from music that has stayed with people for years.
At one point, the band pointed out just how long they have been together, joking that they have now been a band longer than they haven’t been a band. It was a funny reminder of just how much history was standing on that stage.
Story of the Year continued to push the energy throughout the set, eventually closing with “Until the Day I Die,” giving longtime fans one of the biggest sing-along moments of the night.
Finally, the lights went down once again and it was time for Silverstein.
The Canadian post-hardcore veterans came out swinging with “Negative Space,” immediately followed by “Drain the Blood” and “Smashed Into Pieces.” From there, the band continued digging through their catalog, playing songs including “Your Sword Versus My Dagger,” “I Am the Arsonist,” “The Afterglow,” “Stress,” “Massachusetts,” “Infinite,” and “Bad Habits.”
For longtime Silverstein fans, the set was packed with moments that stretched across the band’s career. The setlist pulled from albums ranging from When Broken Is Easily Fixed and Discovering the Waterfront to more recent material, giving both longtime fans and newer listeners plenty to enjoy.
Then came “The Altar/Mary,” followed by “My Heroine” and “Smile in Your Sleep”—three songs that helped turn the already energetic crowd into one massive sing-along. Silverstein closed the night with “Bleeds No More,” ending their roughly 70-minute set with one final burst of energy.
What made the night work so well was the balance between the setting and the music. Early in the evening, fans could sit on the grass, grab food from the local vendors, watch the sunset and enjoy the waterfront. A few hours later, that same crowd was packed in front of the stage, screaming lyrics and throwing themselves into the pit.
That is what made Camp Screamo at Terminal B such a memorable night. It wasn’t simply a nostalgic trip back to the emo and post-hardcore era. It was a reminder that the music has never really left.
For fans who grew up listening to Silverstein and Story of the Year, these songs still carry the same weight. And judging by the crowd at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, there are plenty of people who aren’t ready to let them go anytime soon.
