Metal, Ska, Emo, and More at Centennial Hall This Month
Save Ferris, Autumn Lies Buried, Chironex, and Sam Gilman highlight upcoming calendar
Sam Gilman with Sea of Ghosts, and Shell Shock
Moving from behind the drums to the front of the stage, Sam Gilman will perform material from his solo project, backed by his band at Centennial Hall. Gilman is better known to Erie and YouTube audiences as the beat-keeper for First To Eleven. While the online sensations have made a career from their covers, Gilman's own work will be on display here exclusively. The singer and guitarist's emotional alt-rock promises to captivate audiences with its pathos and earnestness. The trio will be joined by Akron rockers Sea of Ghosts and Gilman's frequent collaborators, Erie's ShellShock.
Friday, Aug. 7 // 6 p.m. // $25 pre-sale, $30 at the door
Dweller and Moneyball with Perfect Blue, Nu Sance, and Stellar Motus
Serving up a one-two punch of shoegaze and emo at the Bunker at Lavery's, dweller and Moneyball will find themselves in Erie amidst a mini-tour running through the Midwest. The Brooklyn-based post-hardcore four-piece dweller are touring in advance of the release of their Soft EP, due this fall. The Cincinnati quintet Moneyball are rallying in support of their recently released EP Dogcatcher, a phenomenal work that fans should get familiar with immediately to help aid in gang-vocal style singalongs. The pair will be supported by Pittsburgh's Perfect Blue (playing their very first show), Erie nu-metal youngsters Nu Sance, and Erie/Pittsburgh quintet Stellar Motus, hot off their recent debut EP Northbound.
Sunday, Aug. 9 // 5:30 p.m. // $10 at the door
Autumn Lies Buried with Gelatin Skeleton, Let It Rot, and Mantra of Morta
With their unique mix of deathcore and nu-metal, the Clarksville, Tennessee quartet Autumn Lies Buried are bringing their aggressive sound to Erie. Packed with a staunch anti-racist message, the band has been releasing material since 2017, with their Mob Mentality EP coming out in the summer of 2025. Expect blast beats, guttural vocals, and the occasional rap breakdown to keep you on your toes. Joining them on tour will be Lansing, Michigan deathcore quintet Let It Rot and Indiana female-fronted prog/alt-metal purveyors Mantra of Morta. Erie's metal mainstays Gelatin Skeleton will offer up a little local chaos to the already exciting bill.
Thursday, Aug. 13 // 6 p.m. // $15 advance, $20 day of show
Save Ferris with Stacked Like Pancakes, Half Dizzy, and Oh No … It's Mustard Gas!
One of the defining ska bands of the late '90s, Save Ferris blends high-energy exuberance with danceable hooks. Playing their 1997 third-wave ska masterpiece It Means Everything from start to finish, the band crisscrosses genres and tones. From their hit cover of "Come On Eileen" to the swing-tinged "Superspy" and the theatricality of "Lies" to the '90s novelty of "Spam," the album covers a lot of ground. Helmed by the operatically-trained vocalist Monique Powell, the band returns to Erie County for the first time since touring in support of the album's release at Edinboro's "Skalloween." Alongside them will be Minneapolis' Stacked Like Pancakes, whose politically-tinged ska punk is sure to pump up the crowd (be sure to listen to their memorable 2024 EP Everything Happens to prep for the show). NYC punk rockers Half Dizzy will keep the energy flowing, with fans of their 2025 album Yard Sale fist-pumping along with every chorus. This show also features the triumphant return of Oh No … It's Mustard Gas! The local ska punk legends are more than happy to be such a perfect fit for this bucket-list show.
Friday, Aug. 14 // 6 p.m. // $25 advance, $30 day of show
Chironex with Cerebral Desecration and Baregrounds
Houston metal storytellers Chironex offer a blend of hard-hitting riffs and mythology-inspired lyrics to the Erie stage. With their 2025 full-length The Crucible of Brutal Opposition, the quartet proves itself through blistering musicianship and inviting grooves. With virtuosic licks and heavy breakdowns, they're fit for fans of both technical death metal and progressive exploration. Joining them are San Marcos, Texas death/thrash veterans Cerebral Desecration, touring behind their excellent 2025 EP Empty Black, alongside Erie's own Baregrounds, who will kick off the evening with a healthy dose of lake-effect death metal.
Wednesday, Aug. 19 // 6 p.m. // $10 advance, $15 day of show
Hand of the Tribe with Battle Chapel and Storms Within
Another packed night of heavy music converges on Centennial Hall as Boston's Hand of the Tribe brings their trademark sound of thunderous riffs and soaring melodies to Erie. Blending modern metal with hard rock influences, the band has built a reputation for commanding live performances. Supporting them are local heavyweights Battle Chapel, whose dance-ready metal is sure to get fists pumping. Rounding out the show will be Storms Within, whose melodic metalcore perfectly preps the audience for what's in store. Make sure to spin their 2025 album Delusional Confidence ahead of time.
Friday, Aug. 28 // 6 p.m. // $10 advance, $15 day of show
3 Years Hollow with Trackside and New Damage
For nearly two decades, Illinois/Iowa hard rock veterans 3 Years Hollow have crafted hook-heavy anthems bridging the gap between post-grunge and modern rock. With emotionally charged songwriting and anthemic choruses, the band continues to build new audiences. Nashville quartet Trackside find themselves in the middle of a 21-date run with 3 Years Hollow (not to mention dates with Buckcherry and L.A. Guns), showcasing their own brand of modern rock to Erie. Chester County, Pennsylvania's New Damage opens the evening fresh off the release of their Voyage EP.
Tuesday, Sept. 1 // 7 p.m. $15 advance, $20 day of show
All shows at Centennial Hall, 145 W. 11th St. // For tickets and info: tickets.eriereader.com
