Dance Gavin Dance :: The Fall Of Troy :: Wolf & Bear :: Novelists
May 20, 2026
Eagles Ballroom, Milwaukee
Shot & Written by Kelsie Barlow
Milwaukee got rowdy on May 20th, as iconic post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance brought their 2026 tour to the historic Eagles Ballroom in The Rave. With a strong and talented four-band line-up, fans were having the time of their lives on this Wednesday night. The show kicked off with French metal-core band, Novelists.
Novelists had a really fun vibe, and even though lead singer Camille Contreras was sick, she put on an amazing show and said it was great to see everyoneβs smiling faces out in the crowd. Throughout their set, the band members had a nice sense of play with each other, and that made them a really fun band to watch. The vocals had a great balance of melodies and screaming, and the breakdowns were juicy enough to get a stank face from all concertgoers. Novelists ended their set with the song βTurn It Upβ, and told us to βgive them what we fucking gotβ¦β and we did.
Wolf & Bear took the stage next, and I was immediately taken by their quirky energy, as a remixed version of the NFL theme song played preceding the first song of their set. There was a great push-and-pull between the vocalists and the guitarist, and the chaotic performance really got the audience going. At one point, screamer Blair de Leon hopped up onto the barricade and had a moment of close interaction and catharsis with the crowd. They announced that their new album, A Hill To Die On, will be released on May 29th and that we should all check it out. Wolf & Bear not only impressed with their stage presence, but the music is something I couldnβt help but dance to. This band left their impact as a memorable opener and a band to watch.
The Fall Of Troy took the stage as the third and last opener before Dance Gavin Dance, and this three-piece band brought the heat. The set sparked excitement before their set even began, when drummer Andrew Forsman came onstage for soundcheck and played an insane combo. And the insanity only grew when the band took the stage. The heavy breakdowns and elaborate guitar had fans crowdsurfing, and they even brought on a friend and fellow musician as a guest vocalist for their third song. The fall of Troy was the perfect final opener as they had fans fired up for even more great music to come.
When Dance Gavin Dance finally took the stage, the audience erupted with an excitement I seldom witness, especially on a Wednesday night. The show started with fake police lights, and the band took the stage and started the show with βAnimal Surgeryβ. The crowd was jumping so much that I felt the floor shaking beneath my feet, and witnessing fans screaming, singing at the top of their lungs, and getting filled with emotion that brought them to tears. This show was a beautiful reminder that music has brought us all together, and even though we experience it differently, it still creates a sense of community. The band played hits such as βChucky vs. the Giant Tortoiseβ, βElder Gooseβ, and βUneasy Hearts Weigh the Mostβ. The energy in the room never plateaued; it rose throughout the show. Watching from the back of the room, there seemed to be at least one crowd-surfer at any given moment. Even a man dressed as Jesus Christ crowdsurfed.
Dance Gavin Dance has been making impactful music for 20 years, and their impact continues to span communities and music lovers. Seeing how this band has touched so many lives was amazing, and Iβm happy to see music lovers continuing to let it all go at these shows. This tour crosses the country at several different locations through July first. If Dance Gavin Dance is coming to a city near you, I highly recommend catching their live show.
