Rise Against In Vancouver

Rise Against In Vancouver Ricochet Fury, And A Career-Defining Set To PNE Forum

Some bands age gracefully. This one age like a lit match tossed into a gasoline soaked crowd. Rise Against In Vancouver returns for the first time in just under two years, the Chicago punk mainstays turned the PNE Forum into a sweat drenched celebration of legacy, resistance, and catharsis. With 2026 marking the 20th anniversary of The Suffer & The Witness and the band riding the momentum of their 10th studio album Ricochet, this stop had every ingredient needed for something memorable. By the end of the night, it was clear Vancouver had witnessed Rise Against at full force. From the moment fans poured into the Forum, the atmosphere felt charged. Shirts from every era of the band’s catalog filled the venue. Siren Song, to The Suffer & The Witness, Endgame, fans sported favorites. There was even a healthy dosage showing love for opener Destroy Boys.

Destroy Boys

The California alt-punkers stormed with an intensity that makes an opener feel like an event. If you’ve caught bands like Scowl or Mannequin Pussy, you know the energy this lane of punk can carry. It’s raw, unfiltered, empowerment of feminism. Destroy Boys fit that mold perfectly as their 12 song set left the PNE Forum in a frenzy. Vocalist Alexia Roditis was immediately captivating, stepping out in a full clown-inspired look that somehow felt chaotic, theatrical, and completely at home in the band’s brand. The makeup, the outfit, the attitude, all of it worked. But as striking as the visual was, it was the performance itself that made the strongest impression.

Their instrumentals were relentless, pushing the crowd into motion almost instantly as two-stepping, crowd surfing, and all around pit chaos spread like a wildfire. Songs like “Crybaby,” “Muzzle,” “Locker Room Bully,” and closer “Fences” landed with real force. But the set’s emotional center came from its unapologetic message. “Women can do anything a man can.” Roditis declared, drawing one of the loudest cheers of the opening set. It was a moment that resonated far beyond one corner of the crowd, with nearly the entire Forum erupting in agreement. By the time they wrapped, Destroy Boys had done exactly what every great support act hopes to do. They turned curious onlookers into believers. Rise Against deserves a ton of credit for putting them in front of a room this size, because if Vancouver wasn’t already paying attention, they absolutely are now.

Rise Against Gave It All

For a lot of fans, Rise Against are a band tied to a very specific era. One where political unrest, anti war sentiment, and social frustration were impossible to ignore. For those who grew up in the 2000s, especially with the Iraq War looming over the cultural landscape. Rise Against became one of the most important voices in punk rock. They didn’t just soundtrack the moment, but instead challenged it. That urgency made albums like 2006’s The Suffer & The Witness feel essential, and two decades later, its impact remains undeniable. Whether it was “Ready to Fall,” “The Good Left Undone,” or “Prayer of the Refugee.” The latter of course became a gateway anthem for many thanks to Guitar Hero III. The Suffer & The Witness became a cornerstone record for an entire generation. And inside the PNE Forum, it was obvious just how much that album means.

Opening with “Re-Education (Through Labor),” the band wasted no time igniting the Forum. Circle pits broke open and Tim McIlrath was locked in from the jump. Commanding the room with the same conviction that has made him one of punk’s most dependable frontmen for decades. Backed by Joe Principe, Zach Blair, and Brandon Barnes. Rise Against in Vancouver was sharp, urgent, and fully in control of the chaos they created. In celebration of The Suffer & The Witness, Vancouver got a healthy serving of the album’s DNA. With “Under the Knife,” “Prayer,” and “Chamber the Cartridge” all hitting with renewed power. But, it was “Ready to Fall” and “The Good Left Undone,” that set the blaze. Fans screaming every word back at McIlrath. It was one of those rare moments where nostalgia didn’t soften the impact. But instead sharpened it. And to the band’s credit, the night never became overly reliant on the past.

Setlist

New material from Ricochet slotted into the set, particularly with “Nod.” Which drew a strong response and felt right at home among the classics. Elsewhere, Endgame’s “Help Is on the Way” and “Make It Stop (September’s Children)” reminded the crowd of the band’s ability to pair melody with message. One of the more electric moments of the night came during “Give It All.” When McIlrath stepped down to the barricade and into the thick of the mayhem. Fans lunging forward, taking over lyrics, and reaching out for quick high fives. It was chaotic in the best possible way and felt like the perfect visual representation of the band’s relationship with their audience. Then, just when the room needed a breath, the band shifted gears. “Hero of War” and “Swing Life Away” brought the pace down without sacrificing emotional weight, transforming the Forum into a sea of swaying lights and unshakable voices. Phones and lighters filled the air as fans sang with the kind of conviction that only comes from years of carrying these songs with you. It was a softer stretch, sure, but no less powerful. If anything, it only reinforced how well Rise Against understands the emotional architecture of a great live set.

Endgame

There was never a world where Vancouver let Rise Against leave without an encore, and thankfully, the band made it count. Closing the night with “Make It Stop (September’s Children),” “Like the Angel,” and the towering final blow of “Savior.” Rise Against In Vancouver delivered a final stretch that felt equal parts celebration and exorcism. By the time “Savior” hit its final chorus, the PNE Forum had become one massive voice.

Almost three decades into some of their most beloved material and 10 albums deep into their career. Rise Against still know how to make old songs feel immediate and new songs feel earned. They know how to build a setlist that honors every era without losing momentum. And most importantly, they know how to make a room full of people feel like they’re part of something bigger than a concert. This wasn’t my first time seeing Rise Against in Vancouver, but it was unquestionably the best. The setlist was as close to perfect as you could ask for. Fans of The Suffer, Appeal to Reason, Siren, Endgame, and now Ricochet all had something to hold onto.

Thank You

I’d like to thank Rise Against in Vancouver and their incredible team for allowing me to experience the show. If you’d like to find a future tour date, please visit here: https://riseagainst.com/

Rise Against In Vancouver