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All Your Friends Fest 2025 Day 1: Rise Against Ignites Burl’s Creek with a Genre-Spanning Kickoff
The opening day of All Your Friends Fest 2025 brought together pop-punk veterans, rising stars, and post-hardcore legends for a jam-packed showcase of energy and emotion at Burl’s Creek. With a stunning festival setting, picture-perfect weather, and a crowd ready to scream every lyric, Day 1 set the tone for an unforgettable weekend. Whether it was a debut Canadian performance or a nostalgic homecoming, each artist made their mark in style.
Faber Drive Sets the Tone with Nostalgic Energy
Faber Drive had the honor of kicking things off, and they embraced the role of festival openers with infectious enthusiasm. As the crowd trickled in and the sun began its descent, the band launched into “You and I,” their breakout single that had longtime fans singing along immediately. Their set was a reminder of just how deep their early 2000s catalog runs, with punchy hooks and feel-good choruses bringing back a wave of Warped Tour memories. Their stage banter was light, fun, and humble — a band happy to be back where it all started.
Despite being first on the bill, Faber Drive didn’t feel like a warm-up act. Their stage presence was playful but tight, with each member clearly enjoying the moment. Whether bouncing around the stage or flashing wide grins between tracks, their energy was contagious. It was the kind of set that made newcomers curious and longtime fans feel seen — and it set the bar high for what was to come.
Winona Fighter Brings Raw Energy
Making their Canadian debut, Winona Fighter wasted no time making a lasting impression. With a gritty, no-holds-barred performance, they ripped through a selection of songs from their new album that felt both raw and cathartic. Their mix of grunge-influenced riffs and punk vocals brought a unique edge to the lineup, offering something fresh while still fitting seamlessly into the festival’s nostalgic vibe. It’s rare to see a first-time Canadian performance land with such impact — and they had the crowd in the palm of their hands.
At one point, the band slipped into a short instrumental detour that got the crowd buzzing — we even got a little taste of some riffs from “Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys, echoing across the grounds like a rebellious call to arms. The tease was brief but electric, blending seamlessly into their set without breaking the momentum. Winona Fighter may have been a newer name on the lineup, but by the end of their set, they left as certified festival standouts.
Four Year Strong Bring the Breakdown-Heavy Fun
Four Year Strong stormed onto the stage with a relentless barrage of breakdowns, gang vocals, and good vibes. Known for blending pop-punk melodies with hardcore aggression, they brought a dynamic energy that had the crowd both moshing and singing. From the moment they launched into their first track, fans erupted into movement, and the band fed off it with infectious excitement. Their synergy with the crowd was magnetic, commanding singalongs and calling for high fives between riffs.
Throughout their set, the band made it clear why they’re considered kings of the easycore sound. There were no slow moments — only moments that got harder. Their between-song banter was light and sarcastic, showing off a band who knows how to have fun while staying razor-tight musically. They came to bring the party, and with each earth-shaking breakdown, Four Year Strong made sure the field at Burl’s Creek felt like a basement show on steroids.
Moneen Lights Up the Stage with Passion and Movement
Moneen took the stage with a sense of urgency, diving headfirst into songs from their beloved album “The Red Tree” and the cult classic “The World I Want to Leave Behind.” Their set was a chaotic symphony of emotion, with members leaping across the stage and pouring every ounce of passion into each track. The energy was electric, and it was impossible not to be drawn into their world of melodic introspection and raw expression. It felt like a homecoming — and the Burl’s Creek crowd welcomed them with open arms.
Between songs, the band slowed things down with sincere, heartfelt conversations. They thanked fans for sticking with them and took time to recognize the long journey of being an artist. Offstage, they made their kindness known — chatting with fans and photographers with the same warmth they brought to the mic. Moneen didn’t just play a set; they created a moment — the kind fans will talk about long after the weekend ends.
The Starting Line Wins Over New Fans with Classic Pop-Punk Charm
The Starting Line took the stage during that golden sweet spot in the afternoon — when the sun started to dip just enough for everyone to breathe a little easier, and the Burl’s Creek crowd was perfectly warmed up. It was our first time catching them live, and while we weren’t familiar with their full discography, the energy and authenticity they brought to the stage made an instant impression. Their brand of classic pop-punk hit all the right notes, even for first-timers.
What really stood out were the die-hard fans pressed up against the rail, singing every single word like it was 2003 all over again. That kind of connection between band and audience was impossible to ignore. With fun, bouncy stage presence and tight musicianship, The Starting Line delivered a set that felt both nostalgic and fresh. Sometimes, the best sets are the ones you didn’t expect to love — and this one was a welcome surprise.
Boys Like Girls Bring the Crowd to Life
When Boys Like Girls kicked off their set with “Love Drunk,” the festival reached a fever pitch. The singalongs were deafening, and the energy unmatched. Hailing from Boston, the band brought a mix of polished pop-punk and heartfelt storytelling to the stage, sharing tales from their early days and expressing their deep love for playing in Canada. It was a masterclass in how to play to both nostalgia and momentum.
Their chemistry on stage was magnetic, and their bond with the crowd was evident in every chorus. They worked the stage with seasoned confidence, weaving fan favorites into an emotional and explosive set. By the time they closed with “The Great Escape,” it was clear that this was one of the most impactful sets of the night. The Burl’s Creek crowd, the biggest so far, was left breathless — a sea of voices unified in one massive singalong.
The Veronicas Dazzle with Pop-Punk Flair
All the way from Australia, The Veronicas turned heads the moment they stepped on stage. Their set was sleek, choreographed, and loaded with attitude. From the opening beat, it was clear these sisters know how to command a crowd. Their voices sounded flawless live, and their synergy as performers was both visually stunning and emotionally captivating. Even the photographers in the pit were caught singing along — a testament to how powerful their pop-punk energy really was.
Highlights included a punchy rendition of “Gimme Gimme,” which had the entire crowd dancing under the setting sun. The Veronicas brought a refreshing contrast to the heavier acts on the lineup, without sacrificing intensity. Their set was a balance of style and substance, and it’s no surprise they made such a strong impression. Their trip across the globe was well worth it — for both them and the Burl’s Creek crowd.
Underoath Unleash Chaos and Catharsis
When Underoath hit the stage, the grounds transformed. Their set was the heaviest of the day, a whirlwind of old favorites and new material, including their blistering new single “Shame.” The band wasted no time turning the front pit into a warzone — fans moshed, crowd-surfed, and screamed along to every word. Their use of the stage was frantic and intense, with vocalist Spencer Chamberlain commanding every corner like a general in battle.
One of the most memorable moments came with the delivery of the lyric “Generation no surrender / They’ll have nothing to remember,” which echoed across the crowd like a war cry. Underoath proved that even after two decades in the game, they’re still a force to be reckoned with. By the time they left the stage, the Burl’s Creek crowd was drenched in sweat and adrenaline — a collective release of chaos that only a band like Underoath can provide.
Rise Against Closes Day One with Fire and Fury
Rise Against stepped onto the stage with the precision and fury of a headliner who knows how to own the night. A wall of pyro lit up the skyline as the first notes rang out, immediately sending the already electric crowd into overdrive. Their set was a masterful mix of fan-favorite anthems and deeper cuts, delivering on every level. Tracks like “Savior” and “Prayer of the Refugee” had fists in the air and voices raised sky-high.
From their stage presence to their powerful lyrics, Rise Against reminded everyone why they’re still one of the most important voices in modern punk rock. They used every inch of the stage to engage the audience, speaking passionately between songs about unity, resistance, and the power of music. As flames shot into the sky and the final chords rang out, Day 1 of All Your Friends Fest 2025 came to a roaring, unforgettable close — leaving the Burl’s Creek crowd exhilarated and ready for more.
Final Thoughts
Day 1 of All Your Friends Fest 2025 was a full-throttle reminder of why festivals like this matter — not just for the music, but for the shared experience. From longtime fan favorites like Rise Against, Underoath, and Boys Like Girls, to emerging forces like Winona Fighter, every artist brought something real, raw, and unforgettable to the Burl’s Creek stage. There were moments of pure chaos, moments of catharsis, and even a few surprise riffs that turned heads and sparked pit-wide cheers. It wasn’t just a show — it was a celebration of a scene that’s still alive and evolving.
Whether you came to scream the lyrics of your youth, discover your next favorite band, or just lose yourself in a sea of like-minded music lovers, Day 1 delivered on every front. And with two more days of music still to come, the only question left is: how do you even top this? Stay tuned — because if this was just the beginning, we’re in for one hell of a weekend.
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