O2 Academy, Glasgow
11th July, 2026
Chevelle
Glasgow’s music venue O2 Academy was fully sold out for a gig by Breaking Benjamin, headlining alongside the magical Chevelle, on a night of brilliant music.
First on, though, was the rock fest of an American band called ‘Return to Dust.’ They seemed to fuse the likes of Grunge and Alternative metal, but their hard rock gauge was off the charts, and they looked pretty good too. The world first encountered this band in 2022, releasing EP ‘Black Road’, and only two years ago in 2024 came their debut album, ‘Return to Dust’ – fresh music for a great start to the evening.
While the music moulded a fantastic rock concert, the aesthetic of the auditorium was something joyous. Chevelle come next, playing a mix of hard Rock, alt metal, alt rock and post Grunge, which is an interesting mix and its energy seemed limitless.
Chevelle formed way back in 1995, so they came from a time of wonderful music. Famously, Chevelle’s original entourage was two brothers forming a formidable plan. The band kept changing through its chrysalises, but have been settled a while now to record and tour. The two: Chevelle and Breaking Benjamin are on a large tour of Europe and the UK.
This prolific post-Grunge band have released a whopping 10 Studio albums, their life course changing when their second album ‘Wonder What’s Next’, went platinum in 2002, and their concerts got bigger.
It was a joy to see this bright performance of serious rock, blending these various genres coming out and grasping the strengths of vocal, drum and guitar. Really great venue, heavy thrash metal with post grunge that never really lost its ground.
Definitely perfect for a good rock gig, the three bands blended this experimental yet forceful music, popping down with some great writing, and pulling in another great night. I liked it for a number of ways, always admiring the tightness of players especially in the metal style. This night’s difference was a twist of each genre, playing with new freshness and almost as powerful an effect.
Because Chevelle and Breaking Benjamin are currently sharing this tour, the great feeling of an entourage in full swing occurred throughout the three-band gig at the O2. Breaking Benjamin took to stage for the last hour and half, to open the final and most powerful cork on the night’s proceedings.
Very similar influences extended themselves through the loud roots of the evening, performing an outstanding concert. Loud enough to vocally and energetically spring into the muddy music of hard rock and grunge combined, from them came a musical love billowing in all the right places.
Breaking Benjamin are also American, being also formed way back in 1999; releasing ‘Saturate’ in 200,2 followed up by ‘We are not Alone’ in 2004, this was with an original line up. They have 6 Studio albums released with the last one being, 2018’s ‘Ember’.
Taking in this gig was easy for me from start to finish. I felt that the bands both honoured their influences, broke new ground, and also levelled the playing field with some high emotive music enhancing the name of rock and hard rock.
Words: Daniel
Photos: Anastasia Devlin