Las Vegas is no stranger to what it means to bring rock to the house, and this year, the Downtown Rocks music series has been a cut above the rest. With only a few events left this time around, this has been packed with artists like Fuel, Sleeping With Sirens, Finger Eleven, and numerous other big names. However, the one that hit home the most for me was seeing Story of the Year on the bill.

Now, it is no secret that Story of the Year has been a personal favorite for over 20 years; I can still remember breaking the back button on my old MP3 player just from listening to “And the Hero Will Drown” on repeat. I’ll try to keep the bias to a minimum, but as always, a SOTY show brings non-stop energy from start to finish.

The atmosphere they create is one of a kind. Sure, you can go see a band, and they can make you feel something, but with these guys, it goes much further. This is one of the few bands around that still has all its members without drastic lineup changes: we literally grew up together. Standing in their audience, you feel that. Partner that with sound that evokes everything from nostalgia to pure adrenaline, Story of the Year will always have something for everyone.

By my count, we were treated to a massive 14-song set, featuring songs from their latest releases, but we were privy to some older cuts too, like my personal favorite, “‘Is This My Fate?’ He Asked Them,” as well as everyone’s favorite “Anthem of Our Dying Day.” What really tied it all together is how effortlessly they are able to go from the heaviness of “Disconnected” to the genuine nostalgia of “2005.”

Keeping with social norms, our final treat of the night was “Until The Day I Die.” There will always be songs that define generations, but to experience this one live is a whole other story. These gents get to relive their “I made it” moment every night they perform this track. The entirety of downtown Las Vegas was alive in chorus, singing together, showing just how much of an impact this song has on people.

Story of the Year is an act that screams passion and emotion from the rooftops. Las Vegas is so lucky every time they take the stage here. If you’re looking for your chance to experience this chaos, they will be on tour throughout the rest of the year, and most likely coming to a city near you!