Chevelle at Mid America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa on September 20, 2026.
Photos and Review by The Pit Magazine Contributor, Bob DeHart Photography
Chevelle was billed as one of the opening acts for Breaking Benjamin, but you would have thought it was a Chevelle show when they took the stage. If I have learned anything over the past few years, it’s that there is nothing quite like the fan base of Chevelle. They are one of the most loyal fan groups I’ve encountered. They will come out in force to support this band. As the third act of four, the crowd was not ready to slow down at all. Chevelle took the stage and the energy and intensity level raised up a notch or two.
And while the band has a great stage production-amazing light show and video production, I’m not so sure the fans would care if they came out to a bare stage and just plugged in and played loud. Don’t get me wrong, the production is impressive. But the music is the main character. And these guys are your meat and potatoes, bare essentials. One guitar, one bass, and drums.
Don’t let the simplicity fool you, it works very well for them. Guitarist/Lead vocalist Pete Loeffler’s riffs are as strong as anyone’s. The are instantly recognizable to the crowd. And the crowd knows every word to every song. It’s one of my favorite parts of any show. When the fans make the show their own and just take over a song. You know magic is happening at that point.
Chevelle’s latest release “Bright as Blasphemy” came out just over a year ago. Those songs fit very well into the setlist. But just like any veteran band, the people come to hear the classics. And Chevelle delivered those. One of my favorites was Comfortable Liar. I could listen to that song live every day, it’s that good. The set was a little shorter since they were the opener, but what was lacking in quantity was made up for in quality. One great song after another. This is a great tour, with Breaking Benjamin as the headliner, Starset and Kami Kahoe opening the show. Mix in Chevelle, and you have one great night!
Photos by The Pit Magazine photographer, Bob DeHart Photography in York, Nebraska. ©2026.
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