Twenty years after releasing one of the defining debut albums of the 2000s alternative metal scene, Flyleaf is once again fronted by the unmistakable voice that helped launch the band into mainstream success. Following reunion appearances with original vocalist Lacey Sturm at several festivals in 2023, the band has officially returned to the road, kicking off its first headlining tour since reuniting with a sold out performance at Atlanta’s Tabernacle.
Flyleaf has always occupied a unique place in rock music. Blending alternative metal, nu metal, hard rock, post grunge, and occasional screamo, the band’s sound stood apart from many of its contemporaries. Equally distinctive was its identity as a Christian band whose lyrics rarely preached directly, instead exploring universal themes of despair, redemption, hope, and perseverance that resonated with audiences well beyond a single community.
That sense of community extended onto the stage itself. Family members and children of various ages could be seen watching from the wings throughout the evening, quietly enjoying the performance and supporting the band behind the scenes. It added an unexpectedly personal touch to a show built on intensity.
Sturm was a whirlwind from the opening moments. Constantly in motion, she twirled across the stage, her hands rarely still as she connected with every section the venue including fans in the Tabernacle’s side balconies. Her excitement at being back on a headlining stage was unmistakable, matched by vocals that remain every bit as expressive and powerful as the recordings that first introduced Flyleaf to listeners two decades ago.
Bassist Pat Seals provided the perfect visual counterbalance. While Sturm floated effortlessly around the stage, Seals embraced full rock star mode, delivering a muscular performance that anchored the band’s heavier moments. Guitarists Sameer Bhattacharya and Jared Hartmann largely worked from the edges of the stage, creating space for Sturm to command the spotlight while still delivering the thick, driving guitar sound that defines so much of Flyleaf’s music.
The setlist celebrated the Lacey Sturm era, drawing exclusively from the three studio albums she recorded with the band. Fans were never going home without the songs that first caught their ear. The band closed with five straight songs from their self-titled debut, and the closing pairing of “I’m So Sick” and the band’s first Top 40 hit, “All Around Me,” transformed the Tabernacle into one final singalong, fitting for an audience absent opportunities to hear the band in over a decade.
If the reunion festival appearances in 2023 encouraged the band that they still had an audience, this performance confirmed it. The chemistry, energy, and emotional connection that defined the band’s early years remain firmly intact, making this anniversary tour feel less like a celebration of the past and more, hopefully, like the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Setlist:
Ohio’s Wolves at the Gate preceded Flyleaf with a blistering 40 minute set that raised the night’s intensity several notches. The quartet’s blend of post hardcore, metalcore, and melodic hooks contrasted nicely with the evening’s headliner while still complementing the overall theme. The band, like Heal the Hurt and Flyleaf, focuses on personal struggle, conviction, and redemption rather than explicit religious messaging, but also placing “the God question” to the audience in a break between songs.
The band’s tight musicianship and relentless energy won over a crowd that was steadily filling the Tabernacle, setting the stage for Flyleaf’s long awaited return. By the time their set concluded, the audience was fully engaged and ready for the long overdue return of Flyleaf.
Begun in Social Circle, GA, Heal the Hurt opened the evening with a concise but energetic 30-minute set. Fronted by a vocalist Trevor Tyson, the band paired modern hard rock with a positive message, pausing between songs to speak candidly about mental health issues and encouraging anyone struggling to seek help.
Their enthusiasm connected with the early arrivals, creating a welcoming atmosphere that fit the spirit of the evening. Whether delivering heavier moments or more melodic passages, Heal the Hurt demonstrated why they were a fitting choice to begin a tour centered as much on hope and perseverance as on powerful rock music.
