Camp Screamo Tour 2026 Comes to Buffalo, New York!
August 7th, 2026 wasn’t just any ordinary day in Buffalo, New York. Elder emo’s and alternative adults gathered at the Outer Harbor Terminal B to celebrate the last stop of the Camp Screamo Tour. Emo/post-hardcore veterans Silverstein and Story of the Year brought friends Origami Angel and Ally Nicholas for one final send-off to conclude a summer’s worth of energy-packed shows. Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, held at Terminal B holds a scenic waterfront view. With a combination of Lake Erie and an open stage setting, the venue comes across as its own little oasis. Lined with food trucks, a large merch tent, and plenty of areas to stand and watch, the Outer Harbor is the perfect summer setting for live music shows. Fans quickly filled in along the barricade, lined up for merch, and excitedly talked about possible songs on each band’s setlist. A fan dressed as a banana with the words “Pit Here” only provided a glimpse of chaos to come. Fans throughout had Camp Screamo uniforms on, dressed as true emo campers would.
Ally Nicholas took the stage first to kick off the night. While we only caught the last couple of songs of her set, she caught our attention right away. The Chicago-born singer brought a darker and grungier edge to the lineup, which paired well with the tour’s lineup. Nicholas’s sound brought a harrowing combination of heavy instrumentals and vulnerable life experiences. Her music has been inspired by her difficult teenage years as heard throughout her lyrics. Even though her set was relatively short, she caught fans’ attention with a more moody and intimate vibe. Nicholas’s set proved to be a strong opener as fans filled through the tunnels of the Outer Harbor. You could hear her passion in her vocals from the parking lot, and fans seemed to appreciate her crowd interaction. If you haven’t heard of Ally Nicholas, make sure to check out some of her latest songs, including “Bored,” “Seventeen,” and “All Summer Long.”
Washington, D.C duo Origami Angel had the honor of opening a show filled with fans who had likely been waiting years to see their favorite early-2000’s bands play again. Quickly, they grabbed the attention of fans with their energetic and playful stage presence. Made up of guitarist/vocalized Ryland Heavy and drummer Pat Doherty, Origami Angel formed in the mid-2010s and quickly became part of the modern emo revival. Their music combines emo, pop-punk, and math-rock. Flashes of hardcore were littered throughout various songs played throughout the night and got the crowd moving. Songs from their 2019 debut Somewhere City were sprinkled throughout the setlist. Songs such as “24 HR Drive-Thru”, “Doctor Whomst,” “#GAMIGANG,” and “Escape Rope” showcased the band’s combination of intricate guitar work, rapid-fire rhythms, and upbeat emo sensibilities. Their recent tour sets also include “ Dirty Mirror Selfie” and “The Title Track.” The band’s set brought a younger, more modern energy to the lineup.
Story of the Year took the stage next with a set display almost as mesmerizing as their songs. The lights complemented the music with a bold, larger-than-life presentation that made the outdoor stage feel strongly intimate. Large LED screens lined the back of the stage with various clips, including their iconic Story of the Year symbol. The band, originating from St. Louis, has been a staple of emo, hard-core nostalgia. With their breakthrough came hot off their 2003 album, Page Avenue. Lead vocalist Dan Marsala wasted no time getting the crowd up and moving. His harsh screams quickly made the venue vibrate with excitement. The band’s fast-paced energy involving various mid-air jumps and climbs along the stage set made for a hypnotizing set.
The most impressive thing about Story of the Year is that they haven’t aged a day. Marsala’s voice still strongly carries the same powerful impact that it did 20 years ago. Hits “Until the Day I Die” and “ Anthem of Our Dying Day” made fans feel like they were back in the Warped Tour and MySpace era. You could tell from the emotion of the crowd that these songs still carried a powerful impact to those who chose to sing along to every lyric. Fans couldn’t get enough as crowd surfers started to flood the barricade and mosh pits erupted in the center of the venue. The band delivered a refreshing set of both new and old songs for their variety of fans in attendance. Songs like “And the Hero Will Drown,” “Gasoline ( All Rage Still Only Numb),” “Tear Me to Pieces,” and “War” made the cut in bringing together generations young and old. The hard-hitting riffs and catchy choruses had fans locked in and ready to move as Marsala and the rest of the band worked the stage.
It’s always difficult to follow such an aggressive, hard-hitting performance, but a band that’s spent more than two decades solidifying their spot in the scene is just the guys to do it. You can’t say the words emo or screamo without the band Silverstein popping into your head. Their musical combination of screamo, punk, and melodic post-hardcore is simply unforgettable; their nearly 70-minute set proved just that. Exploding into their first song, “Negative Space,” they immediately set the tone for the night. Their visual display incorporated horror-camp imagery and cinematic visuals that gave the set a distinctly darker feel. Fog and intense lights only made the set become something out of a movie set, giving life to the Camp Screamo name. Band members were dressed in camp attire, but these weren’t your average campfire songs. The crowd response as Shane Told stepped center stage was explosive. With constant crowd movement and fans shouting lyrics back to the band, you almost couldn’t hear yourself sing. Silverstein and Buffalo, New York have always had a special relationship. Being so close to the Canadian border, Silverstein has always been the big brother to the Buffalo, New York music scene.
Simply put, Buffalo loves Silverstein, and Silverstein loves Buffalo. Told’s vocals remain exceptionally unique as a front man. The importance of music and relatability of Silverstein’s songs to fans is what makes them truly one of a kind. The night was jam-packed with hit after hit of songs both new and old. Favorites such as “ Smashed into Pieces,” “ The Afterglow,” “Your Sword Versus My Dagger,” and “Drain the Blood” showcase the band’s monumental fan base. “Massachusetts” even made the setlist, which is my absolute favorite Silverstein song. With Told stepping off stage onto a large speaker to get closer to fans with outstretched hands, you could tell this was about more than just music. The action did not stop throughout the night, with crowds refusing to settle into a still stance.
As the crowd cleared out and the stage stood empty and abandoned, you could still feel the electricity in the air. Whether you are a new fan to the scene or grew up listening to Page Avenue or Discovering the Waterfront, Camp Screamo made sure to leave its mark. While Buffalo, New York was the last stop of the Camp Screamo Tour, don’t worry, a Camp Screamo Part II is coming in Fall/Winter of 2026. Make sure you don’t miss out on seeing these incredible bands when they roll through your town. For longtime fans, songs that have been with you throughout monumental changes in your life stick with you for life. This tour was just a reminder of how deeply music connects people to both each other and their memories.
Story of the Year Setlist:
1. And the Hero Will Drown
2. Gasoline (All Rage Still Only Numb)
3. Tear Me to Pieces
4. Anthem of Our Dying Day
5. Falling Down
6. Into the Dark
7. Disconnected
8. 2005
9. Real Life
10. War
11. “Is This My Fate"?” He Asked Them
12. Choose Your Fate
13. Blind/Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)/ All the Small Things
14. Until the Day I Die
Silverstein Setlist:
Negative Space
Drain the Blood
Smashed Into Pieces
Your Sword Versus My Dagger
I Am the Arsonist
The Afterflow
Stress
Massachusetts
Infinite
Bad Habits
Retrograde
The Alter/Mary
My Heroine
Smile in Your Sleep
Bleeds No More