The Plot In You in Worcester Could Be A Show of The Year
Wow. I think my ears are still ringing, the legs are still sore, and I haven’t cleansed people’s sweat off my body from squeezing through the hordes of humans that sold out The Palladium in Worcester on Friday for the headliner The Plot In You. The Palladium, located in the heart of Worcester, Massachusetts, stands as one of the most iconic and historic music venues in New England. Known for hosting a wide range of events—from rock and metal shows to rap concerts and comedy acts—the Palladium is cherished by both fans and performers for its gritty, old-school charm and intimate concert experience. With a history that dates back over a century, this venue has evolved with the times while maintaining its unique identity as a staple of the local music scene. One of the defining characteristics of the Palladium is its intimate atmosphere. While the venue has a capacity of around 2,000 people in its main hall, it retains a feeling of closeness between the performers and the audience. Unlike modern, corporate venues, the Palladium's layout brings fans right up to the stage, providing a raw and authentic concert experience.
Whether you're in the front row or up in the balcony, the view is excellent, and the proximity to the performers enhances the energy and connection during live shows. The sound quality at the Palladium is one of its standout features. The acoustics of the venue are designed to handle the loud, bass-heavy nature of rock and metal shows, which make up a significant portion of its bookings. The venue’s acoustics create a powerful, immersive sound that fills the space without becoming distorted, making it a favorite among bands and fans alike. However, the venue’s age also gives it a slightly rough-around-the-edges vibe, which only adds to its charm for those who appreciate the gritty, unpolished feel of a historic music hall. I have been coming to The Palladium since I was 15 years old. My first concert was Limp Bizkit and I’ll never forget it!
I arrived at the show well early to meet with some photographers and chit-chat. I was keeping my eye on the crowd to see the demographics this metalcore show was drawing in. The age groups varied, but everyone somehow dressed in a way that you knew they were going to this genre of a show. Speaking with a handful of people the consensus was they liked The Plot In You but many were there to see the opener, which consisted of the much harder Boundaries. Boundaries is a local band from Connecticut that has a massive following.
Taking the stage first was Acres, an up-and-coming band from the UK. I recently started listening to their music after I learned we would be covering this concert. I absolutely love their music and it’s been in rotation since I played the first track. Their performance was exactly like I expected with their emotions pouring through Ben Lumber’s voice paired well with his melodic screaming. They were a perfect opening act and I was left wanting just a bit more from them. They played 6 songs including my favorite song from them “Lost”. I spoke with Ben pre-show and he told me that this tour has been long but he has had a blast being in America. I think after leaving Worcester that night it rejuvenated them to push through the last couple tour dates before making the well-needed trip back home. I look forward to continuing to follow their success. I will be at the next US show that hits New England.
Our next act to surge to the stage, and surge is a perfect word to describe what was about to happen. If you weren’t awake and ready to go from Acres then Boundaries was going to knock you on your ass. That is what happened. I was blown away by their performance. Partly because I am new to this genre and the other reason is they just bang. It was heavy, raw, and filled with emotions. Their aggressive sound, emotionally charged lyrics, and unrelenting energy plummeted into your chest. I felt like I was the music, if that makes any sense. The music seemed to bounce back out of my body creating an energy that can only be reproduced at the next Boundaries show. I was blown away by this performance. Hailing from Hartford, Connecticut makes this band even better. Local to the area they have massed a loyal following. This was very evident at this show. Many times the band addressed the crowd which was filled with friends, family, and members from other bands. By now The Palladium was absolutely packed. I don’t even know if the word packed describes the amount of people. I have not seen this many people crammed into this venue. You literally could not move. It would take me almost a whole song to get from the media pit up to the mezzanine. I had to squeeze through thousand of people packed like sardines. It was an amazing sight to see and be apart of. Not being used to this genre I was pleased to see the art of moshing and crowd surfing still alive. I feel like these acts of love at shows are a dying breed. Or at least I thought. They apparently are alive and well at metalcore shows and I’m here for it. Boundaries music hit us with punishing breakdowns, razor-sharp riffs, and guttural vocals that consisted of themes of personal struggle, mental health, and resilience. I know this will not be my last show that I attend by Boundaries. They gained a new fan and solidified my love for this genre. They are now my go to playlist when I hit the gym! 10 song setlist was just not enough. However, we did get an extra song “Get Out” just for the hometown crowd. Give us more. Now.
Holding Absence hailing from Wales popped on the stage next with a burst of fun energy. Lead singer Lucas Woodland came out performing jump kicks and seemed to never sit still. Woodland’s powerful voice sounded spectacular and very melodic than what I expected at this show. Woodland’s heartfelt connection to the music was evident, with moments where the crowd passionately sang along, their voices merging with his in anthemic unity, which is always nice to hear. It’s always great when a performer stops singing their song for a line and the crowd roars back the missing lyrics. What that must feel like as a rockstar is unbelievable. Musically the whole band which consists of guitarist Scott Carey, bassist Benjamin Elliott, and drummer Ashley Green, created an electrifying atmosphere that felt very fun and uplifting. For fans of emotive, powerful rock music, catching Holding Absence live is an absolute must. The crowd surfing seemed to die down a bit during their set. I believe the rowdy crowd tired themselves out and were saving their energy for the headliner and the band of the hour, The Plot In You.
The Plot In You is a band that has consistently evolved, pushing the boundaries of metalcore and alternative rock while maintaining a deeply emotional core. Formed in 2010 by vocalist Landon Tewers in Findlay, Ohio, the band started as a side project but quickly grew into something much more significant. Over the years, their sound has transitioned from aggressive breakdown-heavy metalcore to a more melodic, introspective style.
Their early work, including First Born (2011) and Could You Watch Your Children Burn (2013), showcased their brutal yet deeply personal approach to heavy music. Tewers’ raw, guttural screams and the band’s punishing instrumentals created an atmosphere of anger, pain, and emotional turmoil. The lyrical themes often revolved around dark personal experiences and storytelling that resonated with fans of heavier music.
However, it was with Happiness in Self Destruction (2015) that the band began to truly expand their sound. This album featured a mix of heavy and softer elements, diving deeper into personal struggles, heartbreak, and mental health. The raw emotion in tracks like “My Old Ways” and “Take Me Away” revealed a new level of vulnerability in their music. This is what resonates with me. I love when artists dive deep into personal struggles that all can relate too. Tewer;s voice allows for the emotions to leave his body and somehow penetrate into in a sort of healing process. I spoke with at least 2 fans that I know that said Tewers saved their lives. It was very touching to hear their stories. I can only imagine how many people in that packed theater had the same interpretation. Impressive. I hope that he knows that he has healed many people with his words and musical notes.
Their shift toward a more alternative and cinematic sound became even more evident with Dispose (2018) and Swan Song(2021). Dispose introduced a more polished and electronic-infused sound, with tracks like “Feel Nothing” becoming anthems of emotional intensity. Meanwhile, Swan Song balanced haunting melodies with explosive moments of aggression, proving that The Plot In You could masterfully blend beauty and chaos. I had the pleasure of learning a lot about this band and its evolution over the years after deciding to cover the concert. Throughout their career, the band has remained unafraid to evolve, with Landon Tewers’ haunting vocals and honest lyricism anchoring their ever-changing sound. Whether through heavy breakdowns or atmospheric ballads, The Plot In You has built a reputation for crafting music that speaks to raw human emotions. Their ability to constantly reinvent themselves while maintaining their authenticity makes them one of the most compelling bands in modern rock and metal.
The lights then dimmed. Nothing but an old jukebox on the stage producing a static noise like only the old radios can produce. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” came through the speakers sparking a chorus from the thousands in attendance. The band busted out with the song “Don’t Look Away”. A single released in 2024. I absolutely banged this song daily. I think it’s a brilliant song with wonderful hard-hitting breakdowns but also showing a softer side of Tewers. This was another one of those songs I had on repeat at the gym. So thank you for helping me lose weight!
The setlist carried on. The crowd was locked in. Multiple times Tewer’s begged the crowd to give them their all. One time stating “I want to see the worst version of every human right now” before belting out his lyrics. I swear that we broke the Guinness Book of World Records for most crowd surfing. That was highlighted by the band throughout the set. It really was something to witness first hand. I was right in the action in the media pit. A few times I thought I was going to have to assist because of how man fans were flying hand over hand towards the stage. The security for The Palladium could barely keep up. My hats go off to them for the amount of work they had to do. Many were pouring with sweat,. They did an awesome job and I didn’t see one person hurt. Kiddos Palladium. Job well done.
The stage was adorned with fog for most of the night. All lighting was from side stage or backlit. This makes it difficult for those trying to cover the show with photographs. The mood was set perfectly so I cannot judge the lighting for my selfish ways. It did create a soothing atmosphere when needed and then exploded with bounding lights when the breakdowns were commencing. Deep blues and reds washed over the stage during the most emotional moments.The vulnerability in Tewers voice was clear as day, and I swear I saw a few tears in the audience. The song “Forgotten” was a massive sing along when Tewer’s goes a cappella. The crowd was literally shaking the venue when they screamed back the lyrics in that breakdown. As someone new to the scene the whole atmosphere was cozy and accepting. Not just because you had no choice to be smushed into each other with no escape route. I saw fan after rowdy fan picking up people that were falling over. Myself knocked many people with my backpack while trying to maneuver around the venue for crowd photographs and everyone was very nice about taking a beating on my behalf.
For fans of music that hits hard both sonically and emotionally, The Plot In You is a must-see. Their journey from a heavy-hitting metalcore band to a genre-blurring powerhouse proves that evolution and emotional honesty go hand in hand in creating truly unforgettable experience. The whole vibe of the show was just perfect. I rated the concert a 10/10. That is no exaggeration. My hats off to every act. Each band as a stand alone should have you in attendance if they come to an area nearby you. The Plot in You has a forever fan in me. Do yourself a favor and BUY. THE. TICKET.