Crystal Buchberger
SLEEP THEORY
w/ Nevertel // Stray View // RobenX
6/13/25 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
©Crystal Buchberger
The Sylvee buzzed with anticipation as Sleep Theory brought their highly anticipated ‘Afterglow’ tour to Madison, WI. Local radio station WJJO 94.1 parked their jeep in front of the building, advertising their immense influence on the city’s rock scene. As soon as the doors opened, the line of fans that wrapped around the block flooded into the venue, taking up nearly the entire pit. Die-hard fans stormed to the front of the stage, while parents with younger kids took their place in the back.
Before Sleep Theory took the stage, openers Robenx, Stray View, and Nevertel warmed up the crowd with explosive sets of their own.
RobenX delivered an emotionally charged performance that crackled with raw intensity from the very first note. Blending the hard edges of rock with the rhythmic pulse of hip-hop, he commanded the stage with a magnetic presence that had the crowd locked in. Each lyric hit like a confession, each beat like a battle cry.
Check out the RobenX concert photo gallery below:
Backed by a band that moved as a single, tight machine, the synergy on stage was undeniable, like watching a fire catch and spread, with each member contributing to make a rich, textured sound.
Stray View kicked things off with gritty riffs and a feral energy that electrified the room from the moment they hit the stage. With a punk-meets-metalcore bite, their sound was raw, urgent, and impossible to ignore. The band locked into tight, aggressive grooves that churned beneath soaring leads and breakdowns that rattled the floor.
Check out the Stray View concert photo gallery below:
Frontman Dave Escamilla was an absolute force, his fierce, unfiltered vocal delivery slashed through the noise like a blade, channeling every lyric with conviction and fire. He stalked the stage with purpose, commanding the crowd like a battle-scarred general rallying the front lines. From circle pits to shouted lyrics, Stray View, set the tone for what would be a hard-hitting night.
Nevertel followed with a polished, dynamic performance that showcased their razor-sharp fusion of electronic textures and alt-rock hooks. Their set was a masterclass in contrast: melodic yet heavy, sleek yet emotionally raw. Tracks like “Losing Faith” and “everything in my mind” sent waves of movement through the crowd, sparking sing-alongs and steady headbanging from front to back. Their stage presence was confident without being flashy, letting the music speak while still commanding attention.
Check out the Nevertel concert photo gallery below:
Each drop hit like a surge of adrenaline, each chorus swelling into anthemic highs that echoed through the venue. Nevertel’s infectious energy, tight musicianship, and genre-bending sound made it crystal clear: they’re not just rising in the alt-rock scene, they’re launching.
.When Sleep Theory finally took the stage, they wasted no time igniting the room. Cullen Moore’s vocals soared with a raw intensity that perfectly matched the band’s genre-bending blend of post-hardcore, alt-rock, and modern R&B. His stage presence was magnetic, commanding the audience with every note, every scream, and every whisper. The crowd’s enthusiasm transitioned from a giant mosh pit into waves of crowd surfers making their way to the front of the stage.
The setlist leaned heavily into their debut album Afterglow, which fans sang word-for-word. Tracks like ‘Fallout’ and ‘Static’ hit especially hard live, with thunderous drums and thick, distorted guitars rumbling through the venue. ‘Stuck In My Head,’ arguably the emotional peak of the night, silenced the room before exploding into a cathartic sing-along, proving just how deep Sleep Theory’s connection with their fans runs.
“This is our very first headline tour, and it’s unbelievable.” Cullen Moore said while he reminisced about how two years ago they were an opening band at this very venue. The Sylvee’s crisp acoustics made every detail punch: tight snares, bass lines you could feel in your chest, and ambient textures that gave the heavier moments space to breathe. The band’s chemistry was undeniable, feeding off each other and the crowd with seamless transitions and tight grooves.
Check out the Sleep Theory concert photo gallery below:
As the night drew to a close, it was evident that Sleep Theory had not only delivered a stellar performance but had also solidified their place in the rock scene. Their blend of genres, coupled with authentic storytelling, has set them apart as one of the most exciting acts in recent memory. The ‘Afterglow’ tour is more than just a series of concerts; it’s a testament to the band’s meteoric rise and their unwavering commitment to their craft.
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