Sleepless Empire Tour 2026: Lacuna Coil, Escape the Fate, Voww's

Phantom Light Media
5 days ago
3 min read

This warm spring Friday evening came with limited parking and a decent line outside the music hall. Leaving me hopeful for a packed show. This at the moment was not the case. Boise through a curve and fans showed up at doors Giving the opener a decent crowd to start the night off.

Vowws the Australian death pop duo came on stage and immediately requested the front lights be turned off. Telling me conditions were going to be dark. They were, but it fits their music. Dark industrial goth grunge rock full of distortion and uncommon sound. It had the venue feeling like an opium den like you'd see on TV slow and kinda other worldly. It was tough to hear the vocals at points, it was even mentioned at one point during their set by the band so I think there may have been some technical difficulties. Overall I didn't dislike it but I'm not sure where my opinion stands with this one.

Bringing a surge of energy with them was Escape the Fate here from Vegas. The fans where ready for the uptick in energy. Their stage presence and energy was a complete contrast to what we started with. They’re fast passed rock got the crowd dancing and moshing quickly. The crowd had grown some more from the start of the night which was pleasant to see. I felt like there was a few here for this band itself. The guitar solos from Matti Hoffman were absolutely amazing and stood out the most to me. Over all they had a great set I hope to catch them again in the future.

Our headliner tonight across the pond from Italy was Lacuna Coil on their Sleepless Empire Tour celebrating the release of their last album of the same name back in February 2025. This is a band I have been listening to since high school, so 25 years now. To say the least I was excited to see them live for the first time. Yes, in 25 years I had never seen them live and there has been ample opportunity. When Cristina Scabbia takes to the mic protect your crystal, She reaches this high notes in such a beautiful manner that a recording cant even mimic it. Paired with Andrea Ferro’s lower vocals its becomes goth metal match that's hard to find. Unfortunately, it wasn't a full band on stage. Through the tour the bassist has injured his leg. Although, he may not be out front in his make up with the others, he was still over by the monitor console tearing it up base with a stool to keep the weight off his leg. Something, I have come to watch for is an animated drummer. Richard Meiz is certainly animated in the back demonstrating the he is just as much a performer as he is a drummer. Interacting with the crowd as much as the vocalists. Making eye contact, smiling and making other faces letting there fans no they see them.

Overall this was an experience younger me longed for and older wishes it would have happened sooner. I will try not to miss them when they come through Boise, ID again. As for my opinion on Voww’s, upon finishing this review I have spent the better part of a day listening to their music. Their set last night did them no justice. What I have listened to through the day as been pretty incredible. So, I guess my opinion is I like them.