The post-grunge and hard rock boom of the 2000s gave rise to some of the biggest names in rock, ushering in a new wave of sound that resonated with fans worldwide. Many of these bands wrote songs about personal struggles—drinking, drugs, failed romances, and fighting through hardships—all tied together with powerful guitar lines and raw, emotional vocals. This genre of music has been lovingly dubbed “divorced dad rock,” and two fan favorites from this subgenre, Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace, have joined forces for a co-headlining tour that recently stopped at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA. Fans packed the venue, and whether or not they were divorced dads, everyone was there to sing their hearts out and connect with the music that has been a soundtrack to their lives for decades.

Opening the night was a newer band, Return to Dust, hailing from Los Angeles. These local rockers have been making waves in the club scene, and it was exciting to see them take the stage on such a major tour. Return to Dust brings back the 90s grunge sound with a modern twist, featuring both guitarist Matty Bielawski and bassist Graham Stanush trading off vocal duties. Their droning, hypnotic vocal styles paired perfectly with the fuzz-laden guitar lines shared by Bielawski and fellow guitarist Sebastian Gonzalez. Drummer London Hudson anchored the band with a powerful yet unhurried groove, allowing the music to flow naturally. Their setlist included tracks like “Black Road,” “Shine,” “Face Down,” “Downfall,” “Bored,” “Belly Up,” “Cellophane,” and “When You Look at Me.” Drawing inspiration from grunge legends like Alice in Chains, Return to Dust is putting their own stamp on the genre, and it will be exciting to see where they go from here.

Next up was the first of the co-headliners, Three Days Grace, and fans were thrilled to see original vocalist Adam Gontier back with the band after an 11-year hiatus. Instead of parting ways with longtime vocalist Matt Walst, the band took a unique approach by keeping both Gontier and Walst on vocal duties. This dual-frontman setup transformed the live experience, with Gontier leading songs from his era and Walst taking the lead on tracks from his tenure. The two vocalists often traded lines or harmonized, showcasing their individual strengths while playing to the crowd with charisma and energy.

The band opened with “Animal I Have Become,” driven by Brad Walst’s pulse-pounding bassline, which immediately had the crowd erupting in excitement. Guitarist Barry Stock delivered some of the most iconic riffs of the 2000s rock scene, with fans air-guitaring along in their seats. Drummer Neil Sanderson added his signature grooves and melodies, elevating the band’s sound and making their songs stand out.

Three Days Grace delivered a setlist spanning their entire discography, including hits like “So Called Life,” “Break,” “Home,” “The Mountain,” “Mayday,” “Pain,” “Kill Me Fast,” “I Hate Everything About You,” “Time of Dying,” “Apologies,” “Rooster,” “I Am Machine,” “The Good Life,” “Painkiller,” “Never Too Late,” and “Riot.” The energy never waned, and the crowd was left wanting more, proving that Three Days Grace continues to write hit after hit.

Finally, it was time for Breaking Benjamin to take the stage. Opening with “Awaken,” the band immediately set the tone for an emotional and cathartic performance. Frontman Benjamin Burnley captivated the audience with his ability to seamlessly switch between clean, passionate vocals and guttural growls that roared across the arena. His lyrics, filled with pain and resilience, resonated deeply with the crowd, creating a shared emotional release.

Guitarists Jasen Rauch and Keith Wallen kept the music heavy and emotionally charged, their riffs weaving into the audience’s collective soul and connecting with the darker parts of their personalities. Bassist Aaron Bruch and drummer Shaun Foist provided a powerful rhythm section, giving fans the perfect backdrop to headbang and mosh. This wasn’t just a concert—it was a spiritual connection through music.

Breaking Benjamin kept the energy high throughout their set, performing fan favorites like “Follow,” “Blow Me Away,” “So Cold,” “You,” “Evil Angel,” “Failure,” “Red Cold River,” “Blood,” “Dear Agony,” “Dance With The Devil,” “Polyamorous,” “Without You,” “Until the End,” “Breath,” “I Will Not Bow,” and closing with their iconic hit, “The Diary of Jane.” As the final notes rang out and the lights came up, the crowd let out a collective sigh, having experienced an emotional release they didn’t know they needed.

While the term “divorced dad rock” may be tongue-in-cheek, the music of Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin transcends labels, connecting with fans of all ages and backgrounds. Three Days Grace delivered a high-energy performance that had the crowd rocking out, while Breaking Benjamin tapped into something deeper, creating a shared emotional experience.

This co-headlining tour is nearing its end, but the impact of these performances will linger long after the final show. Here’s hoping these two powerhouse bands hit the road together again in 2026—because this is a tour no rock fan should miss.