Feature: Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm 20th Anniversary Tour

Tabernacle – Atlanta, Georgia
July 8, 2026

The Tabernacle is one of my favorite venues to catch a show. The acoustics are outstanding, the room has character, and it always feels like an event when you walk in. I made the trip with two of my regular concert buddies, Brian Tanguay and Steve Morse, which made a great night even better.

This was my first time seeing all three bands live, and each one gave me something to remember.

Heal The Hurt

I had interviewed Trevor Tyson about a year ago, and I had also met him at a Cleansing of the Temple and With Blood Comes Cleansing show in Greenville, South Carolina, so it was great to finally see Heal The Hurt live. The Atlanta-based band had a short opening set, but they made the most of every minute. This was a big opportunity for an up-and-coming band, and they absolutely rose to it.

Trevor spoke between songs about how people are loved and not alone. He is clearly passionate about mental health, encouragement, and giving hope to people who may feel like they have none. That message came through just as strongly as the music. The band brought intensity, heart, and purpose to the stage, and it connected. My friends even said they preferred Heal The Hurt over Wolves at the Gate on this particular night, which says a lot considering the level of band they were opening for.

Wolves at the Gate

Wolves at the Gate continue to set a high bar for Christian metalcore when it comes to writing quality music, putting on a strong live show, and openly sharing Jesus. Their mix of screams and clean vocals works extremely well, and the songs hit with both heaviness and melody. The frontman was constantly moving around the stage and interacting with the crowd, which kept the set lively from start to finish. They played with the confidence and sharpness you would expect from a veteran band, and they kept the energy climbing.

Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm

This was my first time seeing Flyleaf, and getting to see them with Lacey Sturm made it even more special. Since Flyleaf had not toured with Lacey since 2012, it is no surprise this anniversary run has been selling out quickly. With the band celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album, there was a real sense that the crowd knew they were witnessing something special, especially with Atlanta being the first date of the tour.

The set opened in memorable fashion. Before the band took the stage, “The Red” by Chevelle blasted through the PA at full volume while the stage stayed pitch black. Lacey later explained that their sound engineer, Rich Caldwell, who passed away, always used that song during soundcheck, so this was their tribute to him. It was a meaningful way to begin the night and gave the opening moments even more weight.

Flyleaf is one of those bands that truly brings together all kinds of people. Looking around the packed venue, you saw younger fans, older fans, longtime listeners, and people clearly seeing the band for the first time. The band’s stage presence was commanding, and Lacey still has that ability to pull people in with both intensity and sincerity.

One of the biggest moments of the night was hearing “This Close” played live for the first time ever, which made this opening date of the 20th anniversary tour even more memorable. Lacey took time to speak to the crowd about hope, reminding everyone that they are loved and not alone. It never felt forced. She came across as genuine and deeply thankful for the people who have supported this band for so many years.

She also spoke about being grateful that Sameer Bhattacharya was able to be there after recovering from a horrific motorcycle accident. Moments like that gave the set a personal side beyond just nostalgia. Meanwhile, bassist Pat Seals was all over the stage, clearly having a blast, and the whole band played with the kind of chemistry you want from a reunion like this.

Crowd favorites like “All Around Me,” “I’m So Sick,” and “Fully Alive” had the room moving, while songs like “Cassie” and “Sorrow” had fans singing every word. It was a reminder of just how strong Flyleaf’s catalog is and why this reunion has meant so much to so many people.

After the show, it was great seeing Cindy Blankenship, aka The Mothership, which has become a familiar and welcome part of these concert nights. I had seen her after the Disciple and Demon Hunter shows earlier this year too, so it was a fitting way to wrap up another memorable night.