I PREVAIL LIVE!! | LENOVO CENTER
Coverage by Chris Sturk
A band stepping into a new chapter with heart, grit, and undeniable resilience
I Prevail took the stage at the Lenovo Center on March 17 as direct support for Three Days Grace, and their performance carried a different kind of weight — the kind that comes from a band rebuilding itself in real time. Known for their blend of soaring, emotional melodies and raw, guttural aggression, I Prevail has always thrived on contrast. But this tour marks the beginning of a new era, one without founding member and lead vocalist Brian Burkheiser, whose departure after a decade left a noticeable void for longtime fans.
Having seen the band multiple times over the years — including their explosive headlining show at Coastal Credit Union Music Park — I felt that absence immediately. Brian’s presence, both vocally and emotionally, was a cornerstone of their identity. But what struck me just as quickly was how determined the band was to honor their past while forging ahead.
Eric Vanlerberghe, now carrying the full weight of the frontman role, stepped into that challenge with everything he had. He moved across the stage with purpose, pouring every ounce of energy into the performance. You could see him working not just to deliver the songs, but to connect — to bridge the gap fans were feeling, to reassure them through sheer passion that I Prevail is still I Prevail.
And honestly, he did a damn good job.
The band’s dynamic felt different, yes, but not diminished. It felt like a group of friends tightening their grip on each other, choosing to push forward rather than retreat. The chemistry was still there. The fire was still there — literally, at one point, when unexpected flame cannons shot up and jolted the entire arena. The lighting rig added another layer of intensity, bathing the stage in pulses of color that matched the emotional swings of their set.
Musically, they sounded solid. Some songs naturally hit differently without Brian’s signature tone, but the band compensated with heart and conviction. They weren’t trying to replicate the past; they were embracing the present. And the crowd responded to that honesty.
What I appreciated most was the sense of transition — not denial, not forced optimism, but genuine evolution. Change is hard for any band, especially one built on dual‑vocal chemistry. But I Prevail handled it with maturity and unity. You could feel that they’re still figuring out this new identity, but they’re doing it together, and they’re doing it with intention.
And Brian? He’s clearly stepping into his own new chapter too. Imagining a future where both versions of this musical family tour together — each with their own sound, their own stories — would be something special.
I Prevail is different now, but they’re also the same. They’re still a band that channels pain, hope, anger, and release into something powerful. They’re still a band that gives everything on stage. And they’re still a band worth following as they write the next part of their story.
