Breaking Benjamin and Chevelle Rocked the MAC as Co-headliners, Delivering an Unforgettable Show

September 22, 2026 Robert Chadwick Concert Reviews Comments Off

REVIEW BY DAVID TAYLOR AND PHOTOS BY PAM WHISENHUNT | Go Venue Magazine

On Sunday, September 20, 2026, thousands of people packed the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa to see two legends of 2000s modern rock, Breaking Benjamin and Chevelle, performed their extensive catalog of songs. Both bands have not played this venue since 2007, so it was a throwback for the ages. It was also nice to see a concert back at the MAC since my last one there was in October of 2016. Couldn’t ask for a better night for live music.

Kami Kehoe from Los Angeles opened the show. She came all the way from the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, KY, which was quite a drive, so it was kinda a rush for her to set the equipment on stage. But they showed up to warm the crowd up and that’s what they did. Turns out, she is also a drummer and was excellent behind the kit. I’m always here for more women in rock music and I’m glad to see that continue. There is a ton of potential for her and getting to open up for a band like Breaking Benjamin is one of those stepping stones of making it big. Be sure to check out her latest album, Love is a Weapon.

Starset was up next. This was my fifth time seeing these guys, but it hasn’t been since 2018 and I feel like so much has changed for the group. I love that the band still wears astronaut costumes. They leveled up production, added a member or two, singer Dustin Bates was in a box for the first couple of songs. It was incredible. The crowd was really impressed. They deserve to headline arenas. I hope with their upcoming album, they can fulfill that dream because their production deserves it. Dustin Bates continues to sound incredible vocally, singing and screaming. Towards the end of the set while shouting out the acts on the tour, he jokingly said, “Make some noise for 311!” He also kept calling the crowd “Omaha”, which you got to love. It sounds like a new album is coming soon, led by singles, “Paradoxic” and “Annihilation”, so keep an eye for that.

Chevelle was the direct support for the night. This was my fourth time seeing them live, but my first seeing them in an arena. And they crushed it. They were so tight rhythmically. The audience was so enthusiastic for them, hearing loud cheers when Pete Loeffler would break into a guitar solo. Just hearing those older songs like “The Clincher” or “Send the Pain Below” transported me to when they played here in 2007. It must have been the same feeling nearly twenty years ago. I’m so glad I got to see them in an arena this time around because it’s much better than seeing them play in a smaller sized venue because of the thick heavy sound they produce. Check out their latest album that came out last year, Bright as Blasphemy.

Breaking Benjamin was ready to melt the crowd’s faces. This was my eighth time seeing them and they never disappoint. They had this opening video of a Microsoft desktop opening up LimeWire and downloading Breaking Benjamin songs and then eventually getting a virus. It was pretty amusing and fun. The band just nails every note they play. The crowd was so loud, singing all the lyrics to their big songs. I was curious about their new drummer, Brian Medeiros, but he crushed it behind the kit. Benjamin Burnely, who had a great vocal performance, was very appreciative of the fans, saying they’re lifeblood of the band. They seem to love what they do and I’m glad to see them play at this level. I really hope we get that seventh album very soon. And I think Mid-America Center should host more concerts. It was a good test run and let’s keep on bringing more acts to fill that arena.