SKILLET
Skillet, Parx Casino Xcite Center, Bensalem, PA 2/27/2026
I’d been wanting to see Skillet for years, so when they announced a stop near Philadelphia at the Xcite Center, it instantly became a can’t miss show.
Opening the night was The Protest, an Indiana-based Christian rock band that set the tone early. They spoke about making music not for money or fame, but for faith, a message that echoed the heart of Skillet’s own mission. Midway through their set, they asked the crowd to raise their hands if they’d ever felt a little different before launching into “Welcome to the Freak Show,” instantly creating a sense of unity in the room. Before debuting their new song “Chains Made for Breaking,” they checked in with the crowd for permission, and then exploded into it. The lead singer whipped his hair, launched into huge jumps across the stage, and even dropped for mid-song pushups, bringing relentless energy that won over the audience.
When it was time for Skillet to take the stage, the energy shifted from anticipation to eruption. The band sprinted out, with drummer Jen Ledger immediately hyping up the crowd from her elevated drum platform. They opened with “Surviving the Game” from their 2022 album Dominion, and from the first note it was clear the night would be massive. CO₂ cannons fired repeatedly, sending icy bursts into the air and across the crowd, adding a dramatic visual punch that never felt overused.
Early in the set, frontman John Cooper brought out his legendary backpack-style smoke machine during the fourth song, blasting plumes into the audience and pulling everyone to their feet. It was theatrical, over-the-top, and perfectly Skillet.
One of the most visually striking moments came when cellist Tate Olsen appeared in a Phantom-inspired costume, adding a dramatic flair as he played. Meanwhile, the rest of the band performed from a raised stage that lifted and lowered throughout the set, creating a dynamic, multi-level production that kept the visuals constantly engaging.
The crowd reached full volume during their anthems. “Hero” had the entire venue shouting in unison, and the same electric energy surged through “Comatose” and “Monster.” Each song felt bigger than the last, driven by pounding drums, soaring vocals, and a crowd fully locked in.
They closed the night with “The Resistance,” a powerful and fitting finale that left the audience energized long after the final note rang out. For a band I had waited years to see, Skillet didn’t just meet expectations, they blew past them.
Shot and Written by Jonah van Bemmelen
