LIVE: RISE AGAINST – Winnipeg, MB, CAN – March 21, 2026

Venue: Burton Cummings Theatre

City: Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Date: March 21, 2026

Review and Photographs by: Alejandro Penner (https://www.alejandropenner.ca/)

Today is a special day—I’m heading to the Burton Cummings Theatre to catch a band I haven’t seen in a while: Rise Against. They’re in Winnipeg for a two-night stop, and from what I’ve seen, this isn’t the only city getting that treatment on the tour—so chances are, you might be able to catch them near you too. Rise Against has been with me since they dropped Siren Song of the Counter Culture back in 2004. I’ve seen them a handful of times over the years—honestly, probably one of the bands I’ve seen the most live—so it goes without saying I was excited to see them again and find out what’s changed. They’re touring behind their 2025 release Ricochet, their tenth studio album, and they didn’t come alone. Koyo and Destroy Boys joined them on this run. Koyo kicked things off, getting the sold-out crowd warmed up early. For a band from Stony Brook, New York, they had no problem connecting with a packed Winnipeg theatre. Destroy Boys followed and absolutely kept that momentum going—their set was high energy, raw, and exactly what you want leading into a headliner like Rise Against.

As the stage was being set, you could see the vision coming together: a small drum riser centered on the stage, backed by eight light stands with independently moving fixtures. Light strips lined both the floor and the front of the stage, and the theatre kept getting hazier and hazier. At first, it almost felt like overkill—but once the show kicked in, it all made sense. The haze and lighting worked together perfectly, creating a massive visual atmosphere that elevated everything. Three rugs—decked out in that signature Ricochet orange—were taped down across the stage, and even the drums had a translucent orange finish to match. As the house lights dropped one by one, the band walked out and launched straight into “Re-Education (Through Labor)” from Appeal to Reason. Absolute perfect opener—no notes. The setlist was stacked, and one of the coolest things about this tour is that they’ve been switching it up every night, which makes each show feel unique. We got a heavy dose of The Sufferer & The Witness—six songs in total, including “Under the Knife” as the second track of the night. That album has always been right up there for me—honestly tied with Appeal to Reason depending on the day—so hearing that many cuts from it was a great surprise. Fan favorites were everywhere: “Ready to Fall,” “Prayer of the Refugee” closing out the main set, and “Behind Closed Doors” showing up during the encore. Endgame got some love too, with “Help Is on the Way,” “Make It Stop (September’s Children)” opening the encore, and “Satellite” keeping the energy high.

Of course, Siren Song of the Counter Culture had to make an appearance. “Give It All” still feels like an anthem for my generation—it hit just as hard now as it did back then. And “Swing Life Away”… that one hit different this time. It’s always been a beautiful song, but hearing it now, years later, it feels heavier, more personal. You could feel that across the entire room. As for Ricochet, we got “Nod”—a bit surprising it was the only track from the new record, but understandable given how deep their catalog is. It would’ve been great to hear something like “Prizefighter” or “I Want It All,” but when you’ve got this many fan favorites, something’s always going to get left out. Sound-wise, the band still delivers. Yeah, age is starting to factor in a bit—they’re not bouncing around the stage like it’s 2006—but honestly, who is? The energy is still there where it matters: in the music. Tim McIlrath’s vocals were strong and cut clean through the mix. The guitars had that classic Rise Against crunch—sharp, aggressive, and driving everything forward without getting muddy. The drumming was tight, especially on faster tracks like “Ready to Fall” and “Under the Knife,” keeping the whole room locked in. The bass hit deep enough to feel in your chest, exactly how it should at a punk show. Visually, the lighting and haze amplified everything without overwhelming the sound. It was loud, clear, and punchy—exactly what you want from a band like this. All in all, if Rise Against comes through your city on this tour—or any tour—go. They’re still one of the most consistent live bands out there, delivering that perfect mix of rage, heart, and melody that’s kept me coming back for over 20 years. This Winnipeg stop felt special: a sold-out crowd, killer openers, and a setlist that reminded me exactly why they’ve stuck with me for so long. Can’t wait to see what they do next time.

SETLIST: Re-Education (Through Labor) – Under the Knife – Give It All – Help Is on the Way – The Good Left Undone – Nod – Ready to Fall – Satellite – Hero of War – Swing Life Away – Worth Dying For – Prayer of the Refugee – Make It Stop (September’s Children) – Behind Closed Doors – Savior

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries