The Broken Mirror Tour took Raleigh by storm on Friday May 8th 2026. The venue of choice, The Ritz in Raleigh North Carolina. Architects is known to be one of the most impacting bands in the metal scene. Over the years, their melodic sounds, heavy breakdowns and emotional lyrics have gone through some of the most intense evolutions in modern metal. Front man Sam Carter's vocals are raw, moving and let's not forget to mention the iconic “Blegh” that will forever carryweight to both fans and musicians for ages to come.
As Holywatr finished their set it came time for Architects to take the stage and meet the crowd who gathered hours in advance for the very moment. The lights dimmed and house music lowered sending cue it was time for the main act. Anticipation grew as the members entered the stage and stood in the center, Sam Carter. The lights dimmed and glowed creating a silhouette at the very spot Sam stood as Elegy began to play. With arms stretched out the lyrics began to ring out from both Sam and the crowd. “I've done enough to figure out that nobody can take this feelin’ I'm lookin’ up, it's clear now. I suffered but it gave me meaning…” A moment that caught your breath. The fans surged and sang wholeheartedly along with Sam as the lyrics sounded throughout the entire venue and then…. THE DROP. The crowd locked in and in that moment it wasn't just the Architects experience, it was everyone's experience.
As a fan myself, I found myself looking back and forth from the stage to those just behind the barricade. A year ago, I was in that very spot in Charlotte, North Carolina seeing and experiencing my favorite band (Architects) for the first time live and in person. I understood the smiles and the expressions that existed at that very moment. A year later, here I stood in the photopit capturing and reviewing the very same band who joined me through my daily life. Surreal and full circle.
As the night progressed, the energy only continued to elevate. Sam grinned from ear to ear as fans became one with Architects. The interactions were nothing shy of wholesome. The more one gave the more the other matched. We were told by song two, to watch your heads because crowd surfing was expected to surge and for us we were prepared for what may come next!
A takeaway of the night was the shared stage during “Brain Dead” and original collaboration with House or Protection. Same welcomed Holywatr's Patrick to the stage. The crowd erupted as the duo did absolute justice to the heavy breakdown. We learned shortly after the song that Patrick was given the nickname of “Peaches” and the story behind it. Patrick had come and presented peaches to the guys and at first they were taken back by an entire bag of peaches. Sam said those were the best peaches they ever had and from then on Patrick became “Peaches”. I love the family like bonds and stories we get to hear during the shows while groups are on tour. You gain those insights of connecting and over bonding during the touring days.
When you attend an Architects concert you aren't simply attending, you are part of the entire experience. Regardless if you are a residing fan of years past or a new discovery the setlist never fails to tailor to every major era of Architects discography. We began the night with “Elegy” and made our ways through the years of emotions, trials and growth. We ended with the ever iconic anthem “Animals”... the perfect ending. An entire night that can only be explained as surreal was an experience like no other.
Songs to dive into: Landmines, Elegy, When We Were Young, Impermanence and Meteor.
GALLERY
