Motionless In White’s hometown Apocalypse Fest returned to Wilkes-Barre for its third year — and despite almost not happening, the band made sure the tradition lived on and gave their fans a night they’ll never forget. Mohegan Sun Arena even opened its doors throughout the week so MIW could rehearse, dialing in every detail as they prepared to play their Infamous album in full.
Fans lined up as early as 7 a.m. to secure barrier spots, and early merch entry made the night smoother for the diehards committed to holding their place in the pit. Themed drinks like Creature’s Kiss and Money Piece added a fun touch to the night.
Ovtlier kicked things off, bringing raw energy from Rochester, New York to Northeast PA. Their authentic sound with flashes of 80s–90s grunge instantly won over the crowd. Their set-ending collaboration with Chris Motionless, “Warriors,” gave fans a taste of what the night had in store.
Up next were UK standouts Holding Absence, performing one of their only U.S. shows on this run outside of Warped Tour Orlando. Their stage presence is unmatched, and Luke Woodland’s ability to shift from soaring melody to powerful screams had everyone locked in. Closing with their hit “Wilt,” they left fans with a new favorite if they weren’t already on the playlist.
Black Veil Brides followed — a perfect addition to a lineup built on long-time friendships and shared history with MIW. Their devoted fans packed in to witness a theatrical, high-energy performance full of charisma, crowd connection, and standout solo moments that showcased each member’s talent.
Motionless In White then took the stage, with Chris Motionless rising from an elevator seated on the iconic Infamous couch — a visual pulled straight from album artwork and past band photoshoots. Throughout the night, the band admitted how challenging the album is to perform front to back. Between fast-paced arrangements and lyric-dense songs, Chris even joked about stalling to catch his breath.
“AMERICA” was dedicated to hometown station 97.9X, the first to ever play the track, marking a major moment in the band’s early career. Chris also paid homage to local radio legend Mike Duffy in his shoutout.
Deep cuts like “The Divine Infection,” “Puppets 2 (The Rain),” and “Underdog” returned for the first time since 2013–2015, with “Underdog” dedicated to co-headliners Black Veil Brides. The title track “Infamous” was played for the first time since 2016, earning a huge reaction from longtime fans.
Newer fans got their moment too with songs like “Sign of Life,” plus a shortened version of Illenium’s “Nothing Ever After,” which MIW is featured on. Chris saved his biggest surprises for the hometown crowd — officially announcing the band’s new album and dropping the release date for their next single, “Afraid of the Dark,” arriving January 28th. The arena erupted.
The night closed with a full-circle celebration of MIW’s history, their dedicated fanbase, and the bond they’ve built with their hometown. And yes — they confirmed it: Apocalypse Fest will return in 2026.
See you next year, Apocalypse Fest.
Motionless In White Tour
Photos: Brittany Lynn / Rock Documented – Mohegan Arena PA
