Philadelphia's First Unitarian Church was the scene of a significant return on October 30, as influential hardcore band Ink & Dagger performed their first concert in nearly 15 years. The highly anticipated show, the first of a three-night Halloween weekend engagement, featured Geoff Rickly of the band Thursday on lead vocals.
Rickly stepped into the role previously held by the late Sean Patrick McCabe, reprising a position he has filled at past reunions. The event drew a capacity crowd, signaling a powerful resurgence for the cult-favorite band.
Key Takeaways
- Ink & Dagger performed their first live show in almost 15 years on October 30, 2025, in Philadelphia.
- Geoff Rickly, frontman for the band Thursday, provided lead vocals for the performance.
- The concert was the first of a three-show series over Halloween weekend, with support from Paint It Black, Deadguy, and Soul Glo.
- The reunion has generated significant attention within the punk and hardcore communities, with fan-shot footage capturing the event's high energy.
An Explosive Return to the Stage
The atmosphere inside the First Unitarian Church was electric as Ink & Dagger launched into their set. For many in attendance, it was the first opportunity to see the band live, while for longtime fans, it was a moment nearly a decade and a half in the making. The performance marked a powerful continuation of the band's legacy, which has remained influential despite their long absence from the stage.
Geoff Rickly’s vocal performance was a focal point of the evening. He brought a familiar intensity to the stage, honoring the memory and style of original vocalist Sean Patrick McCabe while infusing the songs with his own distinct energy. Fan-recorded videos that quickly circulated online captured the raw power of the performance, showing a packed room fully engaged with the band's return.
Among those present was Anthony Green of the band Circa Survive, who described the experience in an Instagram story as "tonight was really special." His sentiment echoed the feelings of many who witnessed the comeback firsthand.
The Legacy of Ink & Dagger
Formed in Philadelphia in 1995, Ink & Dagger carved out a unique space in the hardcore scene with their theatricality, vampire-themed aesthetic, and experimental sound. They released two full-length albums, The Fine Art of Original Sin (1998) and a self-titled album in 1999, before disbanding. Their original vocalist, Sean Patrick McCabe, passed away in 2000, cementing the band's status as a short-lived but impactful project.
A Curated Weekend of Hardcore
The reunion show was not just a standalone event but the kickoff for a carefully curated weekend of music. Each of the three nights features a different, highly respected opening act, making the series a major event for the East Coast hardcore scene.
Night One: Paint It Black
The first night featured fellow Philadelphia hardcore veterans Paint It Black. Their performance set a high-energy tone for the evening, warming up the crowd with their fast-paced and politically charged punk rock. As a band with deep roots in the same city, their inclusion was a fitting start to the weekend.
Upcoming Support
The excitement is set to continue through the weekend with two more acclaimed bands:
- October 31: The influential and recently reunited metalcore pioneers Deadguy are scheduled to open.
- November 1: The series will conclude with an opening set from the critically acclaimed contemporary Philadelphia band Soul Glo.
This lineup demonstrates a connection between different eras of hardcore and punk, bridging the gap between foundational acts and the genre's current innovators. Tickets for the remaining shows are still available.
A History of Reunions
This is not the first time Ink & Dagger has reunited for special performances since their initial split. The band previously played reunion shows around 2010, which also featured Geoff Rickly on vocals. This 2025 series, however, marks their longest period of inactivity between performances.
The Enduring Influence of the Band
The significant turnout and online buzz surrounding the show highlight Ink & Dagger's lasting impact. Despite a relatively brief initial run, their willingness to experiment with sound and image left a permanent mark on the hardcore and post-hardcore genres. Their blend of aggression, melody, and conceptual art continues to inspire new generations of musicians.
The decision to have Geoff Rickly front the band has been widely accepted by fans. His own band, Thursday, rose to prominence in the post-hardcore scene that Ink & Dagger helped shape, making him a natural and respectful choice to carry the vocal duties. His involvement connects two important branches of the genre's family tree.
"Tonight was really special."
Beyond the Stage
Interest in the band extends beyond their live performances. In a related development, Ink & Dagger's Don Devore was recently featured as a guest on The First Ever Podcast, hosted by Jeremy Bolm of Touché Amoré. Devore, who was also active with the reunited band Frail this year, discussed his musical history and experiences in the scene, providing further context for the reunion's significance.
As the band prepares for two more nights of performances, the Philadelphia reunion has already solidified its place as one of the most memorable hardcore events of the year. It serves as a testament to the timeless power of their music and the dedicated community that has kept their spirit alive for nearly 15 years.