Virgil and I sipped adult libations on Leesburg’s town green, serenaded by Caribbean Vibe’s steel drum cover of “Over the Rainbow” as we awaited the doors opening at the adjacent Tally Ho Theater. “Look at that line snaking around the block,” Virgil grimaced, “they should be here on the lawn with us enjoying beverages while we wait for Ballroom.”
Burn The Ballroom, specifically. Northern Virginia’s journeyman rock heroes who — through relentless effort, charismatic performances, and sheer determination — have carved their rightful place as hometown legends. Tonight, at the Tally Ho Theater, felt less like a concert and more like a triumphant family reunion.
Pre-show festivities had us whisked backstage into Tally Ho’s green room, a hidden inner sanctum buzzing with anticipation. Drummer Jack Ivins shared a laugh, detailing his recent flights: Texas today, Tennessee tomorrow, Richmond again soon.
Nearby, frontman Adriel Genet was casually enthusiastic, his ever-present smile betraying his genuine excitement. “It’s special playing here,” he remarked warmly, “I’m excited for tonight’s show.”
While we mingled, Max Muscato opened the evening at Tally Ho on June 7, delivering earnest, jam-infused narratives punctuated by conga drums and surprisingly heartfelt lyrics. Muscato’s charm shone brightest on his closing track, “Rebels,” though Virgil’s eyebrow arched dubiously at the congas throughout.
Run For Cover followed, unleashing a crowd-pleasing set heavy on nostalgia, tearing energetically through beloved ’90s and early-2000s anthems. The mashup of Linkin Park’s “Crawling” with the Cranberries’ immortal “Zombie” inspired a chorus of emotional singalongs, and a spirited rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone” transformed the venue into one collective voice. Their finale, Fall Out Boy’s “Sugar, We’re Goin Down,” had fans joyfully screaming, “Cock it and pull it,” as if it were 2005 all over again.
Then, Burn The Ballroom quietly took the stage, casually slipping into their set with understated ease. “Let’s give it up for those first two bands,” Adriel graciously called out before igniting their signature rock intensity. From the instantly captivating riffs of “Witch” to the powerful melodies of “Mayday,” the Ballroom wasted no time reaffirming their place as local rock royalty.
Watch the official lyric video for “Witch” by Burn the Ballroom on YouTube:
A fan had driven all the way from Minnesota just for this show, proof positive of Ballroom’s magnetic appeal. Their acoustic interlude showcased Adriel and Tuomas’s delicate musical rapport, deepening the night’s intimacy.
The chemistry between members was infectious. Fans clamored specifically for bassist Josh Fink’s return during the acoustic interlude, chanting, “We want Josh!” until he sheepishly stepped forward to gracious applause. Moments later, the chant shifted spontaneously to “Keytar!” in honor of Tuomas Easton, whose playful yet virtuosic keytar flourishes energized the crowd. “This,” Adriel laughed appreciatively, “is probably the first time in history anyone’s chanted for a keytar.”
Yet soon enough, they powered forward into favorites like “Psychopath” and “Calm Down,” showcasing their expansive dynamic range.
The night’s highlight, a rousing cover of Don Henley’s “The Boys of Summer”, had the entire theater moving, a joyous dance breaking out across the floor. Burn The Ballroom delivered each note as seasoned pros, proudly wearing their status as hometown heroes. Their relentless hard work, charisma, and genuine care for fans earned every ounce of tonight’s heartfelt reception. The band posted up at their merch table near the venue’s exit, personally greeting the fans and posing for selfies.
Tonight’s show felt as much like a family reunion as a rock concert.
Here are some photos of Burn The Ballroom and Max Muscato and Run for Cover all performing live at Tally Ho Theater on June 7, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Gerald Henry.
Max Muscato
Run for Cover
Burn the Ballroom
