- NONPOINT w/ Aurorawave + Boy Hits Car
- 12/30/2025 - Majestic Theater - Madison WI
- © Justin Nuoffer
On a cold and snowy Monday night in Wisconsin’s capital city, Nonpoint brought their Nu-Metal Nu-Year tour to the Majestic Theater. With streetlights glowing through the snowfall, fans lined the sidewalk early, eager to get inside and claim a prime spot. Restaurants and bars along King Street were bustling the night before New Year’s Eve, and this performance played a major role in that energy.
The Majestic Theater is nestled within a classic arcade-style block of buildings, a notable architectural feature from the era in which it was built. Just up the block, the state capitol glowed through dense fog and blowing snow. The theater’s façade stood out in deep red and gold, with a massive marquee hanging above the entrance. The former vaudeville theater carries a rich performance history, and this night was no exception. The venue itself is tiered into four distinct viewing levels. The main floor sits at the bottom, with the stage straight ahead and only a few feet off the ground. The hardwood stage was stained, dented, and worn, a perfect reflection of the venue’s storied life.
First up for the evening were young up-and-comers Aurorawave, who are no strangers to Wisconsin. Having performed in the state multiple times this year, they have steadily built a strong following across the Midwest. Opening with “Inferno” and “Turn the Page,” the genre-bending band lit the Majestic Theater on fire. With minimal lighting at the start, strobes gradually illuminated the stage as the band’s silhouettes moved with pure energy. Using Slipknot’s “Duality” as an intro into “Boiling Point,” the small main floor erupted into a massive circle pit.
Their nu-metal sound blended modern heaviness with reggae-inspired vocals, creating a powerful impact. The remainder of the set stayed electric as they tore through “Throwing Shade,” “Villain,” and “Tibetan Sky Burial” from their 2025 release, Monuments. Fans were fully invested, with bodies moving to every note.
Check out the Aurorawave concert photo gallery here:
Frontman Nathan Aurora barked between songs, hyping the crowd and urging them to let loose. His call to release everything during “Kindness” stood out, as he leaned over the front edge of the stage to engage the barricade-free crowd. It was difficult not to be impressed with Aurorawave. Their sound is unique, and their stage presence is intense.
Southern California outfit Boy Hits Car followed, bringing their brand of metal known as “Lovecore” to the Wisconsin stage. The band were set up quickly and ready to go, and once the switch flipped, they launched straight into “The Rebirth.” Since 1993, Boy Hits Car has delivered overwhelming positivity paired with unrestrained intensity. Their fiery introduction to the Madison audience served as a clear warning that movement and full immersion were mandatory. That message continued with “Move With Me” and “As I Watch the Sun Fuck the Ocean.” Frontman Cregg Rondell showcased an impressive vocal range, hitting every peak with power and control. Adding to the spectacle was his use of a twelve-string guitar mounted behind his microphone, which added an Indian and Middle Eastern influence to the heavy rock sound pouring from the stage.
The middle portion of the set was fueled by passion and mosh pit chaos. The floor filled with younger fans raging, while longtime listeners surrounded the pit. Tracks like “The Extremist” and “Man Without Skin” highlighted the band’s ability to control the crowd through breakdowns and sudden eruptions. A standout moment came with “Lovefurypassionenergy” from the WWF Forceable Entry soundtrack, instantly recognized by wrestling fans, who erupted in response.
Check out the Boy Hits Car concert photo gallery here:
Guitarist Mike Bartak held down the left side of the stage, drummer Erik Peterson anchored the center behind Rondell, and bassist Bill Gower bounced across the right. As a unit, the band was tight and cohesive, creating a powerful live dynamic. With a forty-five-minute set, they packed in fan favorites before closing with “I’m a Cloud” and “Escape the World.” Performing a large portion of their self-titled album gave longtime fans a reason to feel young again. The execution was sharp and absolutely worth celebrating.
Nonpoint is the gift that keeps on giving. They are one of the most consistent bands of the past twenty-plus years. With ten albums under their belts, they have a deep catalog to pull from. Opening with “Mindtrip” and “What a Day” from their debut release Statement, a monumental eruption of joy swept through the Majestic Theater.
Constant bursts of lighting paired with frontman Elias Soriano’s dreadlocks flying across the front of the stage created a visually captivating scene. His clean vocals and raspy, intense screams were perfectly suited for the medley of “Victim,” “Endure,” and “Back Up.” Fans filled every nook and cranny of the venue, singing and moving. The general admission floor in front of the famed stage became one massive mosh pit. Not a single person stood still. Nonpoint was not there to play around. They came to kick ass and leave boot marks behind.
This night was about the songs that define Nonpoint. Fast, heavy, and undeniably special. Early in the set, they unleashed “Breaking Skin,” “Chaos and Earthquakes,” and “Your Signs.” Soriano spoke earnestly about the song’s impact and the role local radio station WJJO played in supporting it. The crowd responded with thunderous applause as the house lights fully illuminated smiling faces jumping in unison.
With guitarists Rasheed Thomas and Jaysin Zeilstra anchoring each side of the stage, riff after riff poured into the room. The energy reached such a level that crowd surfers began appearing in rapid succession during “Broken Bones.” With no barricade at the front, fans worked together to push surfers back safely, the pit carrying them along to avoid anyone getting hurt, including children near the edge of the stage. One fan even made it onto the stage to sing with Soriano before leaping back into the raised arms of the crowd. A Nonpoint show has always been a family affair, and everyone is welcome.
The back half of the set explored a wider range of the band’s sound. “Rabia,” performed entirely in Spanish, featured distinctive guitar textures and a slow-burning build. Soriano’s vocals hovered and moaned over the arrangement as clapping and screams from the Madison crowd continued to rise. The song faded naturally as Soriano addressed the audience once more, thanking them before introducing the band’s beloved cover of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.”
From there, the final run of songs arrived quickly. The pace of the show made time seem compressed. Bassist Adam Woloszyn rumbled the walls and floors all night, moving across the stage and interacting constantly with drummer and co-founder Robb Rivera. Rivera’s kit sat atop a small riser, angled to the left so his movements were fully visible. Every strike of the drumhead could be seen clearly, and he frequently stood up to engage with fans and bandmates. A stuffed animal from The Muppet Show was strapped to his kit, a perfect reflection of Rivera’s wild personality.
Closing moments included the single “Ruthless,” with its simple chorus shouted loudly by the crowd at every opportunity. Fans in the balcony danced and headbanged, their foot stomps audible throughout the room. Nonpoint then tore through “Buscándome” and “Alive and Kicking” before ending the night with one of their most celebrated tracks on WJJO, “Bullet with a Name.” Though the band had retired the song for a time due to real-world events, the power of its lyrics and message ultimately brought it back to the setlist. With that, Nonpoint exited the stage after delivering a performance full of joy, intensity, and meaning.
Check out the Nonpoint concert photo gallery here:
The hardest part of the night was leaving. The show was incredible. Nonpoint remains deeply beloved in Madison and across the state. The sellouts and excitement surrounding this short run of shows were at an all-time high. Merchandise lines stretched along the walls as fans lingered, unwilling to let the night end. The bar filled quickly while the front hall buzzed with people gathering their things, calling rides, and waiting for friends. The energy remained electric. If there is one takeaway, it is the enduring love for this band and their continued success while others have faded. Nonpoint delivers time after time and remains a must-see live act.
Catch Nonpoint on the Road…
