Keith Wallen Brings the Dream to Asbury Park
Keith Wallen brought his solo tour to House of Independents in Asbury Park this week, and it was everything you’d want from a headliner stepping into his own spotlight—personal, powerful, and packed with heart.
The show kicked off with Corevalay, who came out swinging and didn’t let up. Their set was tight, loud, and full of the kind of urgency that makes you pay attention. Hollow Heroes followed and honestly, they just owned it. Their latest single “Liar” sounded massive live, and the crowd got an early listen to their then-unreleased track “Drift,” which just dropped today, August 1st. The vocals, pacing, their whole vibe brought an extra edge to the stage, locking in a performance that felt both polished and intense. Then came Levels, who brought their signature blend of melodic intensity and atmospheric punch. Their live set doesn’t just replicate their recordings. It hits with even more force and energy, expanding upon the emotion and intensity of each song.
And then it was time for the main event … Mr. Keith Wallen.
If you only know him as the guitarist from Breaking Benjamin, his solo show might catch you off guard … in the best way. He’s not just a talented player; he’s a genuinely engaging frontman who clearly loves doing this. You could feel it in the way he joked with the crowd, shared stories between songs, and made everyone in the room feel part of something. At one point, he went to start the wrong song mixing up “Crows” and “Crown of Thorns” on the setlist, and a fan in the front row (who had been to ten of his shows already) immediately called it out. He cracked up, gave her a nod, and rolled with it. It was one of those little unscripted moments that reminds you why live music matters.
Keith’s vocals were full of emotion layered over alt-rock riffs with hints of synth and a gritty, moody vibe. It was a mix of heart and edge that hit just right live. The musicianship—both from Keith and his band—was tight and expressive, with every part feeling dialed in and purposeful. And Keith’s cover of Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You” had everyone singing their hearts out that night!
Keith said this solo project has been a dream of his, and watching him up there—comfortable, connected, and clearly having a blast—it felt like we were witnessing a dream being lived out right here within the Asbury Park music scene!
Follow Keith on socials and check out his stellar music here! Download our playlist of the bands who played that night!
