The Beautiful Madness Tour

Southside Baptist Church, Ruskin, FL – March 6, 2026

The first night of The Beautiful Madness Tour brought Christian rock fans together for an intimate evening of music and ministry at Southside Baptist Church in Ruskin, Florida. Featuring Seventh Day Slumber, Magdalene Rose, and ALTIRA, the night delivered a powerful mix of hard rock, worship, and heartfelt testimony.

Admittedly, the drive out to Ruskin had me wondering what to expect. The venue itself was relatively small, and the room was about half full, but the audience that showed up was fully engaged and ready for a night of Christian rock.

For me personally, the evening carried a bit of a full-circle moment. My primary reason for attending was to support ALTIRA, the new band led by former Fireflight vocalist Dawn Michele. Fireflight’s music played a major role during my days hosting my old radio show Rawk ‘N Review, and their songs were staples on the program. Years ago, I even had the opportunity to bring Fireflight in for a concert as a promoter. While that show itself wasn’t exactly a financial win, the experience remains one of those memories that sticks with you. Seeing Dawn now step into a new chapter with ALTIRA felt like coming full circle.

It was also refreshing to see two female-led acts open the night, with Magdalene Rose and ALTIRA both taking the stage before Seventh Day Slumber.

Magdalene Rose

The evening began with Magdalene Rose, who brought an energetic and emotionally charged set to kick off the night. I had some familiarity with her through our mutual friend Grace Graber, who toured with Magdalene last year. (Readers can learn more about Magdalene’s story in our upcoming interview with her on Kingdom Builder.)

Magdalene — or “Maggie” as many know her — brings a unique presence to the Christian metal scene. Her music incorporates both melodic elements and aggressive screams while addressing themes like faith, struggle, and mental health. She’s also the wife of Blaise Rojas, son of Seventh Day Slumber frontman Joseph Rojas, and Blaise pulls double duty as drummer for both Magdalene Rose and Seventh Day Slumber during the tour.

Despite dealing with some tonsil issues that evening, Magdalene powered through her roughly 30-minute set with impressive energy and authenticity. Her style may lean toward the heavier side of the spectrum, but that’s exactly what allows her music to reach listeners who might not otherwise encounter Christian music.

ALTIRA

Next up was ALTIRA, the newest project from Dawn Michele.

During our interview earlier in the evening, Dawn shared the meaning behind the band’s name. ALTIRA comes from the Hebrew phrase “fear not,” reflecting the group’s mission to confront fear and encourage faith in a world filled with uncertainty. She goes deeper into the story behind the name in our full Kingdom Builder interview embedded below.

What made the performance even more special was learning that this was Dawn’s first time performing live since Fireflight stepped away from touring in 2020. That made this opening night performance feel even more meaningful.

ALTIRA’s set blended nostalgia with fresh material. The band performed several beloved Fireflight songs alongside their new music, including their debut single “Black Hole,” which released March 6. The audience also got an early preview of the remaining songs from ALTIRA’s upcoming EP.

The band itself is an exciting collaboration. Drummer Gina and guitarist Ash — both longtime Fireflight fans themselves — now find themselves sharing the stage with Dawn. Seeing two musicians who grew up inspired by Fireflight now performing alongside its former lead singer created a unique dynamic that added even more heart to the performance.

If the rest of the EP matches the strength of what we heard live, fans of Christian rock have a lot to look forward to in the coming months.

Seventh Day Slumber

Closing the night was Seventh Day Slumber, who delivered a set that balanced their signature rock sound with a strong worship focus.

Joseph Rojas and the band opened with a string of worship favorites, including:

  • Reckless Love

  • Lion of Judah

  • Waymaker

  • What a Beautiful Name

  • Lead Me to the Cross

Each song carried Seventh Day Slumber’s signature rock edge while maintaining the worshipful atmosphere the songs are known for.

Joseph also took time between songs to speak about gratitude and the importance of not becoming complacent in our blessings. He reminded the audience to stay focused on the One who provides the blessing, rather than the blessings themselves.

The band later shifted into some of their original rock material, including one of their most recognizable songs, “Caroline,” a powerful ballad originally released in 2005.

Another highlight of the set included “We Are the Broken,” which Joseph co-wrote with Michael Barnes, formerly of the band Red.

The night even included a fun moment when Blaze Rojas broke into a drum solo that unexpectedly turned into a playful rendition of the Macarena, drawing laughter and cheers from the crowd.

Later in the evening, Joseph opened up about the struggles the band has faced recently, including illness and the challenges of touring. He then turned the conversation toward global needs, speaking about his work supporting Hope International and reminding the audience that many people around the world face hardships far greater than our everyday struggles.

That reflection led naturally into the worship anthem “From the Inside Out,” which the band performed with a powerful rock arrangement.

Final Thoughts

From start to finish, the evening offered nearly three and a half hours of music, beginning at 6:30 PM and wrapping up close to 10 PM.

Even better, all of the artists stayed afterward to meet fans, sign merchandise, take photos, and talk with attendees. For a smaller venue, the night felt incredibly personal and relational.

For me, the night represented a meaningful return to a genre of music that I’ve always loved. Seeing Dawn Michele back on stage with ALTIRA — and witnessing the start of this new chapter — made the experience even more special.

If opening night is any indication, The Beautiful Madness Tour is off to a strong start.

Photo Credit: Mike Laxton, Lorelai Laxton, & Danielle Sanchez