Went to my first show in 2023 last weekend! It wasn't even on my list, but I was free last friday night and the show was local so figured why not? This was a metalcore/death metal show. There were a few local NJ bands opening things up that I missed, but got there in time to see Nora who I really wasnt into. The songs just didn't seem to go anywhere. Meh.
Next up was Bleeding Through. This is where the show got really really wild. I mean, the singer starts by saying "I want violence" and boy did he get it. The mosh pit was similar to what I come across on social media these days with the dudes swinging their arms like crazy and doing jump kicks. It's really fun to watch this type of pit, but not so much fun being right on the side of the pit. Luckily for me, there was a guy in a wheel chair next to me who basically protected me. Since anytime a guy swinging his arms came near, he would see the guy in the wheel chair and stop. But this guy in the wheel chair was also going wild. He got that wheel chair to bounce whenever the singer would say jump. His arms was out pushing people. Guy was amazing really. Anyway, back to the violence, I think I counted 5 people get kicked out. While I didn't see what caused these people to get out, I did see all of them fighting hard against security including one guy being choked out and dragged. That that person got dragged out which meant a few guards had to help, a big fight broke out in the pit which took a few minutes before more security could come. It was just a really violent and kind of dangerous pit for this set. I don't think I've ever seen security so active during a set before. I also thought the band was pretty good, very aggressive and heavy music, but had a bit of a melodic part to it that was nice and I found them pretty enjoyable when I was able to focus on them and not the pit in front of me.
The headliner was God Forbid who, also from NJ, had broken up like 12 years ago and were doing a few reunion shows. I thought they were OK. Some good songs, but maybe not really my style. The crowd was pretty good for them, but I moved back and away from the pit. It definitely didn't seem as crazy from afar, but it was an active crowd for them. This show went pretty late. I ended up leaving at 11:45 and they didn't even go into the encore yet (apparently they did 3 more songs). Also, the show was $30 flat at the door and got a ticket stub. Honestly can't complain to see a concert for that price these days. I was very glad I showed up.
God Forbid, Bleeding Through, & Nora LIVE @ Starland Ballroom NJ 1/6/23Here's the latest for the rest of my tentative concert schedule, but honestly, I'm starting to think I may not attend the next two shows coming up at Wellmont, but it's going to feel like a long 3 weeks before the next show for me and even longer if I don't go to that one.
January 31st - Anthrax, Black Label Society & Exodus @ Wellmont Theater, Montclair NJ
February 2nd - Alter Bridge & Mammoth WVH @ Wellmont Theater, Montclair NJ
February 10th - Def Leppard & Motley Crue @ Etess Arena, Atlantic City NJ
February 11th - Parkway Drive & Memphis May Fire @ Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ
February 21st - The Winery Dogs @ Sony Hall, New York City NY
February 23rd - Powerwolf @ Palladium Times Square, New York City NY
March 4th - Kings of Thrash @ Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ
March 17th - Muse & Evanescence @ Madison Square Garden, New York City NY
March 18th - Steel Panther & Crobot @ Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ
March 20th - Nemophila @ Gramercy Theater, New York City NY
April 1st - Polyphia @ Starland Ballroom, Sayreville NJ
April 28th - Breaking Benjamin, Falling In Reverse, The Pretty Reckless, Beartooth, Dorothy @ Prudential Center, Newark NJ
April 30th - Spiritbox, After the Burial & Intervals @ Irving Plaza, New York City NY
May 8th - VV @ Irving Plaza, New York City NY
May 11th - Haken & Arch Echo @ New York City NY
May 13th - The Interrupters & Frank Turner @ Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park NJ
July 16th - Brett Michaels, Night Ranger & Jefferson Starship @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
August 4th - Metallica, Pantera, & Mammoth WVH @ Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford NJ
August 6th - Metallica, Five Finger Death Punch, & Ice Nine Kills @ Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford NJ
August 12th - Googoo Dolls & O.A.R. @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
September 3rd - Foreigner & Loverboy @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
September 7th - Beast in Black, VOLA, Halo Effect… Day 2 Progpower @ Center Stage, Atlanta GA
September 8th - Kamelot, Caligula’s Horse, Green Carnation…Day 3 Progpower @ Center Stage, Atlanta GA
September 9th - Myrath, Unleash the Archers, Delain… Day 4 Progpower @ Center Stage, Atlanta GA
September 10th - Lynyrd Skynyrd & ZZ Top @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
Topic: Concerts for 2023 (Read 29520 times)
