Well, this is a bummer (but not really). I thought I was going to check ticket prices for Metallica and their two shows at SoFi Stadium and it looks reasonably priced for the two day pass (as far as stadium shows go nowadays). Found that it's on the weekend of my trip to Grand Rapids and Chicago. Not going to change plans, but I'm going to think on the back of my mind, this may be the last time they do a big headlining show in the LA area. I mean there's a 6 year gap between them playing Rose Bowl in 2017 and these shows in late August. Who knows when's the next time they will be in these parts again.
Bummer.
Yeah, last time Metallica played here (NJ) was 7 years ago. Sometimes they don't come back for awhile. That's this weekend for me!
Last Saturday was the Godsmack/Staind show. Of course we got to the venue and I didn't have my lawn pass with me
luckily I live close by, but by the time we got into the venue, Mix Master Mike was already finishing his opening DJ set. From what I saw, I guess I didn't miss much though. Just him playing music basically, so there really wasn't much of a performance. Nothing More was supposed to have that opening slot and I would have much rather had a live band.
THen it started to rain and lightning. Luckily the storm was pretty quick moving as you could see the clouds rolling by quickly. It downpoured for a good 15 minutes and lead to about a 30 minute delay for Staind to take the stage. When they finally did, it was epic though. The rain was still coming down but the storm had mostly passed, (and even though it was raining, it was quite bright out) and a huge rainbow formed right over the venue. It's moments like this where you'd rather be out on the lawn than in a seat below because you'd totally miss the beauty of mother nature. They opened with their new single (apparently a rock radio #1 hit) and I captured it where you can see the rain and near the end of the song I zoom out to show the radio. This song will likely go down as one of my top concert moments of the year. I was so fucking giggly for this moment even though I'm not really much of a Staind fan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok84Wnz4NPM My gf took this picture of me recording that video:
I thought their set was just OK. I'm not much of a fan, but the guys got a great voice and he sounded good as well as the band. They played their hit songs that I knew and it was enjoyable, but other than the crazy weather, the set was nothing spectacular for me.
Place filled out quite a bit by the time Godsmack went on. I'm legit shocked this concert sold as well as it did (basically sold out of seats and lawn was pretty packed). In the end, the rain delay just pushed everything back, but there was no cut of either bands set which was cool, the show just went to 11:15 instead of 10:45. One of the staff workers confirmed that to me while I was getting a drink.
I've also never been much of a Godsmack fan, but I found their set to be more enjoyable and musically a bit closer to what I like than Staind. I must say though, I was impressed with Sully Erna. Just didn't realize how talented he was between signing, guitar, piano, and even playing drums. Guy was just all over the place doing everything. And honestly, he ripped on the crowd so good that I just have to give him credit. He basically said that the crowd was filled with puffy people with fake muscles and take tits
so true too! The butt rock crowd really came out that night. He also said something along the lines of whats the point of all the muscles when you work for tmobile customer service?
They did a few songs I enjoyed, had pyro and confetti, and for the encore they did their newer ballad song, that I really liked. Probably my favorite song of the night.
Godsmack - Under Your Scars LIVE @ PNC Bank Arts Center Holmdel NJ 7/29/2023 and while I recorded basically the whole normal song, I stopped recording when he started extending the song and talking because a huge brawl broke out a bit in front of me. It was far enough away that I couldn't tell what was happening, but with all the flashing lights and people running, it was clear a fight broke out. Followed by security escorting someone out and shortly after the EMS carting someone out who looked knocked out. (I couldn't tell if this was from a fight or from alcohol/drugs though). I mean, this was all during a ballad?! Yeah, Sully was right about all these juiced up meatheads in the crowd.
Godsmack & Staind LIVE @ PNC Bank Arts Center Holmdel NJ 7/29/2023Next up:
TONIGHT is Snoop Dogg!
I've seen a couple rap artists before, but never went to a full blown rap concert. Since I have the summer pass, figured time to check something different out. Made sure to stop at the dispensary during my lunch break today since I feel like that's a requirement to attend such a show.
But this next week is PACKED:
August 2nd - Snoop Dog & Wiz Khalifa @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
August 4th - Metallica, Pantera, & Mammoth WVH @ Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford NJ
August 5th - Fall Out Boy & Bring Me The Horizon @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
August 6th - Metallica, Five Finger Death Punch, & Ice Nine Kills @ Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford NJ
August 8th - Incubus & Badflower @ Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park NJ