Musikfest is becoming one of the premiere festivals in the United States. It seems like every year bigger names are added to the billing. This year is no exception as Godsmack absolutely came, saw, and conquered the Wind Creek Steel Stage in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
What a year it has been for the boys out of Boston. Like a freight train, they continue to rumble through the competition and continue to have the masses come aboard the Godsmack train. Fans can’t help but be enamored with the band for their hard hitting songs, versatility in their musicianship, and their growth and maturity in their songwriting.
This growth and maturity was clearly evident in their set-openers “When Legends Rise” and “1000 HP”. These songs are perfect concert openers for Godsmack as they provide that anthemic feeling and those catchy singalongs that the giants out of Boston have trademarked. “When Legends Rise” has become one of 2019’s summer anthems as it was featured for a Super Bowl preview for ESPN, which was appropriate as it starred their hometown NFL team, the New England Patriots.
Their musicianship was a highlight in the song “Voodoo”. Who can forget about highlighting Shannon Larkin as a drummer? His timing is impeccable and he has an uncanny ability to be a showman behind the kit, along with serving the song. Fans were treated to some old-school Godsmack as they played their hit songs “Keep Away” and “Whatever”. These songs showed that the band did a nice job balancing remembering their roots while evolving as a band. The highlight of the show was definitely Sully Erna and Shannon Larkin having a duel drum solo. The drum solo had a Spanish feel to it with a Middle Eastern vibe to it.
Sully proceeded to talk about The Scars Foundation, which is a foundation that the band started in order to talk about mental health awareness. This is near and dear to Madness To Creation’s heart as we use this platform to spread love and encouragement, along with talking about this topic. We stand with Godsmack to end the stigma of talking about this plight that is a pandemic in our country. The cell phones and lighters went up in the air as they sang their smash hit “Under Your Scars”, and some fans were clearly overcome with emotion as Sully crooned throughout the song.
The band treated the fans to their rocking cover of “Come Together” by The Beatles and the set closer “I Stand Alone”, which fans were treated to a fire display. Godsmack is showing the world why they “Stand Alone” in today’s mainstream rock world, by delivering each and every freaking night live. Here is the setlist:
- When Legends Rise
- 1000hp
- Say My Name
- Someday
- Voodoo
- Unforgettable
- Awake
- Take It To The Edge
- Something Different
- Keep Away
- Batalla de los Tambores
- Whatever
- Serenity
- Under Your Scars
- Bulletproof
- Come Together (The Beatles cover)
- I Stand Alone
Godsmack will be continuing to tour this fall. Check out the tour dates below:
Fri. 9/20 – Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin
Sat. 9/21- Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Madison, Wisconsin
Tue. 9/24- Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Wed. 9/25- INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas
Fri. 9/27- Sat. 9/28- Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky
Sat. 10/12- Rabobank Arena, Theater and Convention Center in Bakersfield, California
Sun. 10/13- Toyota Arena in Ontario, California
Tue. 10/15- Cal Coast Credit Union Amphitheater in San Diego, California
Wed. 10/16- Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona
Go to www.godsmack.com for tickets and further information
Fans can find GODSMACK at the following locations:
- Photo Credit: Kim Casper at Garden State Band Connection
