What was billed to be a night of Rock ‘N’ Roll at an outdoor amphitheater in a coastal section of Virginia, there can be challenges with the weather. The show was delayed due to local lightning, and with it having a metal roof, it kind of makes sense. A lot of those waiting in the rain expressed concern that they might get a shortened set. Having seen all of these bands before, and some of them multiple times, I knew better.
Once the near capacity crowd got in and was situated, Richmond, Virginia (USA) based Bad Omens hit the stage. They are a metalcore band with a similar style as Bring Me the Horizon. Their 8-song set included songs from both of their releases, including their album ‘The Death of Peace of Mind,’ released February this year.
Noah Sebastian – lead vocal Joakim Karlsson – vocals, guitar
Nicholas Ruffilo – bass, guitar Nick Folio – drums
Setlist
1. THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND
2. ARTIFICAL SUICIDE
3. The Grey
4. Nowhere to Go
5. Like a Villain
6. Limits
7. Just Pretend
8. Dethrone
Next up on the bill, was Columbus, OH (USA) based Beartooth. I have seen them before in various positions on bills, including headlining, but from the second these hit the stage, I knew this was going to be something special. Lead singer Caleb Shomo was like that squirrel in the road who can’t figure out which way to run as your car approaches. He was all over the place and the crowd responded with numerous pits, crowd surfers, as well as a very loud crowd singing along with him. They touched on most of them with a heavy focus on their latest release, 2021s Below. If you get to catch them near you, you definitely need to find a way to make it happen. You won’t be disappointed.
Caleb Shomo – lead vocals, all studio instruments
Oshie Bichar – bass, backing vocals
Connor Denis – drums, backing vocals
Zach Huston – lead guitar, backing vocals
Will Deely – rhythm guitar
Setlist:
1. The Lines
2. Devastation
3. In Between
4. You Never Know
5. Bad Listener
6. Riptide
7. Hated
8. Disease
9. The Past Is Dead
10. The Last Riff
Closing out the night was Ocala, FL (USA) based A Day to Remember. After what Beartooth brought to the stage, I knew ADTR was going to be taking it up a notch or two. This was evidenced with them opening with 2009s ‘Downfall Of Us All.’ Right from the start, vocalist Jeremy McKinnon had this crowd right where he wanted. The mosh pits raged, the crowd surfers were plenty, but it wasn’t quite enough, they found the need to toss about 25 oversized beach balls into the crowd to help them burn off the extra energy. All in all, it was what we have come to expect from ADTR: Well executed, meticulously planned, camaraderie amongst the band, as well as with the audience, along with catchy songs from your warped tour years. Are they pop punk? Maybe. Are they metalcore? Maybe. Am I going to go see them again in a couple days? You betcha. There are shows that are great musically, there are shows that are great visually, but when you can get all of those standards met at one show, that is the one you go see multiple times.
Jeremy McKinnon – lead vocals (2003–present)
Neil Westfall – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2003–present)
Alex Shelnutt – drums (2006–present)
Kevin Skaff – lead guitar, backing vocals (2009–present)
Setlist:
1. The Downfall of Us All
2. All I Want
3. Paranoia
4. A Shot in the Dark
5. Degenerates
6. 2nd Sucks
7. Right Back at It Again
8. Rescue Me
9. Have Faith in Me
10. Last Chance to Dance (Bad Friend)
11. I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?
12. Mindreader
13. Miracle
14. All Signs Point to Lauderdale
15. Mr. Highway’s Thinking About the End
16. Resentment
Encore:
17. If It Means a Lot to You
18. Monument
19. Sometimes You’re the Hammer, Sometimes You’re the Nail
20. The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle
