Although the lawn was closed off tonight at the PNC Music Pavillion you wouldn’t be able to tell based on the winding line of fans building up well before doors opened for the evening. This was Godsmack’s first time in Charlotte, NC since headlining day two of the last Carolina Rebellion Festival in 2018. With half a decade of anticipation built up it was hard to ignore the energy from fans as they spilled through the GA and VIP entrances attempting to maneuver through the sea of people to their seats.
Austin Meade
Austin Meade is the frontman and guitarist of his own band. A former drummer through college, Austin started to discover his voice for songwriting before he dropped two releases in 2014, his first EP Long Ways To Go followed by his first album Chief Of The Sinners. If I were to describe him to a stranger I think the saying “born in the wrong generation” fits the bill. Austin Meade’s music and style almost come straight from the 70’s classic rock era with his own twist intertwined. I enjoyed watching this set live, it was very pleasing sonically. However, I’m not sure that it felt cohesive to the rest of the lineup for this tour, almost leaning towards the country-esque side of rock. Make sure you check out his music here.
I Prevail
Since releasing True Power in August of 2022 I Prevail hit the road first headlining a tour with Pierce The Veil before taking off again in May of 2023 to open for Godsmack on this run. I Prevail’s sound is a harmonious combination of post-hardcore, metalcore, and pop-punk that I find really unique to the band. They kicked things off tonight with the opening track Bow Down from their 2019 album Trauma before playing fan-favorite Body Bag off of True Power. Their set was a healthy mix of tracks from both the 2019 and 2022 albums. One of the things I love most about watching I Prevail live is their amazing production and lighting design, it truly amplifies the experience. I highly recommend catching I Prevail perform live any chance you get. You can more about the band here.
I Prevail’s Setlist: Bow Down / Body Bag / Self-Destruction / Bad Things / FWYTYK / Hurricane / There’s Fear In Letting Go / Deep End / Choke / Scars / Gasoline
Godsmack
Godsmack has been a staple in hard rock and heavy metal since the late 90s with the release of their self-titled album Godsmack which was a slightly edited and fully re-mastered version of their first album All Wound Up to remove any unlicensed samples. Since then Godsmack continue to consistently release an album every four to five years, their latest being Lighting Up The Sky which was released on February 24th, 2023 via BMG. Since the release of their 8th studio album Godsmack has been putting on one hell of a show across the US during the month of May. Tonight they kicked things off with the title track from their 2018 album When Legends Rise which set the pacing for the rest of the night. The crowd’s roar erupted when they kicked off their second track Cryin’ Like A Bitch!!. Just when I thought the energy was at an all-time high Sully Erna (Vocalist) talked with the crowd for a minute before Godsmack played their heavy-hitter, 1000hp complete with full pyrotechnics during the chorus of the entire song. This was one of the most memorable and engaging concerts I have been to in a while. Godsmack puts on an amazing show and you don’t want to miss them. You can grab tickets to the rest of their tour dates here.
Godsmack’s Setlist: When Legends Rise / Cryin’ Like A Bitch!! / 1000hp / You and I / Something Different / What About Me / Bulletproof / Awake / Voodoo / Batall De Los Tambores / Whatever / Under Your Scars / Surrender
