Fozzy with special guests Nocturnal Affair, Magdalene Rose, and Seventh Day Slumber came together Thursday to shine a spotlight on the Barrelhouse Ballroom and the Make a Wish Foundation.
The first band of the night hailing from Las Vegas, set the mood with their alternative/dark rock sound. Though this is one of their first national tours, this fourpiece is no stranger to sharing the stage with metal and rock legends HELLYEAH, Asking Alexandria, and Pop Evil. They wasted no time hyping the crowd up and even had everyone singing along to their cover of Haddaway’s “What is Love”. I’ll be honest in saying that I hadn’t heard of this band before the tour announcement. But as a lover of all things spooky, I can say I loved their overall vibe and sound and will be adding them to my personal playlist.
I tend to not do a ton of research on opening bands so I don’t go into a set with preconceived notions and I can give an open and honest review of my experience. But my jaw was on the floor when Magdalene Rose took the stage. Formerly of GMF, Maggie English is shattering glass ceilings as a solo artist. I really didn’t know what to expect from her performance but it far exceeded my expectations. I’m a deathcore girl at heart and a huge supporter of female screamers so needless to say, I instantly became a fan. Her stage presence was entrancing and her every move captivated the audience in its entirety.
Seventh Day Slumber was up next to round out the support acts for the night. The Nashville-based band has been a consistent force in the industry for two decades. There’s no denying this powerhouse of a band laid their hearts on the stage. Frontman Joseph Rojas shared his touching story of addiction and his failed suicide attempt that left many with tears in their eyes, rejoicing in his tale of survival and recovery. In keeping with their infectious positivity the guys were offering free mech to those who stopped by to adopt a child in need. Even though their drummer and guitarist pulled double duty backing Magdelen Rose’s set, they commanded the stage and gave fans an unforgettable and raw performance.
Last but certainly not least it was time for Fozzy to take the stage. But first Chattanooga’s Rock 105 hosts took the stage to remind everyone that $1 from every ticket was being donated to Make-a-Wish East Tennessee. Before the guys even stepped on stage the audience was thunderously chanting “Fozzy! Fozzy! Fozzy!”. This quintet of seasoned pros has spent years building a wildly loyal fan base that bought out a unique and eager crowd from all walks of life. Once their intro “Juke Box Hero” began to ring throughout the venue, the crowd couldn’t be tamed. Fozzy surprised fans by opening with their newest song “Spotlight” gifting Tennessee fans with its live debut. The amount of energy the whole band possessed was absolutely unmatched, which spread like wildfire. Lead singer Chris Jerico made sure to make eye contact and wave at nearly every onlooker in the intimate venue, undoubtedly making the night for many truly memorable. The guys absolutely demolished their 14-song setlist and ended just as energetically as they began with a cover of the Ramones “Blitzkrieg Bop”.
