Sevendust Animosity Tour

There are several bands I would without a doubt consider iconic. Growing up in the late ’90s and early 2000s Sevendust would easily be among them. January this year they announced a tour celebrating their third studio album, Animosity. Being that this album was one I literally grew up on (still have the original CD. Who even has CDs still?) I HAD to be there. Better yet? They were coming to one of my hometown venues, Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center.

Starting the night out was DEEPFALL. They’re a blend of rock/metal/alternative and based out of Grand Rapids, MI. DEEPFALL is Time Ossenfort (Guitar), Jim Sully (Drums), Terry DeWit (vocals), Taylor Brandt (bass), and Tim King (keyboard).

Following up DEEPFALL was Plush. They’re an all female rock group from New York that has been absolutely breaking into the scene. I first heard them played on SiriusXM’s Octane channel last year and haven’t stopped listening since. Plush is Moriah Formica (vocals and guitar), Brooke Colucci (drums), Ashley Suppa (bass), and Bella Perron (lead guitar).
I quickly realized as their set began something special was happening. Looking around it was 100% women on stage and in the photo pit. This was a very exciting first for me and a huge girl power moment. The energy was amazing and these ladies tore the stage up. I even had the absolute pleasure of meeting several of them after the show. Genuinely amazing humans and I can’t wait to see what big things the future holds for them.

Direct support was All Good Things. These folks are indeed, good things. This is a band if you don’t think you’ve heard before, you probably have and don’t even know it. You’ve probably heard their most popular song “For The Glory” on numerous commercials. For a band that was never technically supposed to be a touring band, they put on an absolutely incredible show. They easily got the whole room moving.

It was almost time. The crowd began to get impatient and started chanting “Sevendust! Sevendust!” “T.O.A.B” began and I could literally feel the floor of the Capitol Room moving. The crowd went actually insane there wasn’t a quiet mouth or still body in the room. This was the second time I’ve seen and had the pleasure of photographing the band. They are unique in that their crowd interaction is second to none I’ve ever see. Lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon points out fans, waves, smiles, makes direct eye contact and even fist bumps fans throughout their set. He makes you really FEEL to be a part of the show. He stopped and said “The last time we were here, we were babies. You were babies.” a nod at the last time Sevendust had played at HMAC years ago.

The entire band, Vince Hornsby (Bass), Morgan Rose (drums), John Connolly (guitar), Clint Lowery (lead guitar), genuinely looked thrilled to be back on stage in Harrisburg. As they progressed through the entirety of Animosity the energy never faltered. As “Crucified” came to a close they exited the stage, but just for a few moments before returning and playing “Blood From a Stone” and “Face to Face“.

This was in my top 5 shows I’ve ever experienced and truthfully if I was able to catch the Philly and/or Baltimore shows I would have. There’s a reason Sevendust has been together and wowing crowds for nearly 30 years.