Godsmack brings their Rise Of Rock Tour to Long Island for a great night with direct support from Stone Temple Pilots and special guest Dorothy.
After a long day of relentless rain and feeling optimistic about whether or not the show would start on time or be delayed, the rain slowed down, and the crowds started trickling into Jones Beach Amphitheater on the bay for what turned out to be a great night.
The show kicked off on time with Dorothy hitting the stage promptly at 7 PM, opening for this stacked bill. Frontwoman Dorothy Martin commanded the stage straight from the get-go with great energy and powerhouse vocals that immediately grabbed the attention of the early crowd. Dorothy brings a unique style of bluesy grit with hard rock melodies, which really hit well, keeping fans engaged from the beginning to the end.
Despite being the night’s first act, Dorothy never felt like an opener, as the waterfront audience was enthusiastic, with many singing along. Overall, it was a great set, so be sure to catch them on the remainder of this tour.
The anticipation for Stone Temple Pilots to take the stage was absolutely at a high, and the moment their STP backdrop went up, the crowd started chanting and cheering. As the sun was setting, the band came out and, without a word, jumped right into “Dead and Bloated” from their 1992 debut album Core, and the tone was set for the evening.Bringing on a full night of nostalgia, Stone Temple Pilots delivered a powerful set as frontman Jeff Gutt proved once again why he has become more of a natural fit for the band, as if he were channeling the spirit of the late Scott Weiland while making the songs his own. The band ripped through many classics such as “Wicked Garden,” along with “Interstate Love Song” and “Plush,” which were extremely well received by the crowd with loud sing-alongs. Jeff Gutt was in top form as he took full command of the stage while interacting with the fans, which made it even more of a personal experience for some.
The chemistry between the brothers Dean and Rob DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz was absolutely flawless, with Jeff on vocals, delivering the tight grooves and melodies that made STP one of the defining alternative bands of the 90s. Though they weren’t the headliner for this show, Stone Temple Pilots reminded everyone why their catalog remains timeless to this day. At the end of their set, a partial rainbow appeared over the bay, and who knows, but Scott may have been somewhat involved, as we’re sure he’s always looking over. Get out and catch them, you will not be disappointed, but taken back in time.
The sun had finally set, and the fans were still amped up over Stone Temple Pilots’ killer performance. It was about that time for Godsmack to bring the madness. The lights dimmed as the opening notes hit, and Sully Erna stormed the stage to a roar from the crowd. From the very first song, the band played with pure intensity and precision, bringing the sea of raised fists and constant sing-alongs.Godsmack’s set was balanced with crushing riffs with crowd-pleasing tracks, such as “Voodoo” and “I Stand Alone,” which opened up a few circle pits as well as crowd surfing. The overall production was excellent with great lighting and a sound system that just decimated the venue. Powerful lasers filled the dark sky, as well as smoke machines, which really brought the atmosphere to the right level.
One of the biggest highlights of the evening, besides their nonstop energy set, was the band’s legendary drum showcase, despite recent changes and the addition of the beast Mike Mangini on drums. A second drum kit was brought out for Sully as they went head-to-head for a crushing duo drum collaboration that was an absolute spectacle and showstopper, earning some of the loudest ovations of the night.
Sully’s vocals were great throughout the night, and the band was spot on. The connection to the audience made the massive venue feel surprisingly intimate. This is a tour you should consider catching if you have the chance, as the lineup is ace. This tour is about halfway through and concludes in Nampa, ID, on September 26th.
