Concert Reviews

Setlist Highlights

Review

Metallica's return to SoFi Stadium proved why they remain heavy metal's undisputed kings. The M72 world tour's innovative 'in-the-round' stage design allowed 70,000 fans to experience the band from every angle, creating an unprecedented level of intimacy in such a massive venue. The production was absolutely mind-blowing, with a cylindrical screen setup that made every seat feel like the best in the house. The band opened with 'Whiplash' and never let up for the entire two-and-a-half-hour set. James Hetfield's voice has never sounded better, hitting those iconic vocal lines with the same power and precision as the '80s recordings. Kirk Hammett's guitar solos were flawless, particularly during 'Fade to Black' which brought the entire stadium to a hushed silence before the explosive finale. Robert Trujillo's bass work during '(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth' was a masterclass in heavy metal bass playing. Lars Ulrich's drumming drove the entire performance with relentless energy, proving the naysayers wrong with technical precision and showmanship. The encore featuring 'Enter Sandman' sent the crowd into absolute pandemonium. Confetti cannons, pyrotechnics, and the thunderous roar of tens of thousands of metalheads created a moment that will be remembered for decades. This wasn't just a concert—it was a historical event that reminded everyone why Metallica has sold over 125 million albums worldwide.

Setlist Highlights

Review

Iron Maiden's Halloween performance at Madison Square Garden was nothing short of legendary. The Future Past tour brought together classic tracks with newer material in a way that showcased the band's incredible evolution while honoring their roots. Bruce Dickinson, at 66 years old, commanded the stage like a man half his age, his operatic voice soaring through the venue with supernatural power. The stage production was a visual feast, featuring Eddie in various incarnations throughout the show, including a massive 20-foot tall cyborg Eddie during 'Caught Somewhere in Time.' The lighting design transformed MSG into a dystopian landscape that perfectly complemented the sci-fi themes of their concept albums. Steve Harris's galloping bass lines were the backbone of every song, while the triple-guitar attack of Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers created walls of melodic metal that were both intricate and brutal. Nicko McBrain's drumming was thunderous and precise, driving songs like 'Aces High' with machine-like accuracy while adding human feel and groove. The band performed 'Alexander the Great' for the first time ever on American soil, bringing history buffs and metal fans to tears simultaneously. The closing trilogy of 'Iron Maiden,' 'The Number of the Beast,' and 'Wasted Years' was three songs of pure heavy metal perfection. Up the Irons!

Setlist Highlights

Review

Tool's performance at United Center was a transcendent experience that pushed the boundaries of what a rock concert can be. This wasn't just a show—it was a carefully orchestrated audio-visual journey into the depths of progressive metal artistry. The band's famously minimal stage presence was offset by the most stunning visual production in modern rock, featuring massive LED screens displaying Alex Grey's visionary artwork and mind-bending animations synchronized perfectly with the music. Maynard James Keenan stood in his usual position at the back of the stage, allowing the music and visuals to take center stage while delivering vocals with haunting precision. His voice has aged like fine wine, adding gravitas to songs both old and new. Adam Jones's guitar work was mesmerizing, creating atmospheric soundscapes that built into crushing riffs. Justin Chancellor's bass playing was nothing short of hypnotic, his lines weaving complex patterns that served as both rhythm and lead. Danny Carey's drumming defied human comprehension—his polyrhythmic patterns during 'Pneuma' and 'The Grudge' left the audience in stunned silence between songs. The setlist balanced newer material from 'Fear Inoculum' with fan favorites, each song flowing into the next with intentional pacing. The extended jam during 'Lateralus' featured Carey's electronic percussion setup, creating otherworldly sounds that pushed the song into new territories. Tool doesn't perform—they create sonic architecture.

Setlist Highlights

Review

The Foo Fighters' return to Wembley Stadium was an emotional and triumphant celebration of rock music in its purest form. Following the heartbreaking loss of Taylor Hawkins, the band's performance felt both cathartic and celebratory. Josh Freese on drums did an incredible job honoring Hawkins's legacy while bringing his own legendary skills to the kit. His precision and power drove songs like 'The Pretender' with ferocious energy. Dave Grohl remains one of rock's most charismatic frontmen, his genuine love for performing radiating through every moment of the three-hour marathon set. His storytelling between songs was hilarious and heartfelt, creating an intimate atmosphere despite the 90,000-person crowd. The band brought out several special guests including Paul McCartney, who joined for a raucous version of 'Band on the Run' that had the entire stadium singing along. The setlist was a perfect mix of hits, deep cuts, and covers, including a surprise performance of 'Imagine' that brought many to tears. Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear, and Rami Jaffee formed a tight musical unit, with Shiflett's lead guitar work particularly impressive during the extended outro of 'Best of You.' The encore's 'Everlong' transformed Wembley into the world's largest singalong. While the show was nearly perfect, the pacing occasionally dragged during some of the newer material. Nevertheless, this was rock and roll at its most life-affirming.

Setlist Highlights

Review

Ghost's performance at Red Rocks was pure theatrical rock perfection set against one of the most beautiful natural venues in the world. Tobias Forge, as Papa Emeritus IV, commanded the stage with the charisma of a dark pope presiding over a satanic mass. The costume changes, choreographed movements, and overall theatricality were impeccable, creating a show that was as much spectacle as it was musical performance. The natural acoustics of Red Rocks amplified Ghost's melodic heavy rock to perfection. The Nameless Ghouls were tight as ever, their synchronized movements and musicianship creating a unified aesthetic that complemented the songs perfectly. The guitar harmonies during 'Cirice' rang out across the red sandstone formations, creating a truly magical moment. The keyboard work added lush textures that made songs like 'He Is' absolutely haunting. The setlist spanned their entire discography, showing how Ghost has evolved from underground Swedish death metal to arena-filling rock spectacle. 'Square Hammer' was an absolute showstopper, with the entire amphitheater chanting along. The encore featured confetti cannons that covered the audience in shimmering paper during 'Mummy Dust,' creating a bizarre but delightful juxtaposition with the song's anti-capitalist lyrics. As the Colorado sun set behind the rocks during 'Year Zero,' it felt like witnessing something truly special—a band that has mastered the art of combining pop sensibilities with occult imagery and heavy rock.

Setlist Highlights

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Slipknot's headline performance at their own Knotfest in their home state of Iowa was pure unbridled chaos in the most glorious way possible. This was more than a concert—it was a homecoming, a family reunion, and a primal scream therapy session all rolled into one. The nine members of Slipknot took the stage wearing their updated masks and jumpsuits, immediately launching into 'Unsainted' with percussion that shook the ground. Corey Taylor's vocal performance was astounding, seamlessly switching between melodic singing and guttural screams that sounded genuinely terrifying. His between-song banter with the Iowa crowd was deeply personal and emotional, acknowledging how far the band has come since their early days playing Des Moines bars. The dual percussion of Shawn 'Clown' Crahan and new member Eloy Casagrande created a thunderous backbone, their movements synchronized like a violent ballet. Mick Thomson and Jim Root's guitar work was crushingly heavy, their downtuned riffs creating a wall of sound that was physically felt in the chest. Alessandro Venturella's bass and Sid Wilson's turntable work added layers of sonic chaos that pushed songs into experimental territories. The pyrotechnics during 'The Devil in I' were excessive and dangerous-looking—exactly what Slipknot should be. The crowd participation during 'Spit It Out' created one of the largest circle pits in Knotfest history. This was Slipknot at their peak—aggressive, emotional, and completely uncompromising.

Setlist Highlights

Review

Green Day's headlining set at Lollapalooza proved that pop-punk legends can still command festival stages with the energy and attitude of bands half their age. Billie Joe Armstrong bounced across the stage with seemingly endless stamina, engaging the massive crowd with his trademark sneer and genuine warmth. The band performed the entirety of 'American Idiot' to celebrate its 20th anniversary, and the political themes felt as relevant today as they did in 2004. Tre Cool's drumming was energetic and precise, his cymbal work adding sparkle to punk anthems while his occasional drum solos kept things interesting. Mike Dirnt's bass lines were the glue holding everything together, his backing vocals harmonizing perfectly with Billie Joe's lead. The band pulled several fans on stage during 'King for a Day,' creating spontaneous moments of joy that reminded everyone why Green Day became punk rock's most successful crossover act. The performance of 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' as the sun set over Grant Park was genuinely beautiful, with thousands of phone lights creating a sea of stars. However, the set occasionally felt a bit too polished and rehearsed, losing some of the punk rock spontaneity that made their early shows legendary. The sound mix also struggled during the faster songs, with Billie Joe's guitar sometimes getting lost. Despite these minor issues, the closing 'Good Riddance' was an emotional moment that left the entire festival grounds singing along. Green Day remains one of punk's most important bands.

Setlist Highlights

Review

Muse's performance at The O2 Arena was a masterclass in stadium rock theatricality and musical virtuosity. Matt Bellamy is arguably the most talented multi-instrumentalist in modern rock, and this show highlighted his abilities on guitar, piano, and synthesizer. His falsetto vocals soared over the arena during 'Starlight,' hitting notes that seemed physically impossible. The stage production was absolutely massive, featuring robotic arms, laser displays, and LED screens that created an immersive science fiction environment. Chris Wolstenholme's bass playing during 'Hysteria' was absolutely monstrous—his fuzzy, distorted bass riff is one of rock's most iconic, and hearing it live with that level of precision and power was breathtaking. Dom Howard's drumming was both technical and groovy, driving songs forward while adding subtle fills that elevated the compositions. The addition of Morgan Nicholls on additional keys and backing vocals filled out the sound perfectly. The setlist was a dream for longtime fans, balancing newer political anthems with beloved classics. 'Knights of Cydonia' closed the main set with its epic Western-meets-space-opera vibe, complete with galloping rhythms and arena-shaking riffs. The encore featured an intimate piano version of 'Unintended' before exploding back into bombast with 'Take a Bow.' Muse proved they are one of the few bands that can deliver both technical precision and emotional depth while putting on a show that rivals any pop concert's production values. This was prog rock for the modern era—ambitious, dramatic, and absolutely stunning.