Bands I saw at Sonic Temple
Third day got fucked up so I didn’t see many of the bands I planned to see, but got to see some good stuff from ones I didn’t plan to attend so it wasn’t all bad. |
| 1 | Radattack
They’ve got like 3 songs out and I wasn’t a big fan of those when I listened, but they sounded better live. |
| 2 | SHVPES
Sounded like a worse Papa Roach. Not the worst I’ve seen live but wasn’t a big fan. |
| 3 | Wage War
Second time seeing them. Excellent show, same as the first time. One of the best live metalcore bands I’ve seen. |
| 4 | Zeal and Ardor
Holy fuck. Absolutely killer live show, and I totally killed my voice during their set. Absolutely incredible. |
| 5 | Beartooth
Caleb’s screams have somehow actually gotten worse. He was screeching like a cat. Saw him once in Attavk Attack and one other time in Beartooth and although he no longer ends up out of breath after a couple songs, his voice is terrible. |
| 6 | Parkway Drive
Fucking incredible. I don’t listen to these guys really but I’m going to be checking them out more after this because they put on such a great performance. Someone stole my wallet with my ID and $60 in it during their set though. |
| 7 | Halestorm
This is my third time seeing them, and this was their best performance. Glad they brought back Familiar Taste if Poison even if it was just as an interlude. |
| 8 | Ghost (SWE)
Second time seeing them. Enjoyed it a even more this time since I’m more familiar with their music now and wasn’t just enjoying their spectacle. Very funny between-song comments too. |
| 9 | System of a Down
Holy fuck. I honestly never thought I’d see them live, but here they were. I’ve been waiting for about 15 years to see them and it was every bit as incredible as I hoped. Still can barely believe it actually happened. |
| 10 | The Plot In You
Another band I don’t listen to that impressed me enough to want to check them out. Kicked off Day 2 very well. |
| 11 | Evan Conrad
As someone there said, he’s a clearly talented musician but I have no clue why he was at this festival, let alone one the second stage. He had maybe 100 people in the crowd and his music didn’t fit at all. Loved his tribute to Chris Cornell, though, and I wouldn’t mind seeing him again but in a more appropriate setting. |
| 12 | While She Sleeps
Again, a band I didn’t know that kicked a lot of ass and got me interested. Love those kinds of experiences. |
| 13 | The Black Dahlia Murder
Another third time band. Went as hard as the other two times. These guys don’t disappoint. |
| 14 | Gojira
Would you believe this was another one I saw for the third time? And yes, it was another amazing set from them. Randy from Lamb of God did a song with them, and as you’ve probably seen their guitarist had an incident with the pyrotechnics. The crowd was very supportive of him especially with him coming right back out on stage after a very short break to get the burns taken care of. |
| 15 | In This Moment
3/5 songs were good, and the theatrical stuff was good. Very short set disappointed a lot of people but I didn’t mind as I got to see Blood which is all I cared about. |
| 16 | Lamb of God
Only ever heard one of their albums, but I really enjoyed seeing them live. I may check out more of their work, not 100% sure, but wouldn’t mind seeing them again at all. |
| 17 | Papa Roach
The final third timer. Honestly these guys bring so much energy live, and the way they feed off the crowd’s energy too means they’re one of my favorite live shows. I enjoy their studio work but their live work is even better in my opinion. |
| 18 | Teenage Wrist
Amazing start to a disappointing day. I want to see them again, preferably soon. Too bad not many people were there to see them, they deserved a better crowd. |
| 19 | Dirty Honey
Not my style, only saw them because Scarlxrd was cancelled. “When I’m Gone” is a good song, though, and they’re certainly good at what they do. Just not for me. |
| 20 | Amigo the Devil
Odd choice for the festival, let alone as a main stage artist, but he worked the crowd with his humor and got the stadium singing, clapping, and stomping along. Excellent performer, highly enjoyable. Wasn’t one of my players bed bands but since all the ones I wanted to see were cancelled I was just hanging at the main stage and quite glad I did. |
| 21 | The Glorious Sons
Brought the energy, and I forgot they did “S.O.S.” so seeing that made it even more fun. Would love to see them again, and they weren’t one of my expected bands. |
| 22 | The Struts
They didn’t play their only song I’m familiar with, but it didn’t matter. It’s sad they were the last band I saw, but damn did they send me out on a high point. Another band that feeds off the crowd for the betterment of their show. |
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