Coming in hot, Lakeview starts the day off right! Bringing in some country-metal energy. It was a great entrance to the set. With members Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy, Lakeview is a band originating in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, suburbs. The crowd was loud, and Lakeview had full control of their attention. While the lights were flashing, they played some of their hit songs like “Loser” and “Money Where Your Mouth Is”.

Wage War, our full metal band of the night, lit up the stage, giving off smoke and red, orange, and yellow lights looking like fireworks all together. Our band members are Brighton Brond (vocals), Seth Black (rhythmic guitar), Cody Quistad (clean vocals), Chris Gaylord (bassist), and Stephan Kluessener (drums). They all work so well together, making songs like “Blur” and “Tombstone” sound so great live.

Staind our first curtain drop of the night, and everyone was so eager for the drop. Then it happened, and the crowd roared with excitement as they started with “Lowest in Me”. Staind, with members Aaron Lewis (vocals and rhythmic guitar), Mike Mushok (lead guitar), Johnny April (backing vocals and bass), and Sal Giancarelli (drums), started in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1995. Staind had these huge backgrounds with bright lights and visuals of trees, and more that took my breath away.

Last but never least, Breaking Benjamin, with another curtain drop, they started by playing “Failure”, everyone (even in the photo pit) was singing along. Breaking Benjamin is made up of members Benjamin Burnley (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Jasen Rauch (lead guitar), Keith Wallen (backup vocals and rhythm guitar), Aaron Bruch (bass and backing vocals), and Shaun Foist (drums). We also got a special guest, Benjamin Burnley’s son! He was up there singing along and playing guitar alongside Benjamin, and it was great to see! They also brought Lacey Sturm from Flyleaf to sing their duet “Dear Agony-Aurora Version”.