On Friday, Jan.12, Nashville was the first stop on Avenged Sevenfold’s “The Stage” tour. It was no surprise that the show sold out due to the popularity of A7X as well as the other two tour headliners Breaking Benjamin and Bullet for My Valentine. The inclement weather couldn’t even stop the thousands of people like me who were ready to have a great night rocking out.
As a huge fan of all three headliners, I’m happy to say that it was a great show and by far one of the coolest concerts I’ve ever been to. The Bridgestone Arena truly transformed and the energy from the pit was unreal.
Starting off the night was a popular metal band from Wales called Bullet for My Valentine. Due to the genre difference it seemed like many people were unfamiliar with the majority of Bullet’s songs, but it was a seamless set that was perfect in getting the crowd pumped and ready for the rest of the night.
After BFMV, was Breaking Benjamin a well known rock band that has come to Nashville multiple times in the past. Prior to their actual performance I had the chance to meet Breaking Benjamin which was definitely a childhood dream come true and for sure added to the closeness I felt during their performance. All of the members were nice and Benjamin proved to be just as cool as he always seems. During their set, the audience was given a nice surprise when Morgan Rose, the drummer for the rock band Sevendust, came on stage to play drums during the song “Failure”.
Avenged Sevenfold went on last playing an almost two hour long set that featured the use of multiple large screens that showed various short scenes and graphics to accompany the live songs. The stage presence of the band enhanced by the effects and crowd participation showed that the longtime band still had the ability to rock out just like they did in their early years. Like Breaking Benjamin, A7X had a guest perform with them. The guest was none other than the lead singer of the rockband Halestorm who covered “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd with the band. A special moment of the night was when a memorial slideshow to a band member who passed away played to the song made in his honor. Many tears were shed but it was a magical moment in which strangers at the concert were able to come together and feel something more than just general concert happiness.
Fellow freshman student Ethan Beaty said the following about the night: ” The entire concert was surreal. Each band contributed an energy that fused the entire concert into an amazing, unforgettable experience. The venue fit perfectly, and the crowd reacted in such a way as to carry the energy provided by the bands’ performances.”
Overall, the first night of the tour was a big success and I can’t wait to see more photos and videos as it continues to 20 other locations in the USA and Canada.