Sevendust stopped at The Water Street Music Hall in Rochester, NY, on September 17th, 2024. This was stop number three of an 18-date fall 2024 US tour celebrating the 21st anniversary of their 2003 album Seasons. The band's Horizon Theory, Return To Dust, and 10 Years were the openers, creating a lineup of excellent music. Doors opened at 6:00 PM. Fans slowly filed into the storied venue, which opened in 1976. Having a capacity of around 1,000 people, the converted warehouse to venue created an intimate setting to see these fantastic bands.
Horizon Theory
Kicking off the show at 7:00 PM, Horizon Theory took to the stage. The now moderately filled venue gave the band an enthusiastic welcome. Hailing from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, the band played a six-song set of high-energy, genre-defying music. Running through their brand new EP, The Astronomer, the set was a mix of emotions, with a dynamic blend of guitar-driven melodies, bass grooves, tribal drums, and powerful lyrics. The band set the bar high, and the fans thoroughly enjoyed the set!
Horizon Theory is Josh Harrington - on vocals, Chris Black - on guitar, Luen Murr - on bass, and Jeff Hafer on drums.
Setlist: Astronomer, Darkness, Dying Vengeance, December, Nowhere To Go, Past Life
Return To Dust
The Los Angeles, California-based rockers Return To Dust took the stage at 7:40 PM to loud applause. The venue was thumping with energy and enthusiastic fans. Playing a set of seven cuts from the band's premiere album, Return To Dust, the band continued the momentum set by the first band, delivering a fresh version of an alternative/grunge rock sound. The co-vocals of Matty Bielawski (guitar) and Graham Stanush (bass) were reminiscent of old-school grunge but had an upscale modern vibe. With boundless hair flips, guitarist Sebastian Gonzalez shreds on stage. Newcomer London Hudson shined on the drums. The band had an undeniable enthusiastic energy around them; the fans were all into the performance and pumped up for what was yet to come.
Return To Dust is Matty Bielawski on guitar and vocals, Graham Stanush on bass and vocals, Sebastian Gonzalez on lead guitar, and London Hudson on drums.
Setlist: About the World, Black Road, Bad News, Live Like This, Belly Up, Cellophane, When You Look at Me
10 Years
The venue was at capacity when 10 Years came on the stage at 8:30 PM. Formed nearly twenty years ago, the Knoxville, Tennessee-based band had a large fan base present, and they showed their appreciation by cheering loudly. Playing an eleven-song set pulled from the band's ten-album arsenal, they played songs from their first to latest albums. The crowd's energy was intense as frontman Jesse Hasek sang out the first words of the opening song, “Shoot It Out.” Core members Brian Vodinh and Matt Wantland, who performed barefoot, showcased exceptional dual guitar work. Touring members Chad Grennor on bass and drummer Luke Narey completed the band's distinctive sound. Continuing with the excellent set, Hasek announced, "Here is a new song." Shouts from the fans volleyed, "Play the old stuff," as the band went into “Rise”. As the song ended and applause erupted, fans loved the new music. The last six songs were fan favorites, judging by how many people were singing along. Playing the Nirvana cover “Heart Shaped Box” was a highlight as the venue was filled with intense, harmonious energy. Running through the uber-good “Fix Me," Hasek got the crowd even more pumped as he sang a good portion of “Novocaine" on the pit barricade. He then announced the next song was the band's newest single, “The Optimist.” he explained, "It's a song about finding yourself." At the close of this powerful song, Hasek said, "Rochester, it's been a long time since we have come this way; we will get back soon, we have one more for you; this is “Wasteland.” Once again, the crowd sings to the music with fists pumping, creating incredible energy throughout the venue. It's a perfect ending that sets the tone for the headliner!
10 Years is Jesse Hasek - vocals, Brian Vodinh - guitar, Matt Wantland - guitar & synth, Chad Grennor - bass(touring), Luke Narey - drums(touring)
Setlist: Shoot It Out, Chasing The Rapture, Dancing With The Dead, Beautiful, Rise, The Shift, Heart Shaped Box(Nirvana cover), Fix Me, Novocaine, The Optimist, Wasteland
Sevendust
Around 9:40 PM, Sevendust came on stage to a fierce roar from the audience. The band, formed in 1994 in Atlanta, Georgia, has stayed together for 30 years and has released 14 albums. This tour celebrated the 2003 album Seasons, and the setlist followed that album exactly! Opening with "Disease," frontman Lajon Witherspoon captivated the audience with his unique vocals and continued to do so throughout the show. The next song was the ever-popular "Enemy"; the whole venue sang with the band, which was definitely a highlight soon into the set. Following "Seasons," Lajon said to the fans, "It's been a while since we have been to Rochester (2007, to be exact), and I had to bring my wife to see this beautiful city with its old buildings cause you know I am old, that's what we do." The venue lit up with laughter and cheers. Running through "Broken Down," "Separate," "Honestly," "Skeleton Song," and "Disgrace," these songs showcased the band's musical abilities. Guitarists Jon Jourdan (Mammoth WVH) and John Connolly were smooth on stage. Their guitar work was excellent, with the signature chunky rhythms and tasteful solos. Vince Hornsby moved throughout the stage, his bass slung low, playing the low notes. Drummer Morgan Rose was an absolute beast on the drums. He plays fiercely and engages with fans high up on the drum riser, either blowing a kiss while he plays or tossing a drumstick to a lucky fan. He stood up and directly sailed a stick over thirty feet to the second-level balcony to a fan, who snatched it from the air; it was like an NFL quarterback dropping a pass into the corner of the end zone. The crowd cheered as the fan held the drumstick up high, showing off his souvenir. Lajon sprinkled in little snippets over the next three songs: "Burned Out," "Suffocate," and "Gone." He would ask the audience, "Does the music make you happy?" while holding the microphone to the cheering crowd. He asked, "Can you feel the energy?" "I can feel the energy," with a big smile on his face. He also shared that on October 3rd, he will turn 52 years old to a cheering crowd! "Face to Face" starts with a sick intro, and fists go into the air as the song begins; fans sing along to the album's final cut, and the band closes out a phenomenal show. The house light brightened a bit, and after a few minutes, fans chanted Sevendust, Sevendust, Sevendust to summon them back for an encore. Returning to the stage after several minutes of frenzied chanting, Lajon asks, "Rochester, you want some more music?" To a cheering crowd, the band closes out the show with "Pieces," "Praise," and "Bitch' with the fans singing along. At 10:55 PM, the show ends on a high note with an utterly fantastic encore performance.
Sevendust is Lajon Witherspoon on lead vocals, John Connolly on guitars and backing vocals, Jon Jourdan (Mammoth WVH) on lead guitar, Vince Hornsby on bass and backing vocals, and Morgan Rose on drums and backing vocals
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Setlist: Disease, Enemy, Seasons, Broken Down, Separate, Honesty, Skeleton Song, Disgrace, Burned Out, Suffocate, Gone, Face to Face, Encore; Pieces, Praise, Bitch
