According to the email I got, I was supposed to be at the venue by 3:15 pm for access to sound check and the pre-show meet & greet. When I got to Mill City Nights, however, a few early arrivers and I were informed that due to business being held by other companies on the upper floors that no music could start until after 6pm, so we were advised to come back at that time.
I wandered around the downtown Minneapolis neighborhood for a while, before deciding to cool down on a hot summer day with a cold ice water and dinner at one of the local restaurants. When I got back to Mill City at 6pm, I met some more friends there for the VIP festivities.
We were told by the coordinator that it would be closer to 7pm before things were ready. I was the first one in the door then when we got to soundcheck. I got to shake hands with my pals rhythm guitarist John Connolly and frontman Lajon Witherspoon before they played the songs "Thank You" and "Shine" for the sound check.
A few minutes later, the guys in Sevendust took turns signing a lithograph for all of us and posing for pictures. We were then told to go back outside for a few minutes until the venue opened at 7:30. Sure enough, I was the first one in the venue again, and parked myself front row, center!
Shortly after 8 pm, the first opening act, Red Tide Rising, took the stage. I did my homework and listened to a pair of their albums before the show, so I knew to expect some great music. I'm still not sure exactly what bands they sound like, but they did a great job in their half-hour set.
Not long afterwards, funk-rockers Crobot took to the stage. This was my first time seeing the band, and they didn't disappoint with yet another high-energy set! They also have fun during their shows, including lighter moments like when frontman Brandon Yeagley proceeded to hop on top of guitarist Chris Bishop's elbows and continued to sing during one of their hits.
By the time Sevendust arrived, the arena was packed! I'm glad I got to chat with some old friends before their set and meet some new friends and fellow Sevendust fans. Imagine my delight when the band started their set with "Thank You" and "Shine," the two songs I'd just heard at sound check a few hours earlier!
While they didn't play anything from their debut album, it was nice to hear deeper tracks like "Home," "Ugly" and "Pieces" live for the first time. There were also some slower moments like an acoustic rendition of "Denial" and the ever-popular "Angel's Son."
Sevendust wrapped up a powerful 15-song set with the fan favorites "Praise," "Pieces" and the F-U anthem "Face to Face." I was lucky enough to get one of John's guitar picks from a fellow fan, and asked one of the security workers for a setlist-more prizes for my collection!
After another hour or so, our VIP coordinator led us to the back of Mill City, where we were led onto the band's tour bus. I sat down next to drummer Morgan Rose and started talking baseball, and had good conversations with Lajon, Vinny, John and Clint. This was my 13th time hanging out with the band (not to mention my 13th time seeing them in Minnesota), and they always treat the diehard fans like family. One more reason why I love this band!
We were only on the tour bus for a few minutes, but I was glad for the experience. I said my goodbyes to my friends and made my way home with a permanent grin on my face. It was such an amazing time from start to finish! I'm already wondering when my 21st Sevendust show will be?
Well, that's all for now-next show will be Nonpoint at Opinion Brewing in Newport, then some out of state music at Locofest in Iowa. Until then, have a great week, folks!
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