Review List
Sevendust - 10 Years of Aggression Tour
Toad's Place is a new venue located in the Canal District of Richmond, Va. The venue is literally located right on the canal. Toad's Place is so new in fact that they haven't even received their liquor license yet. This didn't bother me too much since it meant all the drunken idiots would either leave and not come back or just show up late. Plus I was the DD so I wasn't too worried about it. The venue is 2 levels, the top, however, was closed off for VIP members. The venue is very small with a capacity under 1500 (only 900 w/the top closed). The acoustics still need to be worked out as all night there seemed to be issues w/getting crisp sound. They also need to turn down the volume of the tweener music as nobody wants to go deaf from the radio above. Overall not a band place once they work out the kinks.
Point One
Point One is a band out of Seattle I wasn't familiar with at all before hand, but afterwards I can say I'll check into them. The 4 piece set up was a great way to start off the show. A small ~30 minute set w/lots of energy. One thing that was great about Point One is they really took advantage of their opportunity as an opening band. Not only did they go out and put on a show for the few folks who made it in early, they also promoted themselves very good. Besides having a great sound, I believe giving out free cds and having crowd interaction are the best ways to get your name out and bring in fans at a live show. Point One really reminds me a lot of a mix between Fuel, Evans Blue, and Chevelle (not at all because of the band name either). Not to mention the lead singer looks a lot like Brett Scallions. Not a lot of bands give such an effort for such a small crowd and for being an opener, but Point One really worked the crowd and gave a solid effort. I'll be looking forward to see these guys on stage w/more material and more of an opportunity to rock the crowd.
Diecast
This was my second time checking out Diecast and I was hoping for a better set this time around especially since Point One set up the crowd so well. The set started out well, nice heavy tunes to get the crowd going. All was going well until I realized that not much sticks out about the music. Every song blended together and the energy just wasn't as high when compared to Point One. Not to mention the fans instantly became stupified during the middle of the set. Mosh pits are annoying, but I can live w/those. I don't get pissed until idiots who are TOOOO into the band playing decide everyone needs to be in the pit and that if they aren't rocking something is wrong. I'm sorry, buddy, not everyone enjoys the same shit you do. The crowd became increasingly annoying and the music just became bland. Diecast seems to be going the way a lot of metal bands are going now putting out the hardest shit possible and then throwing in a slow song to show an attempt at musical ability. FAILURE. The same stage antics over and over by the band members didn't make the show any more entertaining as well. I can only hope Diecast improves in the future because I wouldn't pay to see them headline any show.
Sevendust
I was really anticipating seeing Sevendust this night even though I've seen them countless times before. The previous show I went to was only 12 songs long and even then I missed the first 3 due to insane, unforeseen traffic conditions. It's a rarity I leave a Sevendust disappointed and I was hoping it wouldn't be 2 shows in a row that his happened. Sevendust always picks great intro songs and the Johnny Cash "God's Gonna Cut You Down" tune really set the stage for their entrance. Sevendust came out w/their normal opening of rocking songs. The set list wasn't all that atypical, but it didn't matter because the energy the band had was so much greater than the last few times I've seen them. John was WAY more mobile than any show I've ever seen them. Vinnie and Sonny had the crowd eating out the palm of their hands. The interaction the two have w/the crowd is absolutely amazing. I've never seen a band that could pick out fans singing along so easily or catch someone doing the slightest action. Of course the crowd follows their every move, but tonight it seemed as if they took a few moments to interact w/each individual crowd member. This is stuff people will always remember (regardless of whether or not the band members do). If that wasn't enough Lajon is a powerhouse on the mic and his crowd interaction is just as good as any lead. The band brought out all of their normal tricks such as Sonny's ninja poses, Morgan's drumstick switch, the simultaneous jump w/Sonny, John, and Vinnie, among others. The songs almost lose their sense of power because the band is so great at entertaining that the music just becomes a soundtrack for stage performance (which is amazing considering the strength of their sound). Before I knew it was about 15 songs through a set and they were done. It was like a great movie that has such a compelling story you can sit through the entire thing and be oblivious to time. Before the encore the crowd did a chant I've never heard before. One half of the crowd was chanting "STOP" while the other half followed w/"Fucking with my head." As Sevendust came out Lajon took the mic and said he had never in the history of touring the United States heard a crowd sing a song such a way. Lajon was also a hit w/the crowd as he came out w/a Virginia Tech shirt on. After the initial chant he did a short speech about how we should all keep pushin on in reference to the April 16th shootings at Virginia Tech which prompted a "Let's Go Hokie's" chant. Definitely a moving moment. The band then rocked out for Driven before polishing off the encore w/Face To Face. The band was a lot more live this time around and put on one of the better shows I've seen them perform. Amazing performance, which reaffirmed why I was a Sevendust fan. If the sound was better in Toad's Place this would be a 10 for sure.