Saturday afternoon, White Oak Music Hall hosted yet another incredible show, featuring two legendary bands, Seether and Skillet, on their highly anticipated fall tour. Opening for these immensely popular groups were country artists Royal Lynn and Tim Montana, both of whom brought their remarkable talent to set the stage for the night ahead. As soon as I arrived, I couldn’t help but notice how packed the lawn was…and it wasn’t even a sold-out show! The grounds were teeming with people, and I couldn’t go twenty minutes without running into someone I knew. The merch lines were full, the beer lines even fuller, and the air was thick with sweat and excitement as everyone geared up to rock out and let loose. Anyone who’s been to a concert knows that initial buzz of anticipation just before their favorite band steps on stage…that electrifying mix of suspense, thrill, and shared excitement. Every second leading up to that moment still gives me goosebumps, and I have to say, the energy that night was absolutely palpable.
As the lights went off and the crowd went wild, it was time for Skillet. I’ve known of this band since middle school (which makes me feel pretty old just saying that), but this was my first time seeing them live. Skillet, a Christian rock band formed in Nashville, Tennessee, currently consists of husband and wife duo John and Korey Cooper, along with Jen Ledger and Seth Morrison. I’d heard countless great things about their live performances, but I definitely wasn’t prepared for what I experienced during their set. First of all, holy hell, do they bring the energy! They kicked off their 13-song setlist with “Feel Invincible,” “Rise,” and “Surviving the Game,” immediately unleashing a whirlwind of pure chaos. One thing Skillet doesn’t do is skimp on their stage production. From the incredible light show, to the towering drum kit, to John Cooper’s signature fog cannon guns, it was hard to even focus on photographing…I couldn’t take my eyes off the madness unfolding before me. Each member of the band is, without a doubt, one of the most energetic performers I’ve ever witnessed—and let’s be real, I’ve seen a lot of shows. Between the pounding drums, the electrifying guitars, John’s growls, and the fans screaming along, I expected a good performance, but this was on another level. It was easily one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. Skillet kept the momentum going with “Awake and Alive,” “Whispers in the Dark,” and “Psycho in My Head,” before closing out their set with fan favorites “Monster” and “The Resistance.” The band completely exceeded all expectations and delivered one unforgettable night.
Now it was time for what I was most excited to see…South African rock icons, Seether, a band I’ve loved since I was just a bratty little pre-teen. Where do I even begin with these guys? I’ll try not to completely fan-girl in this article, so I’ll keep it short and simple. Seether is, without a doubt, one of the best bands in the world, and they always will be. They hold a special place in my heart and always will. I’ve seen them live six times, and every time, I leave as an even bigger fan than before…which hardly seems possible. It’s like they grab onto my heartstrings in a way that’s hard to even comprehend. They’re just that special for me.
Seether consists of the legendary lineup of Shaun Morgan, John Humphrey, Corey Lowery, and Dale Stewart…all absolute masters of their craft. They kicked off their eleven-song set with “Gasoline,” “Fine Again,” and an intimate acoustic version of “Broken,” which had me tearing up like a little baby. I don’t know what it is about this band that hits me so deeply, but I know it’s in all the best ways possible. Many people love Seether for their raw, relatable lyrics, which often deal with honest emotions like pain, love, anger, and life’s struggles. Their music makes fans feel like they’re not alone in whatever they’re going through. Seether masterfully blends intense emotions with powerful, rage-filled sounds, giving fans plenty of opportunities to scream along to every word. Their performances are simple yet incredible…they don’t need elaborate lights or a fancy stage presence. All they need is themselves on stage: raw, intimate, and authentic. Shaun Morgan barely moves around the stage, yet he still manages to make you feel emotional, amazed, and completely fulfilled. Each song they played that night was top-notch, just as I expected and remember. The four-piece band sounded as tight and connected as ever and played a vast array of their hits, including “Rise Above This,” “Nobody Praying For Me,” “Judas Mind,” and more, before closing their set with fan favorites “Fake It” and “Remedy.”
I cannot stress this enough…Seether is one of those bands everyone should see live at least once in their life. After all these years of being a longtime fan, they never disappoint and continually remind me why they mean so much to me. Seether is still here, still bringing incredible music, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.
SEETHER
SKILLET
Photos + Review by Krystie Archer | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!