Multi-platinum Grammy-nominated hard rock band Godsmack wrapped up their ‘Vibez’ tour last night at the Theater at MGM National Harbor. The band has been out touring in support of their latest album Lighting Up The Sky, which was released in February of last year and hit number one on Billboard’s US Top Hard Rock Albums. Unlike the usual hard hitting, pyro filled performances this tour is a more intimate mixture of acoustic and electric performances with Sully taking time to tell some of the stories behind each of the songs. The nearly two hour setlist was a great blend of new and old, with several covers mixed in. Godsmack has always been one of those bands you can always count on as sounding equally amazing live as they do on their studio albums, with some arguing they are one of the few bands out there that actually sound better live. Fans were not disappointed on this night as the sound in the theater was absolutely amazing. Sully’s voice, Tony’s guitar, Robbie’s bass, and Shannon’s drums were all on par and the mix was exceptional. Sully’s commanding vocals and charismatic presence, quickly grabs the audience’s attention and keeps them hanging on to every lyric.
Things kicked off with a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Time” and the capacity crowd inside the theater rose to their feet and remained on their feet for the remainder of the show. It’s easy for most shows to pick out the highlights, but on this night every single song was truly a highlight. From the heavier, “Love-Hate-Sex-Pain.” to a ten minute cover of Led Zeppelin’s “No Quarter” all the way to the encore of Sully at the piano for “Under Your Scars” every single song was highlight. One of my personal favorites of the night was “One Rainy Day” where Tony’s guitar playing was just mesmerizing. Despite the tour not having the typical big production with pyro and such it did have a huge led backdrop that engulfed the theater with videos and images thru out the show, and it was great seeing the band in a bit more of a stripped down version. The night wrapped up with a three song encore ending with The Beatles’ “Come Together.”
The guys will return to the road in July and September for a small run which will also include several festival appearances. In the meantime fans can order a copy of Awake, which will be released for the first as a 2LP remastered vinyl on May 17, 2024, the album can be ordered HERE.
Godsmack Setlist:
at The Theater at MGM National Harbor, National Harbor, MD, USA
Tour: Vibez Tour Tour
Time (Pink Floyd cover)
Love-Hate-Sex-Pain
Voodoo
Turning to Stone
Spiral
One Rainy Day
No Quarter (Led Zeppelin cover)
Nothing Else Matters (Metallica cover)
Serenity
Touché
Truth
Growing Old
Lighting Up the Sky
Encore:
Under Your Scars
Bulletproof
Come Together (The Beatles cover) (with ‘Stairway to Heaven’ outro)
