Co-headlining a multinational tour, POD and Jinjer stopped in Greensboro, NC. Supporting the show this stop was Space of Variations from Ukraine and Malevolence from the UK, making POD the only American band on the bill.
The show was incredibly humbling with Space of Variations rocking hard (and making my neck sore 5 days after the show from headbanging). The pit opened early in the night for them, then closing their set, they spoke to the audience humbly thanking them for their support that night and briefly opening up about the turmoil their loved ones are facing in their home country with the current Ukraine and Russian affairs.
Malevolence was a change in their lineup this stop, hailing from Sheffield, UK. The singer reminded me of Phil from All that Remains. Ending a song with a deep guttural “blech” then very sweetly in a posh British accent thanking the audience. They connected with the audience as the houselights went out and every phone was lit up and they were lit just the same from fans.
POD came on third in the lineup. Personally, POD has a pedestal in my heart as twelve-year-old me discovered hard rock through POD, so shooting from the pit, I was geeked to be there, but I feel the feeling was mutual with the hundreds of fans singing along. Sonny has his trademark red microphone that adds to the heavy feel as he trashes around on stage and the red line whips all over. When Youth of a Nation came on, a school-aged fan joined on stage, and it really drove home the still relevant message of the song about our youth and what they’re facing. They performed a new song, not yet released, Drop. That song SLAPS! It should be releasing early in 2023, so listen for it on the radio, or catch it live on their tour. They ended their set with Alive, and that’s where I saw their christian roots as Sonny humbly was basking in the spotlight with his palms facing up, showing that what he’s singing is his truth of feeling so alive.
Jinjer ended the night and the energy in the room was electric. It was amazing to see see Tati on stage whipping her long ponytail, and hearing her live with her vocal range as she sang those deep guttural screams, high screamo screams and beautiful melodic singing all in one song. The band was bathed in yellow and blue lights all night, and their LED backdrop kept changing to blue and yellow nature scenes. A few fans were wrapped in a Ukrainian flag. In addition to just being a great night with great music, there was more in the air than just fans of metal.
POD Setlist:
Boom
Murdered Love
Rock the Party
Sleeping Awake
Soundboy Killa
Youth of a Nation
Angels and Serpents
Drop
Southtown
Alive
Jinjer Setlist:
Sit, Stay, Roll Over
Copycat
Home Back
I Speak Astronomy
As I Boil Ice
Judgement
Dead Hands Feel no pain
Vortex
Who’s Gonna Be The One
Sleep Of
Call Me Symbol
Perennial
Pisces
Captain Clock
