Author Archives: Chris Jenkins

BOSTON, MA | ‘80s American heavy metal icons W.A.S.P. brought their electrifying 40 Years Live World Tour to a sold out Big Night Live Wednesday night. The eager crowd buzzed with excitement as this tour ended a decade-long touring hiatus in the United States.

Los Angeles heavy metal act Armored Saint who also became well known in the same era as W.A.S.P. fittingly opened the night and got the crowd amped up. Vocalist Jason McMaster sounded great as he filled in for John Bush who was recovering from an illness. He was notably excited to be in the spotlight, especially in Boston where he shared his appreciation for how this city always gives the energy back to the artists. The Sandoval brothers continued to be the heartbeat of the band, both on drums and lead guitar.

W.A.S.P. frontman Blackie Lawless commanded the audience with every shout and was met with equal enthusiasm by a crowd headbanging along to their biggest hits. Blackie was joined by W.A.S.P.’s current lineup of bassist Mike Duda and guitarist Doug Blair, whose tenures in the band span 26 and 18 years respectively, along with drummer extraordinaire Aquiles Priester.

Custom sawblade guitars perfectly suited Doug Blair’s shredding as he filled the night with lengthy and passionate solos. Duda kept the energy high while shouting backing vocals and bouncing around the stage. A thunderous double bass kit was in high gear with Priester behind the drums. Led by Blackie Lawless, this lineup had Boston throwing up their horns and shouting along all night.

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BOSTON, MA | The West and East coast collided Saturday night as Los Angeles based Red Hot Chili Peppers raged a sold out Fenway Park into a frenzy long into the night.

This 2022 Global Stadium Tour is extra special for fans as it is the first time guitarist John Frusciante has toured with the band in more than a decade. Drummer Chad Smith ceremoniously struck a giant gold gong as the band opened their set with a raucous five minute long jam. Instantly RHCP were in full force, tightly connecting and bringing all of Fenway along for the ride.

Flea’s adrenaline-fueled playing and jumping around on stage made it especially evident how excited the guys were to return to Boston together as a band. During this last decade when Frusciante was away, each member had continued to play passionately with a connection to their music. Tonight that connection was still there, but it was elevated by a deeper bond found between lifelong band members.

By mixing the set list up on this tour, fans didn’t know what to expect next. The band was met with a roar from the crowd as the first few notes rang out on hits “Dani California” and “Suck my Kiss.” RHCP played songs spanning from all albums released with one of Rolling Stone top 100 guitarists of all time, Frusciante.

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MANSFIELD, MA | Boston-based Dispatch teamed up with O.A.R. to co-headline a roots rock party jam that had the audience dancing all night. More than halfway through their Summer Tour 2022, both bands are in a groove and continue to bring lots of energy as their trek continues south along the east coast.

Live concerts have been integral to the success of both Dispatch and O.A.R. and have shaped the identity of each band. Notable live album releases Gut the Van by Dispatch and Any Time Now by O.A.R. have helped propel both groups into notoriety and mainstream success.

Dispatch’s second studio album Bang Bang was recorded at Lake West Recording Studio in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. Engineer/producer Jack Gauthier was asked by TVD if he got the sense these tracks would work so well being played live. “At the time… not really. You never really know until it’s tested live for a while, but I knew they were catchy vocal hooks and rhythms.”

Some studio tracks instantly give the impression that they will be great live—like O.A.R. ‘s “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker” which they closed their set with as decks of playing cards rained down on the audience. Other songs like Dispatch’s “The General” have taken on a life of their own when played live compared to the studio version – becoming a crowd favorite anthem.

O.A.R. and Dispatch have separately sold out Madison Square Garden multiple times so playing to a large amphitheater is nothing new. In 2004, Dispatch drew over 100,000 fans to a free show at the Hatch Shell in Boston with what was thought to be their last concert. Since this infamous night, seeing a Dispatch show has always felt special because you never knew if it would happen again.

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MANSFIELD, MA | Multi-platinum band Incubus rocked the Xfinity Center amphitheater just outside of Boston Wednesday night, showcasing their collection of tight, interstellar grooves ranging from of six albums.

The night was highlighted with tracks “Warning” and “Drive” that were fully backed by the crowd in a rejoicing fashion. Throughout the night, Incubus made this audience feel like a sixth member of the band as they dropped the music at key points to shine a spotlight on the crowd’s vocals and excitement—an energy that the band was noticeably engaged with.

Incubus and Sublime wouldn’t necessarily be categorized among the same musical genres, so touring North America together might stand out to some. However, the majority of Incubus fans tend to be into the genre-fusing, reggae-ska-punk pioneers Sublime, who in turn had actually influenced Incubus. This isn’t the first time these two have played together as well. Incubus opened for Sublime in 1995 when they filmed their infamous DVD, Sublime’s 3 Ring Circus—Live At The Palace. More shared stages would follow in later years.

This summer tour is a dream bill for fans who had the unique experience in the 2000s of diving into the catalog of a trailblazing band, while also following the newly emerging Incubus as they were evolving their sound and releasing new music.

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MANSFIELD, MA | Dave Matthews Band’s 2022 tour crashed into the Xfinity Theater Friday night, playing to a packed house of die-hard fans who sang along to tracks off nine different albums from the course of the band’s 31 years together.

“This is the song we wanted them to play!” two women called out from the front row. That same energy resonated throughout the amphitheater for the remainder of the night as fans sang along to “Seek Up,” “So Right,” and “Louisiana Bayou.” Many concertgoers were unable to see their favorite band for the past few years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The whole crowd seemed to share the same strong emotional response: Dave and the guys are back!

Heather Violet cheerily told The Vinyl District that it was her milestone 100th show. “I came because I felt safe,” she said while describing how she has followed the band since 1999. As the band began their encore with a Willy Nelson cover, Dave Matthews expressed his gratitude to his devoted fans. “Tonight I hope you felt that we just had a great time with ya’ll. Thank you so much.”

Seeing Dave Matthews Band—even the 100th show—is a new experience for their fans, a reprise. For those who have a decades-long history of watching wide eyed from their seats, each opportunity to see DMB feels like no time has passed. Mike Bennet of Rhode Island attended the concert with longtime friends and shared, “A Dave concert is like seeing an old friend and picking up right where you left off…the band always delivers.”

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BOSTON, MA | Twenty One Pilots invaded the Boston Garden with an energetic and emotional performance as part of their international Takeover Tour that proudly proclaimed: “Live music is back!”

The arena was electric as Twenty One Pilots’ intensity was met—and at times exceeded—by a passionate fanbase who loudly sang their full setlist of songs spanning the band’s accomplished career. Engaging the audience, lead singer Tyler Joseph instructed each half of the arena to each sing a line from “Mulberry Street.” And in a fun feat of strength, fans from the pit supported a platform that held Josh Dun on the drums as the Twenty One Pilots’ performance reached its crescendo. It was fully evident that the band was grateful for the opportunity to perform again, and they did not miss any chance to show it. The crowd was left in a dream state as the thrill ride of a show ended with teal and pink confetti raining down.

Boston was the fourth stop on an unconventional tour that is hosted by a different city and includes four nights of concerts at venues of increasing size each night. This format simulates a mini rise to success in each city, replicating the band’s ascent to stardom and giving their dedicated fanbase this unique experience—from being feet away in a small club to filling the largest space of an arena.

The musical duo began their Boston residency at the Paradise Lounge with a capacity of 933, followed by a night at the House of Blues. Fans told The Vinyl District how they slept overnight in front of the ticket office for close to a week in advance in order to get a ticket to the Paradise Lounge show. The tour continued on at the Agganis Arena hosting 7,200 people and finished with a TD Garden crowd just shy of 20,000. The Vinyl District was fortunate to experience both the sold out show at Agganis Arena and at the legendary Boston Garden.

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MANSFIELD, MA | Grammy award winning heavy metal legends Iron Maiden thunderously rocked a sold out Xfinity Center this past Thursday evening as part of the North American leg of their “Legacy of The Beast Tour.” Each fan favorite classic from four decades of music was backed by a unique set of props and stage designs, immersing their fanbase in a thematic rock opera. A deafening roar from the crowd met frontman Bruce Dickinson’s enthusiastic calls of “scream for me, Boston!” throughout the night. Wholehearted smiles shared between bandmates were also met and shared amongst diehard fans who felt the magic of a show which appears to be a giant “thank you” for decades of devotion and success.

Beginning in Europe in 2018, Iron Maiden’s tour received remarkable acclaim from the 750,000+ fans who attended. The “Legacy of The Beast Tour” continues to roll through 33 US and Canadian cities eventually landing in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.

Iron Maiden made a jaw dropping entrance when they opened their set with, “Aces High” in a military style bunker as a huge World War II-era replica Spitfire plane rose and flew overhead. During the song, “Revelations” fans were transported to other worlds as the stage transformed into a cathedral with chandeliers and stained glass windows portraying images from their albums. A dense fog loomed throughout a haunting graveyard during one of the band’s greatest hits, “Fear of the Dark.” Fans were also treated to a sword fight between Bruce Dickinson and a ten foot tall version of the band’s mascot Eddie who was dressed as a British soldier during the track, “The Trooper.”

Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson commented, “We’ve got all kinds of crazy things going on… tons of pyro, a giant Icarus, muskets, claymores and some truly marvelous flame-throwers which I have a hell of a lot of fun with, as you will see! … I’ve had the time of my life playing with all these magnificent props on stage, it’s been fantastic, we can’t wait to bring this show to you!”

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MANSFIELD, MA | On the heels of Voyager—their 13th album released last week—multi-platinum rock band 311 entered Xfinity Center Mansfield Thursday evening under a lightning streaked sky, greeted by a wave of fans who know it’s not summer without a 311 show. The 2019 co-headlined tour with Dirty Heads is supported by Dreamers and Bikini Trill with special guests The Interrupters for more than 30 amphitheater shows held June 29 through August 20.

Their latest album Voyager is like “a captain’s log documenting our band’s ongoing voyage through musical styles, while also capturing our feelings and life experiences,” Nix Hexum has said. “311 has always been very diverse and eclectic, but on this album we take that even further. We are really stretching diversity to have both very old school heavy riff rock combined with some very modern sounds. I’m so excited to expand our palette while keeping the classic elements alive.”

The classic elements are alive and well. The night’s energy was cranked up when the band played crowd favorites “Down,” “All Mixed Up,” “Amber,” and “Homebrew,” and songs off their just released album including “What The?!,” “Stainless,” “Better Space,” and “Don’t You Worry.”

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MANSFIELD, MA | Grammy Award-winning Dave Matthews Band continued the first leg of their 2019 North American Tour on June 21, 2019, at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Mass. In support of the tour, the band released a reworking of the title track “Come Tomorrow” featuring Brandi Carlile from their latest album, Come Tomorrow (RCA Records), which debuted No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2018.

The Massachusetts crowd was buzzing with excitement as the band took the stage of the outdoor amphitheater lit by a setting sun. With the majority of the packed house being diehard fans, a crowd thrilled for the dynamic show DMB has brought for more than 28 years. The veteran band humbly took the stage without a dramatic introduction or opener. Instead, they played a passionate and energetic 19-song set well into the night.

It was almost exactly one year to the day since they last performed at Xfinity Center—many elements reminiscent of the last performance; a spirited lead singer dancing along to the music backed by a joyous band sharing continuous smiles and laughs. The most notable change this year was the setlist, which only contained three songs from their last summer performance. The Dave Matthews Band’s discography of nine studio albums equips the band to deliver a unique and personal set to each crowd along their 2019 tour.

Dave Matthews Band’s ability to deliver a personal experience at their concert was best exemplified by the experience of super-fan Ashley Gleason of Pawtucket, RI who has been to four stops along DMB’s 2019 tour already—and has two more shows to go. While living with the sudden passing of her brother Justin, the song, “Sister” which was played during their show in Mansfield held special importance to her. “To be there, at my home venue, and hear Dave play “Sister” made my heart so full. I knew Justin was there with me enjoying the show alongside me.”

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BOSTON | Acclaimed Philadelphia-based punk band The Menzingers rocked a packed House of Blues Boston crowd on the last stop of their Fall Tour 2018 with Tiny Moving Parts and Daddy Issues in support.

A crowd with more than “a little Boston in their attitude” belted out hits from the band’s decade long career. Known for their rousing live performance, The Menzingers’ ability to have a good time doing what they love shared their infectious attitude with the crowd. Songs blended with stories, vehement power cords, and harmonic melodies captivated their fans who have adopted the band’s music into their lives.

Released on Epitaph Records in 2017, their most recent album, After the Party, debuted #19 on the Billboard Top Current Albums Chart, and landed on the Alternative Press top 40 albums of 2017 list. The Menzingers debuted their new song “The Freaks” live to the Boston crowd which was released in October of 2018.

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Providence, RI | The Wonder Years “came out swinging” in Providence on the second stop of their fall tour with Have Mercy, Oso Oso, and Shortly. A band known for bringing a high level of energy and emotion to every performance was equally met by a packed house Friday night. The band opened with the title track off their latest record, “Sister Cities” which was released on Hopeless Records on April 6 of this year. This is the band’s sixth full length studio album which adds to a career containing records that range in styles described as pop-punk to indie post hardcore rock.

Lead vocalist Dan “Soupy” Campbell’s excitement to play new tracks off of the record was shown when he first addressed the crowd. “If you don’t know we’re a band called The Wonder Years. And if you don’t know, we put out an album earlier this year called Sister Cities. I’m so fucking proud of that album. This song is on it. It’s called ‘Raining in Kyoto.’”

Throughout The Wonder Year’s discography, Campbell’s lyrics have always been about human stories filled with heartache, passion, personal growth, and atonement. The ability of The Wonder Years to create songs which elucidate these themes is a big reason for their sustained success. This was especially true for fan Patryk Ilinski from Boston who excitedly awaited the performance of one of his favorite bands. The Wonder Years’ full length albums Suburbia I’ve given you all and now I’m Nothing, The Greatest Generation, and No Closer to Heaven were what got him through his college years, sharing, “They talk about their friend being hospitalized and my friend was also hospitalized at the time. They gave me songs to relate to.”

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MANSFIELD, MA | Outlaw Music Festival returned to the XFINITY Center on September 21, warmly welcoming a talented lineup of legends and legends in the making. The Festival featured Willie Nelson & Family, Sturgill Simpson, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Margo Price, Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real, and Particle Kid.

“We had so much fun on the Outlaw Music Festival Tour last year that we decided to do it again! See y’all out on the road this summer,” Willie Nelson shared in a statement with BlackBird Presents. “Family. That’s what this touring group of artists, fans, and friends are when we come together for our annual Outlaw Music Festival Tour. I am thrilled to continue this journey with Willie, this extraordinary group of performers, and Live Nation,” says Keith Wortman, CEO of Blackbird Presents.”

On stage last Friday night, frontman Nathaniel Rateliff’s talent radiated as he shared recently released material and then took a moment to honor his friend Richard Swift’s posthumous release, The Hex, and then played emotional version of “Tearing at the Seams.”

Night Sweats keyboardist Mark Shusterman notably brought joy and energy to Mansfield. His enthusiasm was so contagious that the organ fell over during the show, bringing surprised smiles to band members faces. Rateliff took the time to share his heartfelt gratitude to fans for their love and support. “Thank you for listening to us these past few years and for having us be a part of your lives,” he said.

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Grammy Award-winning Dave Matthews Band continued their North American tour on June 22, 2018, at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA. Touring in support of their ninth studio album, Come Tomorrow (RCA Records), the band will continue to travel across the U.S. and Canada finishing at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA.

As the sun began to set in Mansfield, the sold-out crowd was buzzing with excitement as the band took the stage with the song “Again & Again” from the new album. Already knowing the lyrics, die-hard fans sung along with Matthews who noticingly gave an appreciative grin. DMB transitioned into the powerful “So Right” which engaged the band as well as the crowd.

Johnny Perry, who traveled from Warwick, RI to see the show and is approaching a milestone 100th DMB concert, noticed the established connection between the band and crowd early on. “It’s been awhile since I’ve seen the band play with that kind of energy,” said Perry. “The band and the crowd were definitely feeding off of each other. I always try to get as many close friends as possible to join me for the DMB Mansfield show. Nearly 15 of us for this past show—it makes the whole experience better.”

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