Staind

Staind fans got their fix last Friday, September 19th, as the band’s fall tour stopped at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City. Limited to only seven nights across the US, the two-week string of performances proved just how dedicated their fans are. With thousands of fans pouring in from all over the tri-state area, the room was packed wall to wall before Staind took the stage.

Their opener, Lakeview, a country-rock duo from Pittsburgh, received a very warm welcome from the audience and drove the energy through the roof with their set. Playing their hits such as “Home T eam” and “Son of A ”, Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy commanded the room and raised anticipation for the night ahead, as they jumped on speakers and sang at the top of their lungs.

As Staind made their way on stage and their banner dropped, the crowd erupted in cheers, seeing their longtime favorite band. Made up of Aaron Lewis (vocals) , Mike Mushok (guitarist), Johnny April (bassist), and Sal Giancarelli (drummer), the 20-year-old band from Springfield, Massachusetts, has created a lasting legacy for fans spanning several generations. Opening with “Lowest in Me”, from their most recent album Confessions of the Fallen, fired the audience up immediately as they began screaming the lyrics alongside Lewis, with Mushok and April matching the energy with their instruments.

Staind’s setlist spanned their years and genres, including beloved tracks such as “So Far Away” and “Right Here”. An acoustic cover of “Outside” was also included, lit up with just two spotlights on the stage, giving the perfect intimate break for Lewis to interact with the audience. With a balanced mix of their classic sound and a fresh project, the band curated the perfect evening, allowing fans to revel in nostalgia and catch some new favorites they might have found on the album.

Closing out on the last notes of “For You”, the crowd began chanting for an encore, as they knew what would come next. Stepping out on the stage for the last time, “It’s Been Awhile” begins playing, as Lewis gets everyone singing in unison to their longtime chart-topper from 2001, and keeps the energy for their final song “Mudshovel”, giving the show an explosive close. From start to finish, Staind’s show was nothing short of incredible. They played through their catalog flawlessly and left New Jersey fans wanting more.