The Nu-Metal scene is thriving in Phoenix and it showed on Thursday October third. The day was quiet like any other, everything seemed normal. Although once you hit Phoenix, near Talking Stick Amphitheater, things changed. The traffic was slow and very busy. People were seen trying to make their way to the amphitheater. Korn was in town and they had sold out their show at Talking Stick Amphitheater.
This show was a huge deal! It was their 30th Anniversary Tour. It was the talk of the town; it was the concert of the year. Everywhere I turned I heard someone mentioning the tour and if they were going to attend or not.
Korn also brough along two amazing bands to support them. The first band of the night would be female fronted band, Spirit Box. The second band of the night is a big one that recently made huge waves in the metal world as well as history in the music and Olympic world. The band was none other than Gojira, the first metal band to play at any Olympic Ceremony!
This night was destined to be amazing and full of great memories being made. In high school and middle school I was sort of the odd kid when it came to music. Some of my friends listened to the same emo bands as me but I was the only one who really listed to metal. In my family too I was the one that listened to the heavier bands.
Korn was always on all of the playlists I made. They were a staple in my music. I remember listening to “Freak On A Leash” for the first time and it changed my world. They helped me delve into the world of Nu-Metal; a genre of music I live in.
The day of the concert, I was buzzing and wishing for the main part of the day to be over. I made people at work listen to all three bands. I was pumping up everyone, whether they were going to the concert or not.
When I got to the amphitheater, lines were forming everywhere. The Line for merch was so long and it never died down. People were coming in wearing corn costumes, there were corn hats making then Korn heads, and there were even a couple people dressed up like hotdogs, making them Korn dogs! These were my favorite that I saw.
Korn formed in Bakersfield, California in 1993. Their current line up is formed by Jonathan Davis – lead vocals/bagpipes/programming, James “Munky” Shaffer – guitar/backing vocals, Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu – bass (currently on a hiatus), Brian “Head” Welch – guitar/backing vocals and Ray Luzier – drums. They also have two members who are joining them while on tour: Davey Oberlin – keyboards and Ra Díaz – bass.
As we made our way down to the stage, you could feel and see the excitement radiating off of everyone! The stage had a kabuki sheet up; this sheet would fall off the minute the band began to perform. Korn came onto the stage and that kabuki sheet fell and confetti flew into the air as the band played their first song of the night, “Here to Stay”.
The energy was instantly high, so electric it was contagious. The audience began to mosh, headbang and sing along. Those who were against the barricade tried to push them self as close to Korn as they could. These were some of the most dedicated fans I have ever seen. Their set also included songs such as “Dead Bodies Everywhere”, “Got the Life”, “A.D.I.D.A.S.”, “Blind” and “Clown” to name a few.
Korn did such an amazing job during their set. One of the highlights was when Davis came out playing the bagpipes for “Shoots and Ladders”. The band addressed their fans constantly throughout the night. They made everyone feel special. At the end of the night it was time for them to finish their set and they saved the best songs for last. They ended their three song encore with “Falling Away From Me”, “Oildale (Leave Me Alone)” and last but not least “Freak on a Leash”.
Korn
The second band of the night was Gojira! The French heavy metal band formed in Ondres, Landes, France in 1996. The bands line up is formed by Joe Duplantier − vocals/guitar, Mario Duplantier − drums, Christian Andreu − lead and rhythm guitar and Jean-Michel Labadie − bass. They also have Aldrick Guadagnino −guitar touring with them. Joe and Mario are brothers.
This band recently made history by performing at the Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. This was such an amazing moment, and my mom even thought they were great, she does not listen to metal. This band is spiritual, philosophical and environmentally based in their lyrics and themes.
As they came out onto the stage shrouded in darkness, the audience screamed with pure joy. Their set was amazing with fantastic visuals that were appealing and eye catching, they interacted with their fans all while playing a killer set. The highlight of their set was when they performed the song they performed at the Olympics, “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)”. If you did not know Gojira, you knew this song, and let me tell you, this was a magical performance!
Gojira
The first band to open the evening was Spiritbox. I love love LOVE this female fronted band. I have had the honor of being at all their Phoenix shows since 2022. I remember when I was first introduced to this band I was mesmerized. Who doesn’t love the beautifully haunting and strong vocals of Courtney LaPlante?! Her vocals are hypnotizing and really draw the listener in.
Their set was engulfed in purple light with a purple spiral visual in the background. The band came out strong. They opened their set with “Cellar doors” followed by “Jaded”. The band was energetic and really have great showmanship for their fans and audience. They ended their set with my favorite song “Holly Roller”.
Spirit Box
Overall the concert was an amazing night and one for the metal history books. Korn will continue their tour and head to Australia when their USA leg is finished.