It was a warm spring evening in Saint Paul last Saturday, and thousands of people poured into the Xcel Energy Center to see the annual 93X Twin City Takeover. I look forward to this show every year. As soon as we walked in, we could feel the energy building- this was going to be an incredible night of music.
The opening act was Dayseeker. I first saw this band a few years ago when they opened up for We Came As Romans at the Skyway Theater. They weren’t bad then, but it was evident that they’ve grown as a band over the last three years. Even though they were the opening act, everyone’s attention turned to the stage as they led with “Dreamstate” and “Burial Plot.” Most of their setlist featured songs from their latest release, “Dark Sun.” The crowd loved hearing “Crying Like You’re Dancing” and “Sleeptalk,” and they closed her set with “Neon Lights.” I witnessed tons of people purchasing Dayseeker merch. There is no doubt this band is gathering a larger fanbase on this tour.
As more people poured into the arena, Asking Alexandria took the stage. This British quintet opened with their 2011 hit, “Closure.” The crowd went wild as the band continued with “Alone Again” and “Down to Hell.” Frontman Danny Worsnop strode back and forth between each side of the stage, making sure everyone in the arena was paying attention to the energy from the band. He continued to belt out vocals to “Into the Fire,” “Where Did It Go?,” and “Dark Void.” As the band’s forty-minute setlist neared its end, they played two of their certified Gold singles- “Moving On” and “Alone In a Room.”
Next, I Prevail emerged from behind the stage. As the opening notes of “There’s Fear in Letting Go” dropped, Eric Vanlerberghe led their band’s performance with incredible energy. After the song, he apologized to all the fans that Brian Burkheiser wasn’t with them. Brian had surgery on his vocal cords and wasn’t able to perform yet. Although his presence was missed, the rest of the band did an amazing job covering his absence. Despite their popularity, I Prevail remained humble and grateful throughout the show, expressing appreciation for their fans’ unwavering support and sharing genuine interactions between songs. Lights danced in sync with the rhythm, as they played “Visceral,” FWYTYK,” and “Judgement Day.” One of the highlights of their set was when they played two cover songs: “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift and Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like a Hole.” Most of their setlist consisted of songs off their latest album, “True Power,” but they managed to squeeze a few older ones in toward the end of their set. “Hurricane” and “Bow Down” They closed their set with their (arguably) angriest and most aggressive song in their catalog– “Gasoline.” The pyro was intense as well as the crowd. This was my first time seeing I Prevail, but I would go out of my way to see them again.
After a much-needed intermission, the stage was set for our headliner. A massive curtain fell as Hard Rock legends, Staind, started with their single, “Lowest In Me.” This Massachusetts band’s signature blend of heavy guitar riffs and raw lyrics set the tone for a night of no-nonsense approach to music. I love listening to Aaron Lewis. He commands a crowd’s emotions like no other frontman, whether singing solo with his acoustic guitar or belting out inhuman screams. One moment he’ll have you crying and the next wanting to break something. He’s a true artist.
About half of the band’s setlist was from their latest two albums, but no one was complaining. I particularly loved their 2023 release and was pleased they played “Better Days” and “Here and Now.” Songs from their self-titled album ranged from the heavy “Eyes Wide Open” and “Not Again” to the beautiful and emotional hit, “Something to Remind You.” Lewis dedicated their song, “Wannabe” to every “shit-talking hater out there that aint done anything with their life.” You can appreciate the aggression toward online bullying even if you dislike the explicit lyrics.
The band delved into their extensive catalog of hits, including “Right Here,” “So Far Away,” and “Raw.” Much to the crowd’s delight, they played the biggest singles from their multi-platinum album, “Break the Cycle.” The crowd rocked hard to “Fade” and “For You,” and I doubt there was a silent voice in the arena as Aaron played “Outside.” His gravelly voice cut through the air, carrying the weight of emotion behind each lyric. With a couple of staple songs missing, the crowd demanded an encore. Aaron Lewis appeared out of the blue lights and fog to express his gratitude for 25 years of playing for their fans. Images of candles and flames lit up the back screen as the band performed an emotional performance of “It’s Been a While.” These rockers had to go out with a bang, so their final song was the bass-heavy and fast-paced hit, “Mudshovel.” After years of hiatus, I am so thankful that Staind is back. They have proved once again why they remain one of the most beloved bands in the genre.
