Sevendust hardly moves crowd

The moment the Electric Factory opened its doors to the Sevendust concert January 28, people seemed very calm and tranquil, not something expected from a crowd at a hard rock show. When the lights went out and opening act Wicked Wisdom came on stage, the answer was clear why there was little excitement in the building.

Wicked Wisdom, with singer Jada Pinkett Smith (wife of actor Will Smith), came on stage as though they were on top of the world. Smith appeared before the crowd with the infamous devil horns in the air and her tongue sticking out like Gene Simmons (just not as large). The crowd seemed to take this as a mockery of their lifestyle, and they began to chant “We want Will!” It was a relief when Wicked Wisdom’s set finally concluded.

Opening act Socialburn took to the stage and also had little appeal to the crowd. Their music was dry and boring, and there was little originality to their music.

Finally the crowd awoke and the Electric Factory finally fired up. Nonpoint exploded onto the stage with a stupefying show. Their aggressive playing style appealed to a crowd who just wanted to maul people in the pit. The bands’ front man, Elias Soriano, was a man possessed on stage. He soared about the stage to pump the crowd for the show.

While Socialburn played a short set, they made every minute count. The band’s final song “A Bullet with a Name on It” was the song the crowd had been waiting for. With its catchy lyrics and belligerent sound, the fans used the song to fulfill their mission to batter one another in the pit.

In a previous interview with Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose, he said that the stage set at the Electric Factory show was to be something not many bands have tried before. Rose said it should be a surprise to all.

The set consisted of a ramp that wrapped around the drummer and light pillars that wrapped around the back of the stage. Nothing too amazing, but different than previous Sevendust tours.

Before the band came on stage the lights went out and a country music song played as fans waited. As the song ended the curtain dropped and Sevendust stormed the stage firing away at the crowd. Their performance was explosive and exciting, but it still lacked something.

The pit wasn’t as big as it was for Nonpoint, and the connection with the audience was definitely lacking.

Overall the entire show wasn’t as good as expected. Wicked Wisdom’s performance was appalling (it would have been better with Will on stage). I learned that Socialburn is a good band to listen to when you’re trying to go to bed. Nonpoint was incredible, and Sevendust was good, but only good. They weren’t great, or spectacular, or anything more.

Dan Cappello can be reached at dancaps@temple.edu.