It’s not often you get a second chance to experience the exact same tour just one week apart—but I did. After catching opening night in Ridgedale, Missouri, I found myself right back at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St. Louis for round two. Seeing the same lineup twice gave me a unique perspective. Instead of relying on first impressions, I got to watch artists settle into the tour, performances evolve, and small details become impossible to ignore. Some acts exceeded every expectation. Others changed my mind. And a few confirmed exactly what I thought the first time around.
Jayden Hammer kicked off the evening, and after seeing this tour twice, the growth in her performance was impossible to miss. Opening night in Ridgedale felt rough. She walked out with a turntable and a guitar, and the set never seemed to find its footing. Honestly, it felt like both the audience and Jayden were trying to figure out exactly what the performance was supposed to be.
Fast forward one week to St. Louis, and it was clear she’d already made noticeable progress. The set flowed more naturally, and she incorporated more of her live vocals and guitar work while introducing herself to a much larger audience. It’s still very much a work in progress, but if she had her band versus a turntable, I think the outcome would be a bit different.
Considering she reportedly had only a few days to prepare before joining this tour, she deserves credit for how quickly she’s adapted. She’s not a finished product yet. Stay tuned—it’ll be interesting to see where her set is by the end of the tour.
STATICA wasn’t something I instantly connected with. The first time I saw it, I spent most of the set trying to figure out what I was even watching. I think everyone has felt the same way this entire tour so far.
Some of the instrumental passages are genuinely interesting and could evolve into something really special. I don’t think the concept is working as they imagined because, unless you’re up close, you don’t realize the actual band is performing behind the screens. At least with the heavy use of vocal effects, M. Shadows can still have a musical outlet where his tarnished voice still works.
It’s definitely not for everyone, and I completely understand why so many fans have reacted negatively online. But after experiencing it twice, I walked away knowing those are the only two times I’ll ever listen to it.
Good Charlotte is FINALLY back, and they sound better than ever.
Joel and Benji Madden still have their swagger, and vocally, Joel sounded as pristine as he does on the records. The entire band was locked in from the first note, delivering a performance that felt polished, energetic, and genuinely fun. This wasn’t a nostalgia act collecting a paycheck; it was a band reminding everyone why they’ve remained relevant for nearly 30 years.
We caught this tour on opening night in Ridgedale, Missouri, and again last night in St. Louis. After seeing it twice, one thing became crystal clear: Good Charlotte carried the entire tour package. They set the standard with the strongest vocals, tightest musicianship, and the most engaging performance of the evening. Every song landed, every chorus became a singalong, and the energy never dipped.
If there was ever any question whether Good Charlotte still had it, this tour answers it emphatically. They don’t just belong on this lineup—they make a compelling case that they’re ready to headline one.
Avenged Sevenfold closed the night with the massive production and musicianship fans have come to expect. Their interactive QR-code light show was one of the evening’s coolest surprises, turning thousands of audience phones into part of the performance and creating several genuinely magical moments.
Instrumentally, the band remains as tight as ever, and the visual production was flashy for sure. Vocally, however, M. Shadows no longer has the range and consistency longtime fans remember. His performance felt raw rather than polished, and while his stage presence never faded, the vocals often lacked the power that once defined Avenged Sevenfold’s live shows.
Despite those criticisms, it’s impossible to ignore the passion of the band’s fanbase. Every lyric was met with deafening singalongs, raised fists, and unwavering enthusiasm. For many in attendance, this was the concert they’d been waiting years to see.
Personally, after seeing this tour twice, I walked away with the same conclusion both times: Good Charlotte delivered the strongest overall performance of the night. They sounded phenomenal, played with infectious energy, and left me feeling like they were the true headliner.
Avenged Sevenfold still delivered a visually spectacular show, but for me, Good Charlotte was the performance I’m still talking about.
Melissa O’Rourke aka WickedWitchofSTL is a jack of all trades. By day she’s an established tattooist and piercer, by night a mother to her amazing son (who is a hell of a guitarist). Melissa has a musical background and can often be found at a local karaoke joint, or a concert when she’s not driving across the country for an adventure. This social butterfly always welcomes conversation so come say hi! See y’all at the next gig!
