- Staind & Breaking Benjamin – PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ – September 16, 2024
- Review & Photos by Lori Schneider (IG: @LoriSchneiderPhotography)
- Breaking Benjamin and Staind’s 2024 co-headline tour with special guests Lakeview kicked off on September 10th and made it’s way to New Jersey. The tour runs through October 25th.
- The lineup brings together two powerhouse bands. Both bands brought the classic hits and newer material to the stage. Meanwhile, Breaking Benjamin, known for their chart-topping tracks like “Red Cold River”,” continued to captivate fans with their signature mix of hard-hitting rock and emotional depth. The show definitely brought the energy and nostalgia, making it appealing for longtime fans and new listeners alike. Lakeview’s inclusion as direct support added another layer of excitement, as they brought their own blend of country rock to the tour.
- Lakeview
- Lakeview is a rising country-rock duo consisting of Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy, blending elements of country, rock, and pop in a unique and energetic style. Both artists share a deep love for country music and a background in metal, which gives their sound an edge and raw energy. Their songs often capture themes of resilience, hard work, and living life to the fullest (blue collar country music).
- They have an ability to mix catchy anthems with heartfelt lyrics. Their music is known for blending heavy guitars, country soul, and a pop-rock vibe, with influences from artists like Randy Travis, Don Williams, and modern country acts like Florida Georgia Line and Jordan Davis.
- Lakeview’s music showcased a variety of moods, from party anthems to more introspective songs. It merged southern rock swagger, metal-inspired guitar riffs, and country storytelling, pushing the boundaries of genre conventions.
- The setlist included:
- Hits Different
- LOSER
- Money Where Your Mouth Is
- What I Know Now
- Neon Nightmare
- See Me In A Suit
- By Now
- Rock Bottom
- Drink With My Friends
- Lips Of An Angel (Hinder cover)
- Home Team
- Son Of A
- Lakeview can be found online at www.lakeviewofficial.com and on Instagram @lakeview.
- Breaking Benjamin
- Breaking Benjamin’s music blends post-grunge, hard rock, and alternative metal, creating a sound defined by heavy guitar riffs, atmospheric melodies, and emotionally intense lyrics. Their songs often feature a balance between aggressive, distorted instrumentation and melodic, introspective moments. This dynamic helps convey themes of personal struggle, inner conflict, and emotional vulnerability.
- Breaking Benjamin’s sound includes heavy guitar riffs and layers and emotive vocals. Lead singer Benjamin Burnley’s vocal style ranges from haunting, clean melodies to intense, aggressive growls. His delivery adds emotional depth to their songs, often portraying pain, isolation, or anger. Lyrically, Breaking Benjamin tends to focus on themes of self-reflection, inner demons, and perseverance, reflecting Burnley’s own struggles with health and personal issues. Overall, their music is known for connecting with listeners on an emotional level while delivering the intensity of modern rock.
- The setlist included:
- Failure
- Until the End
- Red Cold River
- Evil Angel
- Blow Me Away
- Follow
- So Cold
- Dance With the Devil
- Crawl
- Breath
- Polyamorous
- Without You
- Dear Agony
- I Will Not Bow
- Had Enough
- The Diary of Jane
- Breaking Benjamin can be found online at www.breakingbenjamin.com and on Instagram @breakingbenjamin.
- Staind
- Staind’s music is a blend of post-grunge, alternative metal, and nu-metal. Known for their emotionally charged lyrics and raw, heavy sound, the band often explores themes of pain, loss, and inner struggles. Their most known hit, “It’s Been Awhile,” combines gritty vocals with introspective lyrics, creating an emotional depth that connects with listeners on a personal level.
- Staind’s music features both heavy guitar riffs and softer, acoustic elements. Songs like “Outside” showcase their ability to switch between powerful distortion and vulnerable melodies. Lead singer Aaron Lewis’s voice carries a haunting, guttural tone that conveys a sense of personal turmoil, often drawing from his own experiences with depression and addiction.
- Their sound has evolved over the years, moving from the raw intensity of earlier albums to a more polished, melodic approach in later works. Their 2023 album Confessions of the Fallen (8th studio album) incorporates modern production while staying true to their core emotional weight, blending hard rock with introspective lyrics.
- The setlist included:
- Lowest in Me
- Eyes Wide Open
- Fade
- Right Here
- Not Again
- Here and Now
- Something to Remind You
- Raw
- Outside
- Wannabe
- Better Days
- So Far Away
- For You
- Encore:
- It’s Been Awhile
- Mudshovel
- Staind can be found online at www.staindofficial.com and on Instagram @staindofficial.
Staind & Breaking Benjamin – PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
