NJ Music Festivals

Hard rock giants Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace shook Prudential Center last night, igniting a metal-thirsty New Jersey crowd.

For a Wednesday night crowd, the arena was pretty packed. It was nice to see a solid moshpit and crowdsurfing at an arena show–it’s a rarity these days.

After opener Return to Dust kicked off the night, co-headliner Three Days Grace took the stage. Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace go pretty hand-in-hand–if you like Breaking Benjamin, you like Three Days Grace, and vice versa.

Three Days Grace, led gracefully (sorry, had to do it!) by both Matt Walst and original lead vocalist Adam Gontier, who recently re-joined the group. Gontier, performed with the group in their Camden show last May at MMRBQ Festival, really brought the group together.

The band came out to “Animal I Have Become,” arguably their biggest hit, before jumping into countless classics from the 3DG catalogue. In the middle of the set, Gontier performed a solo rendition of “Rooster” by Alice in Chains.

After a half-hour intermission, Breaking Benjamin took the stage with all kinds of swagger. The band is considered royalty in their niche of metal, and rightfully so.

With lead singer Ben Burley staying mostly in the dark due to his condition, the band’s sound carried them through the set.

The group opened to a new track, “Awaken,” which was well-received, although I think any opening track would have been appreciated by the fans. They were just ready to hear some Benjamin. 

Breaking Benjamin has not been shy of New Jersey over the years. Benjamin Burley and Co. have played over 40 shows in the Garden State, including two last year: PNC Bank Arts Center with Staind and Etess Arena by themselves.

Setlist:

1. Awakne
2. Follow
3. Blow Me Away
4. So Cold
5. You
6. Evil Angel
7. Failure
8. Red Cold River
9. Blood
10. Dear Agony
11. Dance With the Devil
12. Polyamorous
13. Without You
14. Until the End
15. Breath
16. I Will Not Bow
17. The Diary of Jane