HUNTINGTON, WV – The venerable rock/metal outfit Disturbed brought their “Take Back Your Life, Part 2” tour to a stop at the Mountain Health Arena in Huntington, WV. To me, it was a special “day after Valentine’s Day” treat. The lineup boasts tour mates Falling in Reverse and Plush as support. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Falling in Reverse was unable to perform, leaving Plush as the sole opener.
This situation gave the band an opportunity to extend their slot a bit, going from a half-hour set to a forty-five-minute set. As the band entered the stage, they wasted no time in engaging the audience. As per usual with the opening slot, there’s little glitz and glamour to it—basic lighting and such—but the quartet threw down a powerful and rocking set, making their mark on the eager audience. Led by the powerhouse vocals of Moriah Formica, who commands the stage with her magnetic presence throughout their 11-song set.
The band, rounded out by bassist Ashley Suppa, guitarist Bella Perron, and drummer Faith Powell, whose ages range from 18 to 22, are talented beyond their years. Their sound, a fusion of gritty rock with hints of blues and soul, resonated deeply with concertgoers, drawing them in with every riff and rhythm. They work as a cohesive unit, exuding joy in just being there in the moment, playing off each other and the audience while getting everyone engaged. This is my second time seeing them live. The first time was when they opened for Halestorm and Evanescence in 2021. I was so blown away by their set that I immediately purchased their debut album and still enjoy it today.
From the first song, “Athena,” Plush delivered a setlist filled with anthemic tracks that ignited the crowd’s enthusiasm. Songs like “Champion” and “Run” had fans on their feet, fists pumping in the air. Their cover of Heart’s hit song “Barracuda” was a crowd favorite, as Moriah’s voice is spot on. Added to extend their set was a cover of Alice In Chains’ “Man In The Box,” which boasted the intensity the song was originally written with. They played songs from both their debut and their recently released EP, “Find The Beautiful.”
This was the first experience many concertgoers I spoke with had with Plush and their music. All were impressed and/or blown away. I highly recommend discovering their music and especially their live show. They continue on with Disturbed through March and will embark on a headlining tour in support of their new EP in April-June of this year.
Follow Plush on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
As the audience prepared for Disturbed to take the stage, the excitement in the room was palpable. The stage front was adorned with a white curtain, behind which the band shadow played, with the lighting casting shadows of the members until the music hit and the curtain dropped. David Draiman’s powerful vocals soared through the arena, commanding attention and drawing fans deeper into the heart of each song. The band’s stage setup was awe-inspiring, with tilting fire bars and LCD lights that danced throughout their set. Draiman, dressed in a long, black leather trench coat, stalked the stage, acknowledging the crowd as he paced back and forth, stopping regularly with his foot upon the monitors.
Disturbed wasted no time in captivating the audience with their signature blend of hard-hitting riffs, haunting melodies, and raw emotion. Guitarist Dan Donegan’s blistering solos, along with bassist John Moyer and drummer Mike Wengren, created an atmosphere charged with raw energy and intensity. Each member had their own respective time to shine, with solos that highlighted their talent. Disturbed is a band for their people; they are dedicated to their fans as their fans are dedicated to them. They entertain as they work the stage, with Draiman addressing them as if having a conversation with old friends. Disturbed connects with their fans on a deeper level, sharing personal anecdotes and expressing gratitude for their unwavering support over the years. It was clear that this was a celebration of their journey and a testament to the unbreakable bond they share with their dedicated fanbase.
Opening their 18-song set with “Hey You” and “Stupify,” they delivered a flawless performance that spanned their 20-plus-year career. Their intense covers of Genesis’ “Land of Confusion” and a passionate rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence,” which saw the piano that Donegan played set ablaze as they were joined by additional musicians, including a two-woman string section. Their new single, “Don’t Tell Me,” which on the studio recording features Heart’s Ann Wilson, saw the slight return of Moriah Formica to cover her parts. If you closed your eyes, you could hear the similarities between the two singers.
Prior to their song “The Light,” fans were pulled on stage to share their stories of struggle and inspiration. David Draiman, to me, seems to be a humanitarian interested in seeing people triumph and overcome their demons. The choice to pull people up on stage for that song highlighted the range of emotions we had all been going through during the course of the night and reminded us that we are never alone in our struggles and joys in life. This song closed out the main set. As the band exited the stage, the audience excitedly waited for their return.
For the encore, they opened with “Unstoppable” from their “Divisive” album. They again electrified the audience as they continued with their most recognizable hit, the classic anthem “Down with the Sickness,” which, prior to them starting the song, saw Draiman stop the initial intro as a fan was being put on a stretcher to be wheeled out. I don’t know the details, but Draiman fist-bumped him and wished him well. They ended the night with “Into The Fire.”
Overall, it was a night to remember for many reasons, and I would highly recommend anyone thinking of attending a show on this tour to just go and do it. It’s definitely a rad experience to see such talent while also using the music to work through anything that may be going on in your life. The tour runs through early March, and the band has a date booked for the “Louder Than Life” festival in September.
Follow Disturbed on Facebook, Instagram and X.*********************
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