Chevelle and Three Days Grace made their way to one of Chicago’s most iconic music venues, The Aragon Ballroom, on September 13. For Chevelle, this was a homecoming, as the band are from the northern suburbs and did the hometown show out for one of the greatest rock bands to hail from Illinois.
Loathe started the night out to about a half-packed Aragon. I’m almost positive everyone was stuck on I-90 in the construction currently going on. Loathe are an English heavy metal band led by lead vocalist Kadeem France. While still relatively new to the States, the band have been nominated for numerous heavy metal awards in the U.K. Loathe got everyone warmed up with their intense screaming from Kadeem and backing vocalist and guitarist Erik Bickerstaffe.
I’d say it was a pretty even split between Three Days Grace fans and Chevelle fans, and the 3DG fans definitely made their voices heard when the band took the stage. After the departure of Adam Gontier, I feel like most were concerned with the direction Three Days Grace would head, but Matt Walst has done a phenomenal job, I feel, living up to the name of the band that most grew up with and blasted in their stereos. He does a wonderful job belting out the original 3DG favorites such as “I Hate Everything About You,” “Never Too Late,” and “Animal I Have Become.”
One thing I thought was incredible to see that I haven’t seen done before by any band was they invited a couple of fans on stage to sing “Just Like You.” I’ve personally have only ever seen fans get invited up to play guitar, so it was cool to see the band get fans engaged in another aspect.
For me, this was at least the fifth time I’ve seen Chevelle perform, and as sure as the sun shines, they continue to deliver an energetic performance from beginning to end as they’ve done since the late ’90s.
This is the first time that I’ve seen the Loeffler brothers with their new touring bassist Kemble Walters. Most probably don’t know, but Chevelle have been a family affair from the beginning, which I think is one of the most unique aspects of the band and the formula for their longevity. Originally with Pete and Sam was their brother Joe on bass. After Joe departed, their brother-in-law, Dean Bernardini, stepped in in 2005 and would stick with the band until 2019 when he decided to step away and focus on his family.
The trio played hits throughout their entire discography including favorites such as “The Clincher,” “The Red,” “Face to the Floor,” and “Vitamin R.” I think one of Chevelle’s keys to success has always been their consistency within their music. Many times you’ve seen bands veer from their original genre and go in complete opposite directions, whereas Chevelle have always provided that consistent nu-metal/alternative rock sound that has always kept fans engaged.
The passion they put into each one of their shows is something that any fan must see. From beginning to end, Pete and Sam put in the same effort into their shows and music as they’ve done for the past 20-plus years. I can’t wait to see them again and anxiously await their 10th studio album that is currently in the works.
Be sure to catch them at one of their upcoming 19 shows through October 14. I can promise that if you’re a Chevelle or Three Days Grace fan, you won’t regret it.
Chevelle
Three Days Grace
Loathe
