Back Beat Seattle | (Photos and Review) Music as a Weapon Tour @ Yakima Valley Sundome

St. Patty’s day in the Yakima Valley turned out to be the biggest rock party the Valley has ever seen, as the Music as a Weapon tour made its way to the Yakima Valley Sundome. The bill, which featured Korn and Disturbed co-headlining and Sevendust, In This Moment and Stillwell as the opening acts, proved to make a memorable St. Patty’s day. This was the first time in 3 years Yakima has had a rock show this big come to the Sundome and the fans couldn’t have been happier.

StillWell opened the show to a short set that got the crowd pumped. The side project of Fieldy from Korn and Wuv from P.O.D. had made a stop into the 94.5 KATS studio the day before to do an in-studio interview – a first for the band and a first for myself. In This Moment was up next with a stage full of theatrics and a microphone stand covered with doll heads. Lead singer Maria Brink and company showcased a raw metal sound that can only be heard to be explained. Sevendust was up next with a the patrons going nuts for Lajon Witherspoon and company. The band had recently played the Tri-Cities last summer during the “Carnival Of Madness” tour and for them to come to Yakima was a breath of fresh air. Disturbed made their way to the stage after an impromptu encore from Sevendust. This was probably the low point for the night as David Draiman was pitchy at times during the set, especially during “Prayer.” Other than that they still know how to put on a good show, to say the least.

The moment everyone had waited for (including myself): Korn made their way to the stage kicking things of with “Blind”. Jonathan Davis’s vocals screaming “ARE YOU READY?” had the fans stomping the rafters to what felt like a mini earthquake. On top of that, what Korn concert (or St. Pattys Day) wouldn’t be complete without a little bagpipe action from Jonathan before busting into “Chutes and Ladders”? Korn never disappoints live and needless to say I still enjoy them today as I did when I was in high school.

The fact that Yakima needs more rock shows of this stature should grab the attention of bookers.

Review & photos by Xander Deccio