Concert Review: Shinedown and Three Days Grace Rock Daytona’s Welcome to Rockville
Nearly 70,000 attendees flocked to the Daytona Beach International Speedway on a scorching Thursday to witness an unforgettable night filled with rock and metal legends at Welcome to Rockville, North America’s premier rock festival.
The event began with performances by indie standout Royale Lynn, hardcore sensation Big Ass Truck, and metal aficionados Frozen Soul. Nostalgia hit hard when Saving Abel graced the stage, delivering fan-favorites like “Drowning (Face Down),” “18 Days,” and the iconic “Addicted” from their 2007 debut album. Finger Eleven transported the crowd back in time with their crisp vocals on “Above” from their debut Tip, while their hit song “Paralyzer” brought a contagious groove to the audience.
Michigan metalcore group Of Virtue made their Rockville debut, firing up the crowd with tracks from their latest album, Omen, including hits like “Sinner,” “Cut Me Open,” and “Cold Blooded.” Crossfade, known for their musical comeback this year, excited fans with a set filled with classics from their 2004 self-titled album, such as “Cold,” “Colors,” and “The Deep End.”
Hardcore acts like The Acacia Strain, Shadow of Intent, and Until I Wake delivered pulse-pounding performances, while Theory of a Deadman took concert-goers on a trip down memory lane with hits from their album Scars & Souvenirs and The Truth Is. The Pretty Reckless captivated the crowd later in the evening, with frontwoman Taylor Momsen’s powerful vocals echoing through the venue as they opened with “Death by Rock and Roll” and “Follow Me Down.”
Halestorm’s performance was a highlight of the night, with frontwoman Lzzy Hale’s commanding presence on stage as she shredded the guitar and belted out favorites like “Uncomfortable” and “Familiar Taste of Poison.” The band’s new track, “Darkness Always Wins,” showcased their evolution as artists, while Hale’s brother, Arejay, stole the show with an electrifying drum solo.
As darkness fell, metalcore acts like Fit For A King, From Ashes To New, We Came as Romans, and Trivium revved up the energy in anticipation of Three Days Grace’s highly-anticipated reunion. The band, now fronted by Adam Gontier, kicked off the set with the iconic “Animal” from the album One-X. Gontier and co-vocalist Matt Waist mesmerized the crowd with flawless harmonies, leading into hits like “So Called Life” and “The Mountain.”
Gontier took a moment to reflect on his departure and return to the band, expressing gratitude for the journey and the enduring support of fans. Three Days Grace’s performance was a tribute to the missing 3 Doors Down, as Gontier asked the audience to send positive vibes to frontman Brad Arnold battling Stage 4 kidney cancer.
As Shinedown closed out the night with their headline performance, the Jacksonville rockers brought an explosive energy to the stage. Frontman Brent Smith’s powerful vocals rang out as they launched into hits like “Dance, Kid, Dance” and “A Symptom of Being Human.” Smith’s heartfelt plea for unity and acceptance resonated throughout the audience, creating a powerful moment as fans illuminated the night sky with their cell phones and lighters.
Without a doubt, night one of Welcome to Rockville was a sensational showcase of rock and metal talent, leaving attendees eagerly anticipating what the rest of the festival had in store.