By Mia Vilke
On September 24th, 2023, Papa Roach and Shinedown performed at Prudential Center for all of their New Jersey and New York fans. Fortunately, my friends and I had developed a cult-like passion for Papa Roach weeks before the concert by playing the song “Lifeline” repeatedly on Guitar Hero. I decided to take a shot in the dark and look up if the band had any tour dates, discovering that Papa Roach was on tour with fellow 2000s rock band Shinedown. It was one of those moments when you don’t really know what to expect, but it’s too funny not to do, so I bought five tickets.
With our Bronx to Newark route planned, me and four friends set forth, listening to their setlist on Spotify along the trip. After surviving the dreaded Penn Station floodgates, we walked over to the arena, too late to catch the opener, Spiritbox. I was immediately struck by the sheer amount of middle-aged couples that filled the Prudential Center concourse. We took a seemingly endless escalator to the upper levels and sat in our $20 seats just as lead singer Jacoby Shaddix belted “Kill the Noise.” Even though I was there mainly as a joke, Papa Roach put on an impressive show. Shaddix had crazy energy and was very engaging to watch. He jumped into the pit and waded out to the seated crowd on both sides of the stadium, all while singing stably. They closed their thirteen-song set with “Last Resort,” a classic nu metal/rap rock headbanging song that even my mom knows the lyrics to. I don’t know if I was caught up in the rock and roll of it all, but I don’t think I’ve ever screamed so much at a concert. They ended appropriately with a gritty guitar solo as my friends and I, newly minted “Baby Roaches,” waved goodbye, not knowing when we’d see them again.
Shinedown had a slightly subdued temper compared to Papa Roach, kind of like a Fall Out Boy with more of a chip on their shoulder because their songs didn’t make it on the radio. They had a solid setlist regardless. They played an acoustic version of Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle,” which I initially enjoyed for the nostalgia but quickly became tired of after an insane 8+ chorus repeats. I was not as familiar with Shinedown’s music before the concert, but I was highly anticipating them performing the song “Second Chance.” It had been my go-to shower belting song for the couple weeks leading up to the concert after I rediscovered it while going through their setlist. I had no memory of listening to it as a child but somehow, I knew every lyric. Shinedown served, for lack of a better word, and after being deeply satisfied by hearing “Second Chance” live, my friends and I made our escape back to the Newark station during the second to last song, a 9-minute “Simple Man” cover which made for a very heartwarming atmosphere with the whole venue singing along.
While I would not typically listen to Shinedown and Papa Roach’s music on the day-to-day, I found the energy somewhat intoxicating. I was happy to discover a few more 2000s edgy rock songs to add to my “don’t hit me up rn” song arsenal. I intend to see more Roach concerts in the future, partially for the bit and partially because I can’t turn down the opportunity to see someone for $20 at the Prudential Center (where I’ve paid six times the price for almost equally as bad seats). I’ll be waiting for the Songkick notification, and I’ll be ready to rock.
