09/12/23
The Cotillion, Wichita, KS
Full Gallery HERE
The Cotillion stands as a landmark in the Wichita music community. Since 1960, countless musicians, bands, performers have taken the bandshell and put on the a multitude of the best shows, performances, and talents for audiences. Walking in the hallowed roundhouse, you can go left or right, either direction is the correct way to go as the hallway opens up to showcase the concert floor and the grand stage of the bandshell.
Post Profit from Longview, TX reminded me a little of Sevendust mixed with some Deftones and the spirit of early 00’s Hard Rock. The crowd immediately got into them, jumping and feeling the energy flow through the Cotillion, moving more and more through their set. Fun and animated through their set, they’re one of those bands that makes new fans every show they play. If you’ve never heard them before, they should be checked out as soon as possible.
Hyro the Hero took stage like a stick of dynamite, exploding with adrenaline and force. Combinations of hip hop, heavy metal, and electronic metal. Hyro spoke throughout the set, engaging with the audience, even hopping over the pit wall and joining the crowd in the mosh pit. His energy in his performance elicits memories of Evil Empire era Zach de la Rocha. There was no holding back for the Wichita crowd as Hyro gave his all throughout their set.. With recent collaborations with the likes of Mudvayne’s Chad Gray, and Disturbed’s David Draimen, Hyro the Hero will be hard-pressed to not be a pivotal voice in the Rap-Metal world. Give me the deep, penetrating boom they unleash every show, every day, I can’t wait to get the chance to see them perform again.
Dead Poet Society made their way on stage. Their hit “.CoDa.” unleashed the crowd. If you didn’t recognize them before then, you certainly were reminded of them instantly after. I know I was one of those that took notice, realizing where I’d heard their name before. They won’t soon be forgotten. The crowd came alive, moshing and crowd surfing throughout, enlightened by the dreamy rhythm rock, slowly drowning in the hard bass hits and fulfilled with a hint of blues interspersed throughout.
During their set, they stopped playing to tend to someone in the crowd getting hit in the head. She seemed okay, and security was quick to tend to her. Always good to see a band stop their set to bring attention to someone in need.
Their thorough spectrum of sound and pacing, just feels like the complete package for a show.
Up to this point, I’m thinking to myself, this is probably the closest to what I would consider a perfect show. Everything just sounded perfect, flowed, complimented and drove the night forward. Everything moved so quickly, it wasn’t long until Nothing More took the Amphitheater stage.
If one has not experienced the complete endorphin rush of a Nothing More show, said person is missing out. First seeing them several years ago, opening up for Breaking Benjamin and Shinedown at Intrust Bank Arena, they took my breath away with their short, but effective set. Several years, and albums later, they have not changed in the performance or stage show one bit. The emotional and powerful grip that they held over the crowd was mesmerizing, to say the least. Showcasing songs from all over their discography, including a new one “If It Doesn’t Hurt” from their upcoming album. A set highlighted by powerful performances of older songs like “Jenny“, “Go To War“, and “Fade In/Fade Out” (One of my personal favorites that I can’t listen to without breaking into an emotional mess). They hold a special place in my heart for the strength of their music, the honest emotion in their lyrics, and the unquenched heart and spirit that they embody on stage for their fans. I cannot wait until they are back in my backyard so I can see them again.
