By Bryan McCabe
Let me start by saying this: if you ever get the chance to see Beartooth live, drop everything and go. This band isn’t here to mess around; they’re here to deliver a full-on sonic assault, and leave you breathless and wanting more.
Starting off the show for the sold out crowd in Madison, WI was Sleep Theory. When they emerged, led by the charismatic vocalist Cullen Moore, the energy crackled. Moore commanded the stage with a captivating presence, his voice a powerful instrument that soared effortlessly through the packed room. This is a band hungry to prove itself, and their passion was infectious.
Next up was Invent Animate.The band’s musicianship is nothing short of phenomenal. The guitars danced across complex riffs with surgical precision, bass lines rumbled like thunder, and their drummer pounded out a relentless rhythm that pulsed straight through your body. But the true star of the show was vocalist Marcus Vik. He effortlessly transitioned between soaring cleans that sent shivers down your spine and guttural screams that shook the walls.
The Plot In You took the stage next as they steered the crowd through a cathartic journey through the darkest corners of the human psyche, led by the ever-magnetic Landon Tewers. His voice live is a revelation. The studio recordings capture the raw power, but in person, the vulnerability and pain in his vocals come through with a gut-wrenching intensity. Every growled verse and soaring chorus felt delivered straight from his soul, and the crowd responded in kind. The Sylvee pulsed with a shared energy, a sea of bodies swaying and headbanging in unison. The beauty of The Plot In You is the dynamic between their heavy breakdowns and introspective melodies.
The energy filling the room as the restless crowd awaited Beartooth to hit the stage was palpable. Caleb Shomo, frontman extraordinaire, is a whirlwind of raw emotion, who, with the rest of Beartooth, wasted no time kicking the room into high gear with the opening screams of “Sunshine”. Shomo pours his heart and soul into every song, his vocals alternating between soaring cleans and gut-wrenching screams. The rest of the band is equally tight, churning out a wall of sound that’s both brutal and catchy.
The setlist was a perfect blend of old and new, with crowd favorites like “In Between” and “Disease” getting the whole venue moving. They also threw in some tracks from their latest album, which adds a welcome layer of freshness to the performance. The production value of the show was equally impressive, with a light show that complemented the intensity of the music. Strobes, lasers, and a barrage of flames added a visual dimension to the auditory onslaught, creating a multi-sensory experience that engulfed the audience.
One of the things that truly sets Beartooth apart is their ability to connect with the audience. Shomo isn’t afraid to be vulnerable on stage, sharing stories and experiences that resonate with fans. This creates a sense of community, a feeling that we’re all there together, united by the music. By the end of the set, the entire crowd was a sweaty, euphoric mess. Everyone was hoarse from screaming, muscles sore from moshing, but faces were etched with pure joy. Beartooth is a band that delivers an unforgettable live experience. If you’re looking for a concert that will leave you feeling exhilarated and alive, then don’t miss them.
