On February 1st, 2010 in Lexington, KY there was only one place to be; Rupp Arena. Those lucky to be in attendance witnessed an event that fits in perfectly with the great history of Rupp. People from all over the Bluegrass and the surrounding states came ready to rock out to the three groups performing; Flyleaf, Breaking Benjamin, and Three Days Grace.

Flyleaf kicked off the three hour show with a bang, starting with their second single “Fully Alive” from their debut album. If you haven’t seen them live, then figure out where they’re going to be playing and drive yourself to see them. As an opening band, and in charge of getting the crowed pumped and ready for the next two groups (Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace), Flyleaf did an amazing job. Throughout their entire set they showed just what makes them a great live band. They bring an amount of energy seldom seen, which transfers to the crowd very easily.

The surprising thing with Flyleaf are the members of the band which tend to be the center of attention. Traditionally, the lead vocals in the band is usually the performer with the most energy and stage presence. With Flyleaf however, that is not the case. Their bassist, Pat Seals, seemed to be the life of the band. He was running around, jumping off speakers, head banging, and everything that a vocalist normally does. Lacey Mosley, the lead vocalist, still did move around and have good stage presence, but the energy of the other members adds so much to the overall experience of Flyleaf live. While really enjoying watching and listening to Flyleaf play their hits and songs from their new album, “Memento Mori”, there was one thing that was hindering their entire performance from being even better. Sameer Bhattacharya, one of Flyleaf’s very talented guitarists, has no rhythm in him, at least when it comes dancing to the music. His moving was almost a distraction. While you try to avoid looking at him to watch the overall performace, you couldn’t help it – your eyes were drawn to him.

Flyleaf played a great show which included all of their biggest songs. I’ve never listened to them before except for when they get played on the radio station I listen to. I always heard that they’re good, but have never given them the chance to wow me. Flyleaf is great live, and I really enjoyed all their songs they played in their set. If you get a chance, go see them and pick up their albums as well.

Breaking Benjamin took the stage after a brief pause following Flyleaf. Before the stage lights came on, you could see four people walking out onto stage, and the crowd started to erupt. Right as they started playing their opening song “I Will Not Bow,” the lights came on and the crowd grew even louder. Watching the crowd on the floor was like watching a field of tall grass sway in the wind; heads, arms and bodies all moving in one rhythmic motion to the beat of Breaking Benjamin’s songs. As a little surprise for people who had not seen the set list from other shows, Breaking Benjamin at the mid point of their set did their own rendition of “Dream On” with images of different musical legends that had died before their time flashing on the screen behind them. I started getting very excited when Burnley (lead singer) started talking about their first CD, Saturate, and hoped they would be playing a song from my favorite CD of theirs. They answered my prayers by playing “Polyamorous.”

Breaking Benjamin finished their set with their two huge singles, “Breath” and “Diary of Jane,” both from their third CD. I knew both of these songs were big hits for them, but I didn’t realize that people in their 50s knew the songs as well. I can understand that there were parents at the concert with their kids, but to see couples there that are old enough to be my parents enjoying the music and singing along was really strange to see. What makes it strange for me is that my whole life my parents have never liked the music I listen to, so seeing people the same age as my parents enjoying hard rock is a real treat for me, but still a little out of the ordinary.

With the completion of this concert, I’ll have seen Breaking Benjamin a total of ten times. All of the chances I have had to see them have taken places in small venues, where the crowd only goes to about 300 people. I saw them at the first Rock on the Range in Columbus, OH and now Rupp Arena. Being a huge Breaking Benjamin fan, I have never been disappointed with their performances. They always put on a great show. I do prefer seeing Breaking Benjamin in a small concert venue though. Their talents shine even more at smaller venues, not quite the size of Rupp Arena. That said, they put on a great show at regardless the size of venue; big or small.

With the roar of a siren, Three Days Grace took the stage and started their set with “Break,” the first single off their new album. After finishing one of my favorite drumming songs of all time, “Bitter Taste,” the band left the stage except for their drummer, Neil Sanderson, and he jumped right into an intense drum solo. He started out with something no one was expecting; techno music. He was standing up playing a techno beat on a keyboard. I’ve never been a techno fan, because quite frankly, that music really annoys me for some reason. So as this techno beat continued I was a little confused and disappointed. I didn’t want to hear this at a rock concert. Just as I was starting to get upset, the drummer started banging on a bongo. As the bongo drumming continued over the techno beat, I found myself bobbing my head to the beat and really enjoying it. Then with both of those beat continuing on without him playing, he turned and grabbed his drum sticks and started a great drum solo. While at first I was a bit confused, I really like how it all panned out.

As I’m sure any Three Days Grace fan knows, Adam Gontier performed with Apocalyptica in the song, “I Don’t Care.” The band had cleared the stage after finishing up “Home” and the arena was thrown into darkness. After a few minutes, a lone spot light illuminated Gontier, standing in the middle of the pit by the mix boards on top of a box. With that they began playing “I Don’t Care” and as they played the song, Gontier slowly walked up to the stage through the crowed till the big ending of the song. Just as Breaking Benjamin did with “Dream On”, Three Days Grace covered a song that wasn’t theirs, doing their own version of “In The Air Tonight,” but seamlessly transforming it into “Just Like You.” 3DG finished their set, and the concert, with “Animal I Have Become.” The first rock concert of 2010 for Rupp was a great show, and if it is any indicator of what to expect for the year, then get ready for a year of some great rock.

Guest Blogged by: Kyle Jessee
Photography by: Paul Hooper