St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheatre at Lakeview played host to an epic evening of music featuring three bands: Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin, and Jinjer. Opened as the Lakeview Amphitheater in 2015, the venue is perched on the shores of Lake Onondaga and boasts 5000 seats under cover in the pavilion and a capacity of another 12,500 on the lawn. Being conveniently located at the intersection of two major area highways, driving there is relatively easy and the $20 for parking seemed reasonable compared to most other similar venues. It should be noted that the geography of being between the lake and the highway dictates that the parking lot be long and narrow.  It can be a long walk to and from the stage and coming and going can take some time so plan accordingly. The staff did an excellent job moving everyone quickly and efficiently through the process.

 

As the crowd files in, they pass a plethora of food options at the top of the hill. Signs advertising cold beverages, cocktails, and nachos abound, but so do more unexpected food options from a group of food trucks inside. 

 

While the sun was still shining on a sultry evening, Jinjer took the stage and immediately commanded the attention of everyone who was astute enough to arrive on time. Hailing from Ukraine, it would be easy to dismiss them as being on the bill out of sympathy for their homeland, but that would be a huge miscalculation. They have earned every bit of time given to them on stage. 

Jinjer features a welcome sight that has become more common lately, a powerful woman fronting the band. Tatiana Shmayluk shines as the lead singer growling through her lyrics and swinging her impressively long braids in a stellar performance. Wearing an outfit of thigh-high boots, leather skirt, and crop top would melt most people on a night like this but it didn’t slow her down one bit.  Backed by a group of superb musicians on bass, drums, and guitar, the six-song set was over quickly and more would have been appreciated. A clear standout was the song ‘I Speak Astronomy’ where everyone’s talents were on clear display and Shmayluk proved that she is a talented singer. Watch this group. Great things are sure to come from them.

A quick changeover brought up Breaking Benjamin with the sun setting and dark clouds starting to form all around. Being from Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania, this was almost a hometown show so it is likely that there were friends and family in the audience. The band sure played as if that were the case and they were clearly having a good time. The first song of the set was ironically titled ‘Failure’ and it quickly gave way to ‘Breath’ where an amazing thing happened.  The audience started to sing along and clearly pleased, lead singer and group founder Benjamin Burnley,  cultivated the audience participation. There is no flash, makeup, costumes, or over-the-top theatrics. Breaking Benjamin’s performance consists of good solid rock executed to perfection. For the rest of the set, there was little interaction with the audience but the singing continued throughout and by the end, Aaron Bruch (bass) and Keith Wallen (guitar) had also taken their turns singing. A very solid performance gave way to wind and a few drops of rain but the storm never seemed to materialize as the air cooled.

the sun down, the weather no longer threatening and the two openers in the can, it was time for Disturbed. A pulsing beat over the PA system grew in intensity and gave way to a full-scale explosion of sound and fire. If only one word is allowed to describe the performance it should be fire. There were flames everywhere on stage and pulsing from the lighting rigs. The music was on fire and the crowd was white hot in their appreciation. High energy and full of visual effects, Disturbed brought the energy to eleven opening with ‘Hey You’ and ‘Stupify’. Every member was given a chance to show off with a solo and every member proved without a doubt that they are masters of their craft. Lead singer David Draiman took a moment to give an impassioned speech about lost friends, depression, and suicide awareness and prevention. An excellent cover of the Genesis song ‘Land Of Confusion’ gave way to a deep cut of ‘Hell’ and things were dialed back a bit for another cover, a very moving rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘The Sound Of Silence’. Draiman’s deep baritone carried the emotions while being accompanied by a string section, grand piano, and timpani drums.

As the show continued, Draiman showed his soft side and pulled a young fan from the pit onto the stage along with his family. The young man had been holding a guitar pick-shaped sign with the words “Pick Me” written on it. “How could I not pick him” quipped Draiman who then explained that this young man was the future of rock and it would certainly not die with people like him carrying the torch. Getting selfies with the entire band and having the sign autographed is a moment that he will not soon forget and clear enough reason to think that some of the nicest people in rock are on that stage. 

 

As the show came to a head, a standout version of the highly inspiring song ‘The Light’ had the audience singing again. A quick break led to a three-song encore that included the ubiquitous ‘Down With The Sickness’. 

 

By the end of the evening, three powerful but different bands had combined to generate an exceptional evening of music. There are still a few days of summer and a few dates left on this tour.  Enjoy both and see one of these shows if you have the chance.

Disturbed set list:

 

Hey You

Stupify

Ten Thousand Fists

Prayer

Are You Ready

Bad Man

Interlude (Suicide/Addiction Hotlines)

A Reason To Fight

Guitar Solo

Land Of Confusion (Genesis cover)

Hell

Drum Solo

The Game

The Sound Of Silence (Simon and Garfunkel cover)

Bass Solo

Indestructible

The Light

Stricken

 

Encore:

Unstoppable

Down With The Sickness

Inside The Fire

 

WRITTEN BY MATTHEW KOCHEK

PHOTOS BY KIM HANSEN @PHARMADIVER