“Why does he have to scream?” my mum once disapprovingly commented, while being subjected to the music of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana.
My mum doesn’t like loud music. It’s unlikely my mum would’ve enjoyed Monday night at the Newport. But Monday night at the Newport wasn’t meant for Elvis-loving mums, Monday night at the Newport was meant for the masses of metal-loving mosh-pit enthusiasts that came out in force.
It was a chilly evening of watching a testosterone-soaked bill of five bands, who turn aggression into music and music into the power to make hair, fists and random body parts lose their self control, all throughout a very cramped Newport Music Hall.
Alternative metal veterans Sevendust were the main draw as headliners for the evening, and Lajon Witherspoon and friends didn’t disappoint as the band unloaded 20-plus years of nu metal onto the welcoming crowd.
Support for the evening came from the equally loud and angry talents of Tremonti, Cane Hill, Lullwater and Kirra.
Matt Ellis is a freelance photographer who covers bands that visit the city and the Columbus Crew MLS team. More about Matt can be found at Matt Ellis Photography.
