25 years later, Hinder, Hoobastank, Seether, and Staind brought a heavy dose of nostalgia to Tinley Park, and it was clear from the opening of their set that this anniversary is just as special. The two-minute countdown before the set paid homage to a very young Staind making their album Break The Cycle, including B-footage with guitarists Mike Mushok and Dimebag Darrell. That time capsule introduced the band backstage, and Mike Mushok started the intro track to the album “Open Your Eyes.” The setlist consisted of 14 other songs, the hits, the sing-alongs, and even a few deep cuts. Ultimately ending with the magnum opus “It’s Been Awhile” and “Mudshovel.“
Seether started their set with Karma and Effect track “Because of Me,” which was the perfect choice to show how dynamic a Seether set can get. Their set included almost comically massive amp speaker stacks. not like 4×12… I mean, like the size of a queen-size mattress, and even added that cool “S” pattern we all grew up drawing everywhere. Their set shockingly featured quite a few deep cuts… All typical ingredients for this band and just a class act rock show in general. Big flashy lights, a big sound, and no real downtime… in front of 15 thousand people.
Hoobastank came out second, and they came with the pretty obvious Hoobastank standard: a good time of easy listening. They worked in the obvious songs, a few stories, and quite a few spaces to make memories, including for the bassist who invited his young son with his guitar on stage to play with them. Hoobastank had just played the same venue not too long ago, so contractually, this wasn’t an easy venture. BUT it was so worth the time slot because just for a second, they showed why the crowd was the only reason.
Hinder started this show, and with their song “All American Nightmare,” what better way to start off this crazy tour package? For a classic straight-up rock show, they definitely know how to cook the meat and potatoes. Some of the fans were still getting into the venue, but that didn’t stop any of them from singing along to their anthem “Lips of an Angel” from the security line, merch line, and walk lanes; even the line from the bathroom had at least a few people singing “It’s really good to hear your voice-“
There’s no denying how successful this tour has been. Every band brought something different to the stage, but they all killed it in their own way. More than anything, this tour has been a hell of a nostalgic trip for anyone who grew up with these bands. Getting to hear these songs again, surrounded by thousands of people who grew up on the same music, is a pretty damn good way to relive some of the best memories from growing up — whether that was blasting these songs in the car, listening to them through a bedroom wall, or finding some comfort in them during harder parts of life. These four bands have songs that grew alongside an entire generation, and seeing them come back around for the 25th anniversary of Staind’s Break the Cycle.
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