Seether & Skillet – Stage AE – Pittsburgh (A PopEntertainment.com Concert Review)

Updated: Oct 7

Seether, Skillet, Tim Montana & Royale Lynn – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA – September 23, 2024

Fans gathered at Stage AE in Pittsburgh for an explosive night of rock, with Seether and Skillet headlining and opening acts Tim Montana and Royale Lynn warming up the crowd. Initially scheduled for the outdoor stage, the event was moved indoors due to forecasted weather, giving the concert a more intimate atmosphere. The crowd didn’t seem to mind the change, as the venue was packed and buzzing with excitement.

The night kicked off with Royale Lynn, a rising country-rock singer who immediately caught the audience's attention, with her brand of punk attitude and country roots, aptly titled “Punktry.” Her rich voice, stage presence and original songs won over the audience that was there early.

Evidence of the audience connection was the long line of fans waiting to meet her at her merch table, many of whom probably had not heard of her until that night.

Next up was Tim Montana, who instantly won the crowd over by coming on stage donning a Franco Harris Pittsburgh Steelers jersey with the iconic number 32. Playing a gritty rock blend of songs, Montana brought a new level of energy to the stage. With his long hair flying and guitar blazing, he took command of the audience from the first song. His sound had a raw edge that fit perfectly in this lineup, and he kept the energy high throughout his set.

By the time he finished, the audience was fully amped for the night’s headliners.

When Skillet took the stage, the atmosphere in the venue shifted. Known for their mix of Christian rock and metal, Skillet delivered a show full of energy and a message of hope. Their set began with “Feel Invincible,” with lead vocalist John Cooper’s commanding presence instantly captivating the crowd.

Cooper strapped his legendary smoke cannons to his wrists to the delight of the crowd, as they rolled through “Rise” and “Surviving The Game.”

The members of Skillet never stopped moving the entire set, making the audience feel like part of the show. One highlight of their set was John Cooper’s abrupt left turn from the hard pounding rock, to deliver his testimony and faith in Jesus Christ. The band launched into the timeless “Be Thou My Vision.” It was an interesting moment to watch the crowd. Half of them came from Skillet’s unending touring in the Christian music world, and expected and reinforced the moment, and the other half that came from the rock side, respectfully remained quiet and the song pass. After this moment, the smoke, lights, and intense energy poured picked back up to the end of the set. Skillet’s ability to combine uplifting messages with hard-hitting rock made them stand out, and their passionate performance had a lasting impact.

The night closed with Seether, the South African rock band known for their grunge-infused sound. Taking the stage after Skillet was no easy feat, but Seether's darker, grungier sound provided a stark contrast that worked perfectly to close out the night.

The band kicked off with “Gasoline,” and from the first note, the crowd was completely immersed in the moody, intense atmosphere they created. Their set was filled with the dark, brooding sound that fans had come to expect. The band played a tight set, with fan favorites like “Fine Again” and “Broken,” that were crowd favorites.

Shaun Morgan’s gravelly voice carried every song, with the band’s performance being tight. Seether’s ability to balance aggression with vulnerability made their performance memorable, and by the end of the night, they had found the “Remedy” that sent the crowd how happy.

The Seether and Skillet concert was a well-rounded package of rock performances. For the fans in attendance, this was a concert that hit all the right notes, blending different styles while maintaining a consistent energy that never let up.

Skillet Setlist - Feel Invincible / Rise / Surviving the Game / Legendary / Unpopular / Awake and Alive / Hero / Whispers in the Dark / Psycho In My Head / Be Thou My Vision / Comatose / Monster / The Resistance

Seether Setlist – Gasoline / Fine Again / Broken / Country Song / Wasteland / Rise Above This / Nobody Praying for Me / Dangerous / Judas Mind / Fake It / Remedy

Dave Parsons