4U

Per usual, I spent an absurd amount of money to see Korn, so it was off to Philly I go. I could have gone to the Korn show at the Prudential Center, but I mistakenly thought the other New Jersey date was at PNC, which is very difficult to reach by public transportation compared to all the venues outside of NYC. I've visited Philadelphia many times with Danny, but we never had the opportunity to take proper photos because it always rains when we visit. Fortunately, this weekend was clear and sunny, with temperatures in the low 80s, so I was hopeful we'd finally accomplish a few things on my Philly itinerary. However, I wish it had cooled down more because it was still humid.

On the day of the show, everything started out great. We boarded our Amtrak train, which arrived in Philly on time. We grabbed a bite to eat at The Angelo Pizza before heading to our Airbnb. It took me longer than expected to get ready, but we made it to the ferry before 6 pm. I started to get nervous when I noticed the ferry was still docked across the river. The show was scheduled to begin at 6:30, with Spiritbox as the opening band. By the time we got off the ferry and got to our seats, Spiritbox was almost done with the last song of their setlist! Unfortunately, the ferry doesn’t run on a set schedule after mid-September, only operating for specific events during the weekdays.

When we arrived in Camden, we had to walk around the Adventure Aquarium to get to the venue's entrance because a stage was set up for another event, and other construction was underway. Usually, it takes a few minutes to walk over to the theater. Once we were at the venue, there was the longest line I had ever stood in to get into a venue in recent years. In all my time going to concerts and wrestling shows, I usually don't have to wait that long. Murphy’s law. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Of course, it was the one time I wanted to see the opening band. Spiritbox has become one of my favorite bands in such a short time. I’ve been on time for concerts for years now. I haven't missed an opening act since In This Moment in 2016, and I still caught half of their set. 

I was frustrated with the venue and the ferry, but I admit I could have handled things better. I should have booked an Airbnb earlier or done my makeup in the morning. I also should have just taken an Uber to the venue, especially since we were close to the show's start time. Even though Spiritbox would only play six songs, I really wanted to hear them. I had yet to hear them perform Cellar Door, Jaded, Angel Eyes, or Soft Spine live. The band will probably tour again, and I did see a 16-song set last year, but still, we had great seats, and I always want to hear Spiritbox live. It felt ironic that I had manifested Korn and Spiritbox to tour together, only to miss Spiritbox's set. I was really disappointed in myself.

I was excited to see Gojira perform live. Although I don't listen to them as much as I do Spiritbox, I still enjoy their music. This was my second time seeing them in concert, and they were fantastic. It was especially meaningful to see them perform at a time when they had gained widespread recognition for their performance at the Olympics’ Opening Ceremony in Paris. Gojira made history as the first metal band to ever perform at the Olympics, which was an unforgettable experience. They played "Ah! Ça Ira" at the Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned and eventually executed, adding a unique and historical element to their performance. Also, the beheaded Marie Antoinettes showcased in the performance was the most metal thing I’d ever seen at the Opening Ceremony. 

30 Years of Korn

This tour celebrates 30 years since Korn released their first album. Released in 1994, the band's debut album was groundbreaking at the time and revolutionized the metal genre with its unique sound, giving birth to a new genre. Korn is essential to the metal world and deserves all the recognition in the world. The self-titled album is filled with raw emotion, anger, and vulnerability, with Jonathan Davis opening up about his pain and trauma in a way that was unprecedented at the time. Korn's music has profoundly impacted many people's lives, including mine.

I was deeply moved when Jonathan addressed the crowd, saying we would forever live in his heart because Korn will forever live in mine. I've struggled immensely in life to find a sense of normalcy and not feel like a failure. Living isn't always easy for me, but I push through because I have to. I often feel like an outsider in this world, never fully embraced by people or society. However, music has been my coping mechanism. For the past 25 years, Korn has been my escape. I can't imagine my life without this band. Going to a Korn concert isn't just a concert for me; it's my therapy, my salvation, and my motivation to keep going. Some may not understand or think it's dramatic, but everyone experiences life differently, and it's impossible to truly understand what someone else goes through on a daily basis.

I vividly remember the first time I encountered Korn. During my tween years, I was glued to TRL on MTV and caught a glimpse of the music video for Freak on a Leash. Even now, I still listen to Freak on a Leash with the same excitement as if it had just been released. My Top 100 Songs of the Year is generated annually, and this song has a spot on that list EVERY year. It's not just my favorite song but also my favorite music video. This track marked my initiation into the world of metal, and Korn became my musical obsession. Never before had I been so captivated and exhilarated by music. I delved into every album released before my teenage years, immersing myself in Korn's discography. The first Korn album I experienced in real time was their fourth studio album, Issues,  which remains my favorite.

Fast forward to 2016, a year that reignited my passion for Korn with the release of their album Serenity of Suffering. This album marked a triumphant return to their signature heavy sound and boasted compelling tracks such as "Rotting in Vain" and "Black is the Soul." For the first time in a decade, I was engulfed by the same euphoria I experienced as a teenager listening to Korn. With Head rejoining the band, their music was revitalized, recapturing the essence of Korn. Every track on the album resonated with me, and I attribute its impact to leading me back to the band. It perfectly blends polished production and gritty authenticity, showcasing Korn's musical evolution while staying true to their roots. From then on, I have been going to every Korn concert that has come my way.

Experiencing Korn live after 30 years was an absolute honor! The band's performance was as intense and emotionally charged as ever. They played with the same ferocity they always have showcased in Head’s iconic dreadlocks swinging through the air alone. Jonathan Davis's vocals were as powerful and captivating as they were during their prime years. The setlist was a nostalgic trip, featuring tracks I hadn’t heard in ages, including Dead Bodies Everywhere, Ball Tongue, Make Me Bad, Oildale (Leave Me Alone), and Good God. A standout moment was when they played Hey Daddy, which had not been performed live since 1999—one of my all-time favorites from the album Issues! They also included classic hits like Here to Stay, Blind, and Got the Life. I am currently hyper-fixated on Falling Away from Me, so listening to it live is a religious experience.

This time, I managed to snag seats just a few rows back, front and center, which allowed me to be showered with confetti streamers during Freak on a Leash. Getting caught in that moment was such a cool experience! I’ve seen it happen in my last two Korn concerts from afar, but I was jealous that I had never been in the action until now. I feel incredibly grateful to have been a part of this tour with Korn. Reflecting on my time with this band, like I’ve mentioned with Slipknot, I realize I may not have many more chances to see them live. So, I’m determined to spend whatever I can to attend every concert that comes my way. These experiences truly represent some of the best moments of my life!

 

“I could have 

Never lived 

If it wasn’t 

 4U” 

Setlist:

1. Here to Stay
2. Dead Bodies Everywhere
3. Got the Life
4. A.D.I.D.A.S.
5. Hey Daddy
6. Good God
7. Start the Healing
8. Blind
9. Clown
10. Shoots and Ladders (with a snippet of Metallica’s “One”)
11. Twist
12. Make Me Bad
13. Insane
14. Y’all Want a Single

Encore:
15. Falling Away from Me
16. Oildale (Leave Me Alone)
17. Freak on a Leash