Machine Gun Kelly Delivers High Energy Show In Syracuse

Concert Review
Machine Gun Kelly
Avril Lavigne
iann dior
St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater
At Lakeview
Syracuse, NY
Tuesday July 5, 2022
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Machine Gun Kelly, the flamboyant rap-punk-rock personality, brought his Mainstream Sellout tour to the packed St. Joseph’s Amphitheater on Wednesday evening. Despite rain throughout various points of the day it did not deter too many from coming out and seeing one of the most talked about artists in the music business today. Joining Kelly on the bill were Avril Lavigne and opener iann dior.

He started the show by climbing the ladder to a prop helicopter that appeared above the stage. Opening with “Big With Horns”, one of many songs from his latest album Mainstream Sellout, he proceeded to give his fans what they want. While MGK has quite a few detractors, there is no denying he also has a huge fanbase that has really grown once he started to collaborate with Travis Barker.

Openers Lavigne (Bois Lie) and Dior (Fake Love Don’t Last) both came back out to perform with MGK later into his set.

Kelly is no stranger to Syracuse as he mentioned during the show as he spent some time filming Big Time Adolescence. He has some fond memories of the area. Kelly delivered a high energy set that really seemed to please the crowd. He is a pure entertainer who commands the stage with his energy and intensity as well as his enthusiasm.

Where MGK goes from here is anyone’s guess. He has stated he’d like to go back more to his rap roots. I say if it’s not broken don’t fix it. Sure the new album did not sell as well as Tickets To My Downfall did, but it was his second consecutive number one album and his tour is drawing real well. Time will tell.

Set Lists

Machine Gun Kelly

Big With Horns
God Save Me
Maybe
Mainstream Sellout
Drunk Face
Drug Dealer
Ay!
Fake Love Don’t Last
Glass House
More Than Life
Die In California
Floor 13
Papercuts
Title Track
Bloody Valentine
Roll The Windows Up
El Diablo
WWlll
WW4
Emo Girl
Bois Lie
Lonely
I Think I’m Okay
Forget Me Too
Make Up Sex
My Ex’s Best Friend
Twin Flame

Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne appeared second on the bill and despite only playing a shade over a half hour delivered a short but solid set heavy on the songs that made her a household name when her debut album hit in 2002. Hitting the stage with her chart topping single “Girlfriend” segueing into her new single from her latest album Love Sux, “Bite Me” was a great way to set the mood.

It is hard to believe it has been twenty years since that debut was released. Lavigne did not disappoint as she played all three top ten hits from Let Go. The crowd enjoyed it thoroughly as they sang along at times drowning out Lavigne notably on “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi”.

Lavigne has come a long way since she last was a major arena headliner. It hasn’t been an easy road for her, I suppose it never is following the success of a debut album that sold 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. But she has persevered despite record company issues, Lyme disease and going through two marriages and a few other relationships.

Lavigne is touring in support of Love Sux which is also on Travis Barker’s record label. Barker also contributes in playing drums as well as producing many tracks on the album.