Concert Review
Godsmack
Stone Temple Pilots
Dorothy
Tuesday June 30, 2026
Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheatre At Lakeview
Syracuse, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Sometimes the song that plays over the venue’s PA system just before the headliner takes the stage adds to the buildup of the concert. Such was the case out at The Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview Tuesday night. With AC/DC’s “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)” blasting away Godsmack set the tone to put the capper on a solid night of rock. Joining them were Stone Temple Pilots, and Dorothy as they all delivered quite a memorable affair that people will be looking back on fondly as the years go on despite the raising temperatures of the evening.
The current Godsmack tour is called The Rise of Rock. The bands on this bill helped make the tour live up to its billing and then some. Headlined by the mighty Godsmack the band played an approximate scorching 95 minute set as the day wound down you could still feel the heat.
Godsmack as always is led by vocalist, guitarist Sully Erna. Joining Erna was bassist Robbie Merrill who has been there since day one. Guitarist Sam “Bam” Koltun and recently recruited drummer Mike Mangini completed the lineup. Mangini of course is best remembered as the drummer for progressive band Dream Theater for over ten years.
While there were many highlights and songs that stood out “Voodoo” and “Whatever” from the bands first release All Wound Up were the big ones. One of the fun parts of the show was when a 2nd drum set came out for “Batalla des los tambores”. This is when Sully shows off his drumming skills after all he was a drummer for years in bands prior to Godsmack.
While it has been three years since the bands last studio album, the band can easily go on tour and sift through much of their back catalog as there are many hidden treasures they can dig up to satisfy the fanbase. As long as they tour with a similar package they will have no trouble selling tickets. Having seen them a few times over the years I knew everyone was in for a treat watching these guys.
Seeing Stone Temple Pilots on this bill was an added bonus. The core of the original band including drummer Eric Kretz as well as the Brothers DeLeo (Robert on bass and Dean on guitars) were joined by vocalist Jeff Gutt who has been with the band now for ten years. These guys really played a powerful set bringing all the STP classics to life.
Beginning with “Dead & Bloated”, the band took off with “Wicked Garden” and a quick version of the stellar “Vasoline” erased any doubt anyone had as to how this show would go. The band continued sprinkling in songs like “Down” and “Lounge Fly” alongside gems like “Plush” and “Interstate Love Song”. The band dedicated “The Big Empty” to original vocalist Scott Weiland. All in all an extremely satisfying set that would have been better if only longer.
Opening the night was Dorothy. Dorothy is based out of Los Angeles and had a little southern rock feel to them. They just released their fourth album The Way in 2025 and seemed destined for more success. On this night the band was made up of vocalist and namesake Dorothy Martin, guitarist Nick Perri, bassist Eliot Lorango and drummer Jake Hayden.
These are the kind of tours fans love as they get a steady diet of bands they know and then adding a sound band such as Dorothy enhance the package and gives fans a chance to see someone they may not have seen before. Collectively, a very sound package featuring three bands who delivered as advertised. This tour lived up to The Rise Of Rock moniker and then some.
GODSMACK
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
DOROTHY
SET LISTS
Godsmack
When Legends Rise
You and I
Cryin’ Like a Bitch
Straight Out of Line
Awake
Surrender
Keep away.
Love hate sex pain
Voodoo
Batalla de los tambores
Whatever
Encore
Under Your Scars
Bulletproof
I Stand Alone
STP
Dead & Bloated
Wicken Garden
Vasoline
Big Bang Baby
Down
Lounge Fly
Big Empty
Plush
Interstate Love Song
Crackerman
Trippin’ On A Hole in a Paper Heart
Sex Type Thing
Dorothy
Down to the Bottom
The DEVIL I Know
Raise Hell
After Midnight
Rest In Peace
Medicine Man
Dark Nights
Elevate
