A quiet tension hung in the air at Stage AE as Sevendust prepared to bring their Southside Double Wide tour to the fully seated crowd, creating a very different setting for a band known for lifting roofs with their heavy sound. The acoustic theme gave the night a warm glow, and fans settled into their seats with an eager focus reserved for bands that have earned deep loyalty across decades. Sevendust has been a constant force in modern metal since the nineties, and this tour was a celebration of their ability to translate fierce energy into stripped down storytelling, more than two decades after their original Southside Double-Wide show. The room felt calm but charged as the lights lowered and everyone waited to hear how these familiar songs would shift when handled with softer tones and open space. It was a setup that promised something personal and meaningful.
Cory Marks walked out first with only his guitar, and the simplicity of his setup worked in his favor from the first strum. His voice carried smoothly through the venue and each song felt honest, raw, and shaped by the quiet strength of a lone musician who knows how to hold a room. Cory’s short set featured several songs from his recently released album, Sorry For Nothing Vol. 2. He blended country roots with rock grit in a way that felt natural in the acoustic environment. The seated crowd grew more attentive with each tune, leaning into the warm stories the music brought to life.
Sevendust entered with an easy stride and the sound of fans cheering filled the venue even before the first chord rang out. Lajon Witherspoon stood at the center with a voice full of grit and soul that fit the acoustic style with surprising grace. Clint Lowery brought delicate detail to each guitar line, shaping subtle melodies that added depth to every song. John Connolly provided steady rhythm and clean harmonies that supported the group with calm control. Vince Hornsby offered gentle bass tones that helped anchor the new arrangements, giving them warmth without overpowering the mix. Morgan Rose kept the heartbeat steady with sometimes soft but always powerful percussion that showed a different side of his talent. They played with focus and restraint, and their chemistry held the attention of every person in the room.
The heart of the night came through the way Sevendust reshaped their catalog for acoustic format, turning heavy favourites into rich and layered pieces that felt both familiar and new. Songs that once roared now carried texture and emotion through softer chords and open space, pulling fans into thoughtful moments. The set started off soft and emotional with “Black” and “Disgrace.” Lajon’s voice rose and fell with smooth control, revealing the deep emotion behind the lyrics when the usual distortion dropped away. Towards the middle of the set, the intensity picked up with a powerhouse rendition of “Denial.” The energy never wavered once. Most of the setlist was familiar and comforting, following along the Southside Double-Wide Acoustic Live tracklist, but there were a few surprised, including a cover of Nine Inch Nail’s “Hurt” that was absolutely dripping in emotion.
The final stretch of Sevendust’s set built toward a powerful and heartfelt close as the crowd’s voices grew louder with every song. There was a sense that the band felt the weight of the moment, and they poured that emotion into each note with sincerity. Sevendust closed out their set with “Face to Face,” and fans sang, clapped, and swayed from their seats, turning the set into a shared experience that felt closer to a family gathering than a metal show. Sevendust walked off with grateful smiles, leaving the room filled with the quiet glow of a night built on connection, honesty, and the strength of acoustic sound.
November 24th, 2025
