Daughtry Rocks the River in Cedar Rapids!
Posted on August 15, 2022 at 11:24 AM by The Biker Lawyers
Daughtry at the McGrath Amphitheatre!
Why it took me so long to see a show at McGrath Amphitheater in Cedar Rapids is a good question. Plenty of shows come to that place, and yet I have never been there! Why did it take me so long? Well, maybe because I have had a full schedule, with plenty of things going on. Now finally, I was able to make my way to the venue for the first time ever for what turned out to be a pretty epic rock show!
Beyond Idol
Made famous by a little-known TV show, you may have heard of it, American Idol… Daughtry came to town along with Black Stone Cherry and a local band named The Unincorporated.
Perfect Night to be Outdoors
It was a pretty hot summer night, as the McGrath Amphitheater is an outdoor venue with a general admission lawn, paid seating, and a general admission pit area in front of the stage. It’s a very well laid out venue so that no matter where your tickets are, you have a pretty darn good view of the show.
Of course, the best seats in the house are the front row areas, but if you prefer to have a seat, they are laid out well. I have a concert I am attending there again in September, so I was able to see where my seats will be, and they are in the perfect spot.
What I also thought was cool was the location of the venue, it’s basically right in the heart of the city along the river, making it just an awesome place in general. I love outdoor shows, and seeing this one for the first time was a welcome experience.
The Unincorporated
The Unincorporated were the first up, and it was my first time seeing them. I had heard of them plenty of times on the radio, but never in person. They put on a great show. The singer came up to me after the performance and told me how they got a chance to play at this event. They were scheduled once years ago to open for Daughtry, but the show was canceled. The band management promised they would make it up to them! Low and behold, the Daughtry folk did, and here was the Unincorporated performing for everyone. What a cool story!
Black Stone Cherry
Black Stone Cherry was up next, and man, those guys just know how to rock. They have been doing it for 20+ years now and it shows. Not in age, but in sense of just how solid their performance is. Guitarist Ben Wells is the guy to watch when seeing this band, he doesn’t slow down and is a blast to watch live. They sound JUST like they do on their albums. Songs like Lonely Train, Again, and their latest Ringing In My Head, kept our ears ringing. You could tell a very large portion of the audience was there to enjoy Black Stone Cherry, as that band has had quite a presence in Eastern Iowa since its inception in 2001.
Daughtry Lights up the Night
Closing up the night was Daughtry. What was great about his performance, is that while yes, he did perform his more pop hits, you could tell he was really trying to get back to those rock roots. Especially with his song ‘Changes are Coming.’ His light show was awesome to watch, especially during an outdoor show!
Daughtry: Behind the Mask
Before the show, I did get to do a meet and greet with him and the band. Knowing that Chris is a HUGE Batman fan, it was pretty cool to nerd out a little bit about the latest Batman movie. You can tell that he loves that character, especially since he sells his very own art of the character on his website.
It was a near-perfect night. I say near because I was sweaty as all heck after it and really wanted to enjoy some air conditioning. When it came to the show though, it was perfect.
About The Biker’s Ambassador of Rock
If you live in the Cedar Valley in Iowa, you probably know Ned. If not, you surely know his voice! Ned, the Music Director at Rock 108, is known for his energetic personality, wild spirit, and love for all things Live rock. In an epic collaboration with Rock 108, Ned will be presenting excellent inside experiences to our motorcycle riding community exclusively here so subscribe to the blog and check back every week to see what Ned’s up to next!
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