Traffic was brutal — it seemed like every single child of the ’90s was heading to FirstBank Amphitheater — but the moment I walked in, I knew I’d made it to the right place.
The Rise of the Roach Tour is a full-throttle celebration of Papa Roach’s legacy — a band that helped define late-’90s/early-2000s rock and still knows how to shake a venue to its core. For this run, they’ve teamed up with Rise Against and Underoath, delivering a night of punk-fueled adrenaline and arena-ready chaos.
Chicago’s Rise Against built their name on breakneck punk energy and socially conscious lyrics. Fronted by Tim McIlrath, the band moved from their hardcore roots to major-label success with 2004’s Siren Song of the Counter Culture, which gave us anthems like “Give It All” and “Swing Life Away.” They’ve since remained one of punk rock’s most reliable truth-tellers — taking on politics, inequality, and human rights while still packing stadiums with fists-in-the-air singalongs.
California’s Papa Roach broke through in 2000 with “Last Resort,” a song that became a generation-defining nu-metal anthem. Over two decades later, they’ve evolved from raw rap-rock aggression to arena-ready hard rock without losing the cathartic punch that built their fanbase. Led by the relentlessly kinetic Jacoby Shaddix, the band continues to headline massive tours while balancing explosive mosh-pit chaos with deeply personal moments about survival and resilience.
The first day of spooky season felt like the perfect night to welcome Papa Roach back to Middle Tennessee
I made it just as Rise Against were deep into their second song, and the crowd was already on fire. Tim McIlrath didn’t just sing — he rallied. Before one of their anthems, he paused to talk about how songs shift meaning through time, dedicating it to academic freedom, reproductive rights, and the working class. It hit hard. In a world where some onstage speeches feel hollow, this one felt urgent and true. Goosebumps. Fists in the air. Real solidarity in that moment. Their set — including “Prayer of the Refugee,” “Give It All,” “Swing Life Away,” and closer “Savior” — hit with precision and purpose. The pit thrashed, the singalongs roared, and their mix of grit and melody proved why they remain one of punk’s most vital live bands. As a first-timer seeing them, I walked away impressed.
Then the headliners took over. A giant white curtain with the iconic black roach dropped, flames shot sky-high, and Papa Roach exploded into “Even If It Kills Me.” By the second song, Jacoby Shaddix was off the stage — in the pit, sprinting through fans, shaking hands, running laps like a man possessed. Phones flew up trying to catch a glimpse or grab a high five. When he finally climbed back on stage, he stopped to hug a security guard. That moment said everything: wild energy paired with a genuinely kind heart.
The set was a ride through decades: “Blood Brothers,” “Dead Cell,” “…To Be Loved,” “Getting Away With Murder,” and “Kill the Noise” all hit with massive force. Shaddix spoke often, connecting with the crowd between songs, laughing, swearing, thanking us for showing up. Before “Forever / In the End,” he turned reflective, urging everyone to reach out, connect, and fight back against the darkness. It was powerful, and the stage visuals — swirling lights, stark projections — made it even more emotional.
Then came “Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark),” introduced with a heartfelt message about suicide prevention and local mental health organizations. The band gives part of each show’s proceeds to community resources, and last night felt personal. To make it even more special, Carrie Underwood stepped out for a surprise guest appearance that stunned the crowd — a beautiful, unexpected Nashville moment.
From there, it was pure catharsis: “Scars,” “Help,” “Born for Greatness” — fists, screams, and joy everywhere. The encore was a masterclass: “Between Angels and Insects,” “Infest,” a chaotic medley paying homage to Deftones, Limp Bizkit, and System of a Down, and finally “Last Resort.” Flames, CO₂ cannons, and the giant video wall flashing 25 years of Papa Roach history turned the night into an explosive finale.
I see a lot of shows — and honestly, some blur together. This one didn’t. Papa Roach proved they’re still one of rock’s most magnetic live acts. Jacoby Shaddix is the kind of frontman who makes a 10,000-seat space feel intimate, sprinting into the crowd one minute and delivering heartfelt life-saving messages the next. If you grew up with these songs, or you just need a night of unfiltered, high-energy rock, the Rise of the Roach Tour is everything you hope it will be — loud, cathartic, and full of heart.
📅 Catch remaining North American dates and tickets at paparoach.com/tour.
