Editor’s notes: I’d like to start this feature out by saying how proud we all are of our contributing photographer, Riley Downs. This was Riley’s first major solo assignment, covering two extremely well known artists (MGK & Limp Bizkit). We put a lot of faith in Riley and he pulled through with some amazing shots of what looked like an unbelievable night! We hope you enjoy this article as much as we did putting it together. Thank you!
– Senior editor, Chris Duke.
On September 27th fans lined the sides of The Myth in Maplewood, reaching all the way around the building and into the neighboring parking lot. Even before reaching the building, fans were chanting “EST, WHAT THE FUCK!” Over and over until doors opened!
Machine Gun Kelly (aka MGK) is not your typical opening act. Fans were chanting “M-G-K! M-G-K!” for what felt like an hour before he finally hit the stage! “L’s” were up all throughout the set while MGK played hits like ‘Wildboy,’ ‘Swing Life Away,’ and he even pulled out a cover of Awolnation’s ‘Sail.’
It was hard to imagine that fans were there for Limp Bizkit after how wild they all went for MGK, but when Fred Durst and the rest of Limp hit the stage the crowd went even bigger than they did for MGK! Limp opened up with ‘Rollin’ and the crowd looked like an ocean. Every single body was moving in that venue and singing along with what little voice they had left. The crowd got wilder and wilder with each song and Limp Bizkit pulled out some sick covers to compliment their amazing set. Songs like ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ by Guns N’ Roses, ‘Killing In The Name Of’ by Rage Against the Machine, and my personal favorite ‘Heart Shaped Box’ by the legendary Nirvana.
Unfortunately with all of that energy, two jack asses ended up fist fighting in the pit. Fred Durst noticed though, and stopped their set to call them out. He even invited them to come up on stage to settle the fight, or get the fuck out. Fred spoke to the crowd about violence and how we need to stop fighting one another, and worry more about the fight going on “outside.” Ironically the last song of the night? BREAK STUFF! This was the “breaking point” of the night, everyone went absolutely nuts and the whole venue roared out every single lyric!
This was hands down the most vibrant and excited crowd I have ever seen in my life. I can’t even begin to compare it to another show because I truly can’t think of an event where the crowd wasn’t split into “Well I’m here for the opener” or “I’m here for the headliner.” Everyone was there equally for both acts, and went equally ham for both sets. I was so pumped after the show, that on my way home I was still listening to MGK and Limp Bizkit in my car.
There are still 10 dates left for you to check out, so make sure you don’t sleep on this one folks!
Photos/ writing: Riley Downs
Editing: Chris Duke
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