KEGL’s 97.1 BFD “Biggest Freaking Day” CONCERT

Written by: Christie Bilbo

Dos Equis Pavilion hosted a multi-artist concert on May 25, 2025. With a high of 95 degrees and wind gusts reaching up to 24 mph, nothing stopped the crowd from coming to get their faces rocked off by seven different bands.

When I arrived at the parking lot at 1:00 p.m., people were pregaming for the festivities. I miss those days back in the 80s and 90s when tons of people would hang out in the parking lot, jamming to music, talking about bands, and slamming a few drinks, along with whatever else they might do. This made my heavy metal heart happy to witness.

I can say this about Dos Equis Pavilion: I love going to shows there. The parking is free where I park. If you want the VIP experience with parking closer to the doors, that will cost you, but I didn’t see many people taking up that offer. I honestly wish more venues would follow in Dos Equis’ footsteps and do this. Damn, they already slap us with crazy prices on tickets, then they stick us with all the unnecessary fees on top of everything else. Therefore, adding outrageous parking fees at venues always cuts into our budgets. Plus, it’s easy to find your car after the show. You either came in through the east or west gate. Then it’s straight to the lots. They have the area well-lit and marked to help you navigate the mass exodus when leaving.

The other thing I love about Dos Equis Pavilion is the layout of the food court. You have several options for what to eat. A variety of vendors offer adult beverages to enhance your concert experience, with the merch guys setting up in the middle of the food court. You can rent a lawn chair so you won’t strain your back by sitting on the ground all day or night.

The food there is decent. This go-round, I had a cheeseburger with caramelized onions, fries, and a Dr. Pepper…total cost $32.48. A can of Liquid Death water was $7.00. Since I’m now going on 6 years sober, I can’t even tell you what the adult beverages cost. You can bring in up to 1 gallon of water to rehydrate—just no metal containers. There are plenty of refilling stations to fill up your water vessel.

The crowd outside waiting to get into the venue was incredibly long. Thank goodness there were several security checkpoints and scanners so we could filter through quickly. People were not complaining at all because they kept us moving at a decent pace.

With the music starting promptly at 2:30 p.m., the show went as follows:

Fire From the Gods

I had never heard of these guys before, which is unfortunate; they are great! The band played a hard-hitting 30-minute set from the start. I didn’t get a setlist, so I don’t know their songs. This is shameful on my part because I can’t express how much I enjoyed their performance. The lead singer, Myke Terry, has an impressive set of pipes. He got the crowd excited with his powerful vocals. Drew Walker on lead guitar, Bonner Baker on bass, Jameson Teat on rhythm guitar, and rounding out the band was Richard Wicander on drums. I have now added them to my Spotify rotation. I want to say, listen to them…A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Stabbing Westward

It has been years since I heard Stabbing Westward. The band was formed in 1985 but broke up in 2002. Making a comeback in 2016, they still rock just as well as they did in their heyday. With several great songs, including “Save Yourself,” “Shame,” and “What Do I Have to Do,” the guys rocked hard in the heat. Performing a 30-minute set, long-time fans sang along to their music. It was great to see the guys rocking out again.

Sleep Theory

I was so excited to see this band! I have them on my Spotify playlist and listen to them often. The band formed in 2019 in Memphis, TN. Their music falls under the genres of alternative and nu metal. Their song “Stuck in My Head” earned them a #1 spot on the charts in 2024. Every one of their songs they played in their 30-minute set was a banger!

• Fallout
• Paralyzed
• III
• Stuck in My Head
• Parasite
• Numb
• Static

Evans Blue

Another band that I was excited to see playing was Evans Blue. I have them on my Spotify rotation and love them. Coming from the 51^st state of America (Canada), the band was formed in 2005. There were a lot of people on their feet when they were on stage. Having toured with some great bands, these guys have made their presence known in the alternative metal genre. In their 30-minute set, they belted out some great licks:

• This Time It’s Different
• Say It
• Beyond the Stars
• Thank you
• Sick of It
• Halo
• Cold
• Erase My Scars

P.O.D.

OK, we can’t be friends if you don’t like this band. They are such a fantastic group. They formed in 1992 in San Diego, CA. The band pulls out the rap/metal bangers. With Grammy nominations to back up how amazing they are, this band just flat-out rocks. They have put out platinum singles and albums. I loved how everyone was on their feet singing along with the guys. Their 30-minute set was full of bangers:

• Boom
• Satellite
• Drop
• I Got That
• I Won’t Bow Down
• Youth of the Nation
• Southtown
• Afraid to Die
• Alive

Marilyn Manson

I have a long-standing love affair with Marilyn Manson. From the first time I heard his album “Portrait of an American Family” and “Antichrist Superstar,” I was hooked. Granted, he is a freak, but then who isn’t? His music is heavy and gothic; downplaying the shock value he brings to his onstage presence is just phenomenal. His music kicks open the doors with a be-in-your-face approach from the onset of the first tune.

Manson is known for many controversial things. His music has been accused of inspiring murders and school shootings. This has weighed heavily on Manson because he doesn’t want to be seen as the reason for such horrific violence. Granted, his music is challenging, and his onstage persona can make some people feel uncomfortable. However, his music is art and is not intended to incite violence.

I remember the first time I saw him was back in 1995 on the Smells Like Children tour. I was all about the outrageousness he was putting out: an Ouija board on stage and him cutting himself. I caught the show in St. Louis, MO, at Mississippi Nights. From that first concert, I was hooked, and there was no going back. I have now seen him four times in concert, and each time, it’s just spectacular.

His set list for BFD was full of total epicness:

• Nod If You Understand
• Disposable Teens
• Get Your Gunn
• Tourniquet
• Sacrilegious
• This Is the New Shit
• The Nobodies
• mOBSCENE
• Long Hard Road Out of Hell
• The Dope Show
• As Sick as the Secrets Within
• Sweet Dreams
• The Beautiful People

Chevelle

I know this band isn’t in my typical “heavy metal” category like some of my favorite bands, but damn…I love me some Chevelle. This will be the fifth time I have seen them. Each time I see them, it’s just as amazing as the first time I saw them. The band formed in 1995 in Grayslake, IL. I remember when all three brothers were in the band and their music did something to my ears. As someone once said to me, “Chevelle sounds like Chevelle.” They just have their own uniqueness that I love.

Chevelle rounded out the night as the final band. With a heaviness in the air from an incoming storm, the guys didn’t disappoint. They had everyone on their feet. The young ladies sitting next to me, who were all “punked” out in their clothing, were overly excited. (They didn’t know any of Manson’s songs, but knew all of Chevelle…WEIRD!)

Their setlist wasn’t a disappointment. They played several new songs from their latest album, Rabbit Hole.

• An Island
• Face to the Floor
• Vitamin R
• Rabbit Hole – Cowards, Pt.1
• Family System
• Door to Door Cannibals
• Joyride
• Self Destructor
• The Clincher
• Forfeit
• Send the Pain Below
• Comfortable liar
• The Red
• I Get It
• Mars Simula

I just want to say that this was an amazing concert. The bands all performed wonderfully. I didn’t see anyone acting foolishly or causing a scene. Everyone there was simply enjoying what I would describe as a mini-festival at Dos Equis Pavilion. The day was long and hot, but it was well worth every bit of sweat and mugginess we had to endure.

Keep an eye out for future concerts. Some great bands are coming our way this summer! See y’all at the next one!