Godsmack ignites Budweiser Gardens

Continuing their 25th anniversary tour across North America, Massachusetts rockers Godsmack brought their pyro-filled rock show to Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

“There are a couple things missing here that can really make the difference between a really good fucking show and a really great fucking show,” frontman Sully Erna told the crowd midway through their set.

“My job right now is to make sure that not only are you the best fucking crowd on this goddamn tour, to make sure you’re not only the loudest fucking crowd on this goddamn tour, but to make sure you look like a proper fucking rock audience.”

Erna proceeded to encourage the crowd to get on their feet.

“The only difference between this side and that side, they’re in the party right now, you guys are still sitting on your goddamn fucking asses, I’m not sure what the fuck is going on over there,” he said.

“I got to tell you what, you should really join the fucking party tonight, right London? You guys are clapping and you’re still sitting in your seats, get the fuck up, let’s go. Let me remind you of something. You guys worked very hard this month, saved up your fuckin’ hard earned money, paid your bills, took care of your kids, paid for your schools, whatever the fuck you did, saved up, bought a goddamn fuckin’ ticket to Godsmack tonight, we are not sitting in our seats. Get the fuck up, let’s go.”

Erna added: “And as far as this crowd goes in front of me, here’s what we’re going to do, we are going to make you guys look like a fuckin’ rock show used to look back in 19 goddamn 87. When all we cared about was the music and the energy in the fans.”

After inviting a fan onstage, who Erna playfully called a “skinny son of a bitch”, the frontman informed the men in the crowd that they had a job to do during the show.

“All the guys that look like this motherfucker right here, and bigger, we’re going to give you guys a job tonight,” he said.

“You’re going to take care of your women, because it makes no goddamn sense being in the gym, fuckin’ all ripped up, looking like this son of a bitch right here, and then you go get a job at Rogers answering fuckin’ headsets and workin’ for the phone company and shit. What the fuck? So, guys of London, I don’t care if it’s your girlfriend, or your wife or your best friend, get these girls up on your shoulders tonight so Godsmack can take a look at what the females look like here in Ontario. Get ‘em up.”

The segment concluded with the house lights being turned down and Erna encouraging the crowd to use their phones and lighters.

“We’re going to make a moment here,” he said.

“I told you all we needed is the music and the energy in the crowd. So if you want to see Godsmack play a song for these ladies, you light up this room tonight. Show us your fancy light show, let’s go. Light it up. Oh yeah, here is comes girls, now we’re starting to look like a fuckin’ rock show out there,” Erna said, before the band tore in into 2014’s ‘Soemething Differnt’.

Godsmack’s show kickstarted with a video introduction featuring Mix Master Mike from the Beastie Boys, before tearing into their opener 2018’s ‘When Legends Rise’.

Similar to their set last month at Louder Than Life in Louisville, Kentucky (read the SWOMP story, here), Erna took a moment to mention their 25th anniversary as a band, along with the fact they are not “perfect” as they play “real” instruments, with no computer or electronic backtracking.

Erna also noted that despite getting older and pointing to a couple of gray hairs, he has found the fountain of youth.

“It’s tequila,” the frontman said, before downing a drink handed to him from a crew member.

Here is the complete setlist from their London performance:

1. When Legends Rise
2. 1000hp
3. What About Me
4. Surrender
5. You and I
6. Something Different
7. Keep Away
8. Cryin’ Like a Bitch!!
9. Awake
10. Voodoo
11. Batalla de los tambores
12. Whatever
Encore:
13. Under Your Scars
14. Bulletproof
15. I Stand Alone