LIVE: GOJIRA – November 2, 2021

Venue: Knoxville Civic Center

City: Knoxville, TN

Date: November 2, 2021

Review and Photographs by: Rachel Craig (rachelcraigmedia.com)

Gojira are back on stage again to support their newest album Fortitude – and they brought a unique lineup with them. The Knoxville Civic Auditorium hosted the French metal band on November 2, along with Knocked Loose and Alien Weaponry. Alien Weaponry kicked things off with their distinct sound, metal inspired by their home of New Zealand. The band brought energy to the room early, encouraging the small pit area to get rowdy. The night continued with Knocked Loose, a popular hardcore band from Louisville, KY. This band is known for their violent, intimate, high energy shows in small venues, so it was really a treat to see them perform on such a large stage with fantastic sound, although I do wish the crowd had been more like a traditional Knocked Loose show. I think the lineup was very refreshing and these openers really complimented Gojira’s sound with some international influences and lots of heavy riffs.

Gojira caught the audience’s attention first with a giant white curtain, projecting symbols and a massive countdown before their stunning stage setup was revealed. This may be one of the best shows I’ve experienced, with both sound and visuals. The lighting was very well done, and the band sounded impeccable in a large auditorium. I even took out my ear plugs to enjoy it because the mix was well balanced. The band seemed to enjoy their time on stage and interacted with the crowd a lot (and even gave everyone an update about the Braves winning). After “L’enfant Sauvage” the band left the stage to return for a four-song encore, including “The Chant” where everyone in the room was singing along to the chorus after a quick lyrics lesson from vocalist/guitarist Joe Duplantier: “Aaaaaaaah.” Overall, this was one of those concerts where I kept thinking “this is why I love live music.” Gojira’s distinct sound, hardworking team, charisma, and thought-provoking lyrics prove to be a strong combination for a stunning live show.

Setlist: Born for One Thing – Backbone – Stranded – Flying Whales – The Cell – Love / Remembrance – Hold On – Grind – Silvera – Another World – L’enfant Sauvage – Amazonia – Toxic Garbage Island – The Chant – Vacuity

[Show as slideshow]

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries