LIVE: PAPA ROACH – Winnipeg, MB, CAN – December 2, 2025

Venue: Canada Live Centre

City: Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Date: December 2, 2025

Review and Photographs by: Alejandro Penner (https://www.alejandropenner.ca/)

The day was dark and gloomy, snow blowing across icy roads as I made my way to Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, MB. I was heading to see a band that’s been with me since the year 2000—since the day Infest dropped and “Last Resort” hooked me for life. Twenty-five years of being a Papa Roach fan, and here I was, buzzing with excitement. And it wasn’t just Papa Roach. They brought The Used—another band that shaped my teenage years—and Sleep Theory, a group I’ve seen nonstop on my feed for the past year. Looking back, I don’t think I was ready for what I was about to experience. Sleep Theory kicked the night off, and for my first time seeing them live, I was pleasantly surprised—though I shouldn’t have been, considering how much I already enjoyed their music online. They set the tone perfectly for the night ahead. Then came The Used, a set I’d been looking forward to for a long time. They haven’t played Canada in nearly a decade, and before that, it was almost another decade. Not many chances to see them close to home. They kept the energy sky-high with a set stacked with early-era bangers. In Love and Death dominated with five tracks—“All That I’ve Got,” “I Caught Fire,” “Listening,” “Sound Effects and Overdramatics,” and “Take It Away.” Their debut album followed with “A Box Full of Sharp Objects,” “Buried Myself Alive,” and “The Taste of Ink.” Lies for the Liars gave us “Pretty Handsome Awkward,” which opened the set, and “The Bird and the Worm.” It was the perfect way to keep the night rolling.

Finally, it was time for Papa Roach. The anticipation hit another level when a giant curtain with their logo dropped across the stage. When the lights went out and the intro to “Even If It Kills Me” hit—one of their newest singles—I knew I was in for something special. What followed was a 90-minute trip through memories, pulling from Infest, Crooked Teeth, F.E.A.R., and more. With a catalog this deep, I don’t know how they choose what makes the cut, but the mix felt right. Early on, we got “Blood Brothers” and “Dead Cell” from Infest, then “…To Be Loved” from The Paramour Sessions. During that song, Jacoby jumped into the bleachers, hugging fans and taking selfies—a moment that felt genuinely heartfelt. “Kill the Noise” from Ego Trip brought huge energy, and despite not being familiar with that album, the live performance alone convinced me to revisit it. They also played “Liar” and “Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark),” which came with a video message from Jacoby and the local suicide hotline on screen. After the song, he led the entire arena in a moment of silence for suicide awareness. It hit hard. Papa Roach has always spoken openly about these themes, and seeing them use their platform that way was powerful. Between the Ego Trip tracks, we got “Getting Away with Murder,” “Falling Apart” from F.E.A.R., a fun cover of 2Pac’s “California Love,” and a medley blending their song “Forever” with Linkin Park’s “In the End,” honoring Chester Bennington with the words, “We lost a good one.” Another emotional hit. The final stretch featured “Scars,” “BRAINDEAD,” “Help,” and “Born for Greatness.” Crooked Teeth really shined here, and hearing the brand-new single live felt special—one of the first crowds to experience it. Then came the encore. We still hadn’t heard some of the big ones, so I was on edge waiting. Sure enough, the band returned with “Between Angels and Insects,” then “Infest,” and finally the monster itself: “Last Resort.” Before that finale though, Jacoby went back into the crowd—this time on the opposite side—while the band ripped through snippets of nu-metal classics like Korn’s “Blind,” Deftones’ “My Own Summer (Shove It),” Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff,” and System of a Down’s “Chop Suey.” Jacoby eventually ended up right beside me. Surreal doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Visually, the show was massive—two risers with LED panels, a huge screen across the back of the stage, fiery pyros, rolling fog, and stairs Jacoby used between quick shirt changes. Everything felt dialed in. Jacoby and the boys brought the heat, the energy, and the heart. They didn’t just perform—they connected, they celebrated, and they raised awareness where it mattered. As someone who’s been a fan for 25 years, I loved every moment. And if you’re new to Papa Roach, I’m willing to bet you left wanting more.

Setlist: Even If It Kills Me – Blood Brothers – Dead Cell – …To Be Loved – Kill the Noise – Getting Away with Murder – California Love – Liar – Forever / In the End – Falling Apart – Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark) – Scars – BRAINDEAD – Help – Born for Greatness – Between Angels and Insects – Infest – Blind / My Own Summer (Shove It) / Break Stuff / Chop Suey – Last Resort

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Category: Live Reviews