Royal Oak, Michigan gets a double dose of royal rock-star treatment as Daughtry makes a stop in the big mitten.
It’s a fine weathered, spring tease Sunday night, in the city of Royal Oak, MI (a bustling little upscale burb just outside of the Motor City). The city’s premiere venue, the Royal Oak Music Theatre, has brought music fans and concert-goers from across the state to spend the night with multi-platinum selling recording artist Chris Daughtry and his band Daughtry. Tonight we find the ROMT packed to capacity, as the box office proudly displays the words “sold-out“ across the marquee. Fans young and old, adorned with Daughtry concert swag from years past have formed a massive line that wraps around the building. They patiently await their moment to redeem the treasures that their tickets will claim. Go ahead, step through the entrance… leave your worries and problems behind and get ready to lose yourself in a night of musical memories to epic proportions, brought to you by none other than the mighty Daughtry!
Fast forward to game time… 8:55 PM and we see an ominous dark stage set like a fine dining room table with the implements of rock-star bad-assery. A large neon-style sign displaying “Dearly Beloved“ hangs above the stage and begins to flicker to the immortal words of the late artist Prince. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life…“ As Prince’s last line “day or night,“ is delivered, shadows begin to glide across the stage to the roar of an unsuspecting crowd that has just witnessed their heroe’s arrival. Stage lights ignite, and standing centerstage we see a bearded Chris Daughtry, proudly holding his Gibson Explorer while his bandmates fire into the new track “Desperation.“This night is underway firing on all cylinders right out of the gate.
Our audience hungrily devours the night’s opener and we now see Chris strapped to a megaphone, belt out the melodic intro lyrics to fist-pumping supercharged tune “World on Fire.“ The track is well-received by the crowd and is followed by the thought-provoking and emotional “Changes Are Coming.“ Frontman CD now returns to center stage with his beloved Explorer… “Y’all feel like singing? You brought your singing voices, didn’t ya?“ CD points to keyboardist Elvio Fernandez, and says “I want you to repeat after Elvi over here!“ Fernandez takes to the mic and delivers the familiar line “and I hooo ooh oooh ooo ope“ and the crowd follows with a decent attempt at matching Fernandez’s silky smooth delivery. The line repeats, and the band launches into the 2009 hit, “No Surprise.“ The title track of the new album Dearly Beloved comes next followed by drummer extraordinaire Brandon Maclin delivering a thunderous drum solo that would make the spirit a Bonham shoot a grin of approval from the heavens above.
Up next is the crunchy grinder “Evil,“ and the fans bang along to the track’s powerful backbeat, surgically provided by rhythm section Maclin and touring guest bass player Patrick Dahlheimer (bassist of the band Live). Lead guitarist Josh Steely‘s stinging leads melt the frets off of his Fender Stratocaster and Gibson SG. Guitarist Brian Craddick’s chunky rhythms, together with Chris D’s additional guitar playing give this band such a huge sound that one can’t help but smile as the wall of sound bowls over your eardrums.
Next up, we change gears a bit and frontman Chris D returns to center stage with an amusing story of being recognized in a Walmart by his “biggest fan“ for that “one“ song. CD continues, “Pretty sure this next song is what he meant, so sing along and if you don’t know the words just make some sh*t up! And by the way, it’s going home, not coming home. Thought I might just throw that out there.“ This powerful sing-along is followed by the deep in moving track “Cry For Help.“
Smash hit “It’s Not Over“ rolls out next and our crowd keeps the karaoke vibe going singing along with Chris word-for-word. Energies are high and the band keeps on hitting with new tracks, “Heavy Is The Crown,“ “The Victim,“ and the saucy little tidbit, “Lioness.“ The band feigns an ending is near as they perform their 2009 hit “September.“ The crowd maintains a still hungry roar prompting the band to reciprocate with a two-song encore. Chris D. instructs the crowd, “I need your singing voices again!” The band performs their mega-smash “Over You“ and the crowd obliges, joining in to sing “long, long time ago“ and “more than you, more than you know.“
Daughtry officially brings our night to a close blasting out the lyrics to headbanger “Asylum“ through his trusty megaphone. The last note rings out as guitar picks are thrown… and Chris says to the crowd with hands outstretched, “Thank you all. We will see you next time!“
Daughtry comes as a Loud Hailer recommended concert experience that is energetics, visual, and full of great sing-along memories. Authors note: the band’s newer material from their latest album Dearly Beloved performs well live, and is a refreshing blast of crunchy, in your face, rock ‘n’ roll that gets your heart pumping. Be sure to catch them on the 2022 Dearly Beloved Tour with many more days to go. Check the band’s official website for event details, updates, and current news.
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