This writer presented to the Credit Union 1 Amphitheater to photograph Halestorm, Hollywood Undead, Fit For a King, and I Prevail. As fans gathered in the venue and began locating their seats, grabbing concessions, and mingling, Fit For a King took the stage first. This writer was a bit late and did not make it into the photo pit by the first three granted songs for their bit. As this venue location did not allow house access, this writer could not obtain photos of the band. However, the opportunity of watching this high energy set was a blessing in itself. Being present in moments where bands such as Fit For A King get the crowed hyped up for the other performers, and even implementing their time to engage with the crowd, sets the mood for the night. I could not think of a better band to fit in this spot. At the end of their set the lights let up and event staff began to take their set down. Ripping away Fit For A Kings back drop to reveal Hollywood Undead’s backdrop. The crowd screamed with excitement upon the reveal of Hollywood Undead being next in line to perform. A bit later the set was completely up and Hollywood Undead, a band from Los Angeles, California, took the stage. This was another high energy performance and had the crowd on their toes! Hollywood undead threw balls into the crowd to invoke excitement for their set.
Upon Hollywood Undead ending their part of the show, the stage was set for the next act. As many of us in attendance at Credit Union 1 Amphitheater In Tinley Park expected that Halestorm would end the night the stage was set for their performance next. The lights Dimmed and Lzzy Hale, lead vocals of Halestorm, walked out with such power in her voice. It felt as if she fell from the heavens with the spotlight on her and the fog rolling in the background. “Chicago!” Lzzy yelled to the crowd. The crowd roared in response “are you ready!?” The crowd roared again in response. From stage right the band members walked out with their instruments in hand. Halestorm performed for an hour or so singing some of the fan favorites. “Sticks and Picks,” a little girl standing at barricade nearest the stage held a sign requesting the band give her guitar picks and drum sticks. Lzzy threw the girl a pick mid song. The best performance of the night, I personally overheard fans say, still having not seen I Prevail perform. It’s obvious that Halestorm is a fan favorite.
After Halestorm, again the stage was set, this time for the final act of the night, I Prevail. As the stage was getting adjusted for I Prevail ,and sound was tested fans screamed as they saw Dylan Alvarez from Hollywood Undead enter the pit to sign autographs and take selfies with fans! Dylan had security on their toes. A few minutes before I Prevail took the stage strobe lights flickered and the amphitheater darkened. A deep voice projected through the speakers and a video hit the screen presenting a hooded figure that appeared to resemble death and/or trauma, depending on one's perspective.
To take the stage first was Eric Vanlerberghe and Steve Menoian. In the background the bands drummer and other instrumentalists took their places on the stage. Starting the set off with "There’s Fear In Letting Go," "Body Bag," and "Self-Destruction." I Prevail covered Taylor Swift’s "Blank Space" and even brought Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale to the stage to perform "Can You See Me In The Dark." The show took a turn when Steve Menoian took the spotlight.
Steve spoke about his battle with depression and pulling himself out of a dark spot. “Before we go into this next track I want to personally talk for a minute, you know about something that I have been going through. Over the past couple of months I have actually had two surgeries for a rare disease in my neck called Eagle Syndrome. Even outside of that for the past couple of years I have got into a pretty dark spot. Where depression has hit me pretty fucking hard. During this time I have sunk to this point that has been so low that I really didn’t know what the fuck to do. It took me one day to really express not only to my band mates, but to my family and friends about how I felt, and God Damn that shit helped me get through some tough times. I know that some of you out here in this crowd probably feel the way I do. You’re in a tough spot, you’re feeling low, it’s hard to get out of bed in the mornings and it’s even harder to go to bed at night. But from me, someone who has gone through this a lot the past couple of years I promise you that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Rather you know it or not someone on this planet wants you here. Don’t fucking leave it because we want you here to. This next song is called breaking down.” Three songs after "Breaking Down," the band exited the stage leaving fans waiting for an Encore. Eric ran back out to the stage, “two more fucking songs is all we have left together.” The band performed a fan favorite "Hurricane," and ended their show with "Bow Down."
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