Judas Priest/Sabaton - Rosemont Theatre 5/1/2024

[Anthrax442]

Went to the show last night with my kids due to the older one like Sabaton (although, when we got in the car to drive to the show, he mentioned how he hadn't listened to them in a while...oops).

I've never been to a show at Rosemont Theatre the entire time I've been here, but Priest seems to like to play there, as that's the 4th time they've played there since 2015 (can't blame theme for trading the Horseshoe Casino for that). The theater is nice...and honestly, a bit too nice for a rock show. It doesn't have the same charm of an older theater like the Arcada or the Pabst up in Milwaukee. Seems kind of sterile. It is in the middle of the Rosemont entertainment district though, so there's tons of stuff and hotels right there if you wanted to make a day of it.

Sabaton...geez, where to even start with these guys. I guess if you like them, they're solid, but they're the definition of a niche band. They seem nice enough, but parts of the show, they were clearly taking the piss, I think due to knowing that 95% of the audience was there to see Priest. I was surprised they let them bring their giant tank drum riser on the tour, I'm pretty sure that's the most crew and gear setup that I've ever seen an opener have, except for maybe Alice Cooper when he opened for Iron Maiden, but that's probably apples and oranges.

Judas Priest, well, they were Priest. Nothing technically wrong with them, and they sounded great, although Halford going back stage in between every song and really only stopping to address the crowd like twice was somewhat concerning. I think there was one specific time where he was back there like 20 seconds longer than everyone else was expecting, and Richie was just left looking around like..."uh...okay, I guess I'll just start the next song". Set list was interesting, three from the new album, and still Lighting Strikes from Firepower. Little disappointed nothing from Redeemer of Souls, but with 50 years of songs, it's understood there's only so much you can do with an 18 song set. I probably could have done without hearing Devil's Child or Love Bites, but I can't complain too much about deeper cuts, I suppose. This show did remind me that I'm done standing up for two hours for a concert, just hard to enjoy even a good performance when your legs and feet are cramping up.

I've got to be honest, I think I had more fun seeing KK's Priest a few months ago, but that's not necessarily anyone's fault, just probably a combination of things (more appropriate venue, different openers, different setlist, balcony seating, etc.)

[ar1888]

I’m seeing JP in Kalamazoo this Sat. Not really interested in the opener, what time did Judas Priest take the stage?

[Anthrax442]

I’m seeing JP in Kalamazoo this Sat. Not really interested in the opener, what time did Judas Priest take the stage?

Sabaton went on at 7:30, and played an hour, with 30 minute set change. If you've got the same time, I'd try to get to your seat around 8:45.

[El Vampiro Blanco]

I fucking hate these singers going backstage between every song and during the solo in a song these days.
Eric Adams is another one who does that....

[ar1888]

I’m seeing JP in Kalamazoo this Sat. Not really interested in the opener, what time did Judas Priest take the stage?

Sabaton went on at 7:30, and played an hour, with 30 minute set change. If you've got the same time, I'd try to get to your seat around 8:45.

Thank you.

[Michael Hotts Ghost]

Never again ... put me to sleep at Ozzfest years ago. Swore them off. Rob struggles to sing too much now anyway. Put it to bed.

[BernieTaupson]

If they just wheeled his oxygen machine onto the stage maybe he wouldn’t have to keep leaving.

[LAglamrocker]

The kids review would be way more fun and honest
“ we got go to a dad show “

[ParaDime77]

Never again ... put me to sleep at Ozzfest years ago. Swore them off. Rob struggles to sing too much now anyway. Put it to bed.

This.

Have no idea why anyone cares about a band who has been a dwindling draw for years and years.

[Fletch]

I saw Priest and Sabaton last night in Huntsville. It was a good show. I’d say the venue was maybe 60% sold, plenty of seats were available. Also noticed Rob going backstage every song much like has been mentioned already…and at one point I was able to see him hitting the oxygen machine pretty heavy after about the third song. Belting out those songs, I can see why. Kind of a pared-down stage set up but it worked.

Sabaton was given enough time to play something like 12 songs. And there was a lot of folks there that knew their stuff even the song sung in Swiss. I’d never heard of them before.

[Love_Industry]

.

Sabaton was given enough time to play something like 12 songs. And there was a lot of folks there that knew their stuff even the song sung in Swiss. I’d never heard of them before.

There is no Swiss language even in Switzerland. Sabaton may have sung in Swedish. And they suck but I guess they can be entertaining live.

[VicStelly]

No interest in Sabaton. Szw them with Priest a few years ago. Boring. Zero charisma.

Love the new Priest record though.

[Fletch]

Their music - and the way the dude sang with his accent - kind of reminded me of a cross between Five Finger Death Punch and the guy from Disturbed from a music perspective. The drum set tank was kind of wasted though, with the royal treatment they got as an opener, I expected something like the KISS tank. They were ok but I don’t need to see them again.

Priest was great.