GODSMACK, DOROTHY In Idaho Falls, ID With Photos!

Monday, October 12, 2026 at 9:58 AM

By Breezy Bird, Idaho Correspondent

GODSMACK Proves What Rock and Roll Is Supposed to Be: The Rise of Rock World Tour 2026 Hits Idaho Falls At Mountain America Center On October 10, 2026

Live Photos By Breezy Bird Photography

There are some shows you enjoy, some you remember, and then there are those that remind you exactly why you fell in love with rock and roll in the first place. GODSMACK’s Rise of Rock World Tour 2026 at the Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls was absolutely one of the latter!

I had just seen this tour two weeks earlier in Boise, Idaho, and it was fantastic. So, when I had the opportunity to see GODSMACK again in my town, I was beyond excited. Seeing a band you love twice in such a short time can be a gamble. Would the second show live up to the first? Would the excitement still be there? The answer was a resounding YES! One disappointment, however, was the absence of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS on this leg of the tour. They were phenomenal in Boise, and their addition to the Idaho Falls lineup would have taken this show completely over the top. But even without them, the night delivered more than enough rock and roll to leave the crowd wanting more.

DOROTHY opened the evening with an eight-song set, and I have to say, their performance was even better than it was in Boise just two weeks earlier. The sound quality was noticeably stronger, and the overall performance felt tighter and more confident. For those unfamiliar with DOROTHY, the Los Angeles-based rock band formed in 2014 around powerhouse vocalist Dorothy Martin. The band broke through with its debut album, ‘Rockisdead’ in 2016, featuring songs such as “Raise Hell” and “Wicked Ones.” Since then, the band has continued to develop its signature blend of blues rock, hard rock, and Southern-inspired grit. Albums including ‘28 Days in the Valley,’ ‘Gifts from the Holy Ghost,’ and 2025’s ‘The Way’ showcase a sound that combines heavy guitars, soulful vocals, and plenty of attitude. DOROTHY has never been afraid to sound different from the pack, and that is part of its appeal.

Dorothy Martin remains the driving force behind the band, with the touring lineup of Nick Perri, Eliot Lorango, and Jake Hayden helping deliver that bluesy, hard-hitting sound. What stands out about DOROTHY is how bluesy the music feels compared with much of what currently dominates rock radio. There is a soulful, almost old-school quality to the performance that gives the music a character of its own. Martin’s vocals have grit, power, and personality, and the band doesn't need to chase current trends to make an impression. While their classic blues-rock sound is quite different from GODSMACK’s heavier, more aggressive style, I believe DOROTHY earned some new fans in Idaho Falls. They were a strong opening act, and their improved sound and performance made this set even more enjoyable than the one I saw in Boise. That's what a good opening band should do: bring its own identity to the stage, deliver a memorable performance, and leave the audience ready for more.

SETLIST:

•   “Down to the Bottom”
•   “The Devil I Know”
•   “Gun in My Hand”
•   “Bones”
•   “Rest in Peace”
•   “Medicine Man”
•   “Dark Nights”
•   “Elevate”

As the crowd filled the Mountain America Center to near capacity, anticipation built for the headliner. GODSMACK took the stage following a video introduction by MIX MASTER MIKE, and from the moment the show began, it was clear we were in for something special.

Formed in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1995, GODSMACK built its reputation on a powerful combination of heavy riffs, distinctive vocals, pounding rhythms, and an unmistakable sound. The band's self-titled debut album, released in 1998, helped establish its place in modern hard rock. Albums such as ‘Awake,’ ‘Faceless,’ and ‘IV’ further cemented that reputation, producing enduring songs including “Whatever,” “Voodoo,” “Awake,” “I Stand Alone,” and “Serenity.” Their music has powered rock radio for decades, and their ability to deliver those songs live is a big part of why they remain such a formidable live act.

The band’s lineup has evolved over the years. For this 2026 tour, GODSMACK featured Sully Erna on lead vocals and guitar, Robbie Merrill on bass, Sam Koltun on guitar, and the legendary Mike Mangini on drums. Mangini, formerly of DREAM THEATER, joined the touring lineup in June 2026 following the departure of drummer Wade Murff. His arrival brought an extraordinary level of technical ability to an already powerful live show. And what a show it was!

GODSMACK delivered a 15-song set packed with hit after hit. The sound was fantastic, the lighting was spectacular, and the production was impressive without ever overshadowing the music itself. Let me be clear: this was not some overproduced performance hiding behind technology. There was no feeling that the band needed autotune or prerecorded vocals and backtracks to carry the show. What we got was real musicians playing real instruments, with all the power, personality, and raw energy that make live rock and roll so special. It was loud. It was raw. It was honest. And it was absolutely perfect!

One of the coolest highlights of the night was the drum battle between Sully Erna and Mike Mangini. If you have never seen Erna play drums, you are missing an important part of what makes him such a versatile musician. Watching him go head-to-head with Mangini, an iconic drummer known for his extraordinary technical skill, was a treat all on its own. The massive drum kits spun and moved across the stage while the lighting danced around them as the two musicians traded rhythms and seamlessly played together. Erna started with hand percussion and moved to the drum kit, demonstrating his musical versatility while Mangini brought his precision and power to the performance.

The chemistry between them was fantastic. Their big smiles and playful banter added another layer of entertainment, while the bassist and guitarist contributed to the spectacle rather than simply standing in the background. This wasn't just two musicians showing off their skills. It was a genuinely entertaining exchange between two incredibly talented performers who appeared to be having as much fun as the audience. The entire sequence was a reminder that live music is about more than recreating what we hear on an album. It is about watching musicians feed off each other's energy, take chances, and create something exciting in the moment. This was one of those moments.

Another highlight came during “Something Different,” when Erna used his charisma to get women in the audience up onto the broad shoulders of the men around them. It was a scene reminiscent of a 1985 rock show, and it brought a wonderfully old-school rock-and-roll energy to the arena. Erna wasn't afraid to call out sections of the audience that weren't matching the energy of the show, either. Section 111even received a little extra attention for its lackluster response! Throughout the night, Erna interacted with the crowd, joked around, challenged people to bring more energy, and made the audience feel like part of the performance. He was energetic, funny, engaging, and completely at home on that stage.

Then came another memorable moment when he brought five-year-old concertgoer David onto the stage to help sing “Whatever.” It was so cool to see Sully interact with the young man who was obviously nervous. He was kind and encouraging, creating a connection that could be felt by everyone in attendance. These moments can turn a great concert into a personal memory that lasts a lifetime. For David, I imagine this will be a night he talks about for decades to come.

Erna has the presence, confidence, and personality that a great frontman needs. He knows when to push the crowd, when to have fun, and when to let the music speak for itself. His voice sounded phenomenal, and his command of the stage never wavered. This is what a frontman should be. No gimmicks needed. Just talent, confidence, connection, and the ability to make thousands of people feel like they are all part of the same experience.

As incredible as the main set was, the encore brought a more meaningful feeling to the evening. Erna and guitarist, Sam Koltun, returned to the stage for an acoustic rendition of “Under Your Scars.” The song served as a tribute to those we have lost in our personal lives and in music. It also stood as a reminder to those still fighting their own battles that their stories matter. This is where GODSMACK's connection to The Scars Foundation becomes especially meaningful. Established to provide resources that encourage people to open up and share their battle scars of life, The Scars Foundation’s mission recognizes that people carry experiences that can contribute to mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, suicidal thoughts, and PTSD. By encouraging people to speak openly about their struggles, the foundation aims to help break the stigma surrounding mental health and remind people that they are not alone.

Erna encouraged everyone in attendance to wear their scars proudly, not hide them. Instead of viewing our scars as something to be ashamed of, we can recognize them as badges of honor. They are evidence of what we have survived, what we have learned, and what makes each of us who we are. The foundation's message is that we are all imperfectly perfect, and that our experiences, even the painful ones, are part of what makes us unique. Erna briefly discussed the importance of The Scars Foundation and encouraged the audience to take a picture of its information because you never know when you or someone you care about might need it. His reference to the silent killer was a sobering reminder of how important it is to take mental health seriously and to reach out when someone is struggling.

There is something powerful about hearing that message in a room full of people brought together by music. Rock and roll has always provided an outlet for anger, grief, frustration, pain, and hope. Sometimes a song gives us the words we cannot find ourselves. Sometimes a concert gives us a place to let go. And sometimes a simple reminder that someone understands can make more of a difference than we realize. That acoustic performance of “Under Your Scars” showed a more vulnerable side of a band known for its intensity and reminded everyone that beneath the volume, the lights, and the spectacle, music can connect us in deeply personal ways.

GODSMACK's show was fantastic, epic, and worth far more than the cost of the ticket. The lighting and sound were perfection. The musicianship was phenomenal, the setlist delivered hit after hit, and the interaction with the crowd made the entire evening feel alive. Yes, there were lights and video screens. Yes, the production was impressive. But at its core, this was a well-produced, honest rock-and-roll show built around musicians who know their craft and a frontman who knows how to command a stage. It was live. It was real. It was raw. And it was everything a rock show should be. GODSMACK proved once again why they continue to set the standard for live hard rock. I would really like to thank the GODSMACK team for allowing me the opportunity to review the show. Being able to experience and share a performance like this is something I genuinely appreciate. This concert ranks among the best live shows I have ever experienced. After decades of rock bands coming and going, GODSMACK continues to deliver the kind of performance that reminds us why live music matters. If you stayed home, you missed one hell of a night! THIS is what a rock show is meant to be.

Editor's Note: Sully Erna is using a guitar during part of the show with a KNAC sticker on it. The 'KNAC' part is on the back and the 'Pure Rock' part is on the front.

SETLIST:

•   Mix Master Mike Intro
•   “Generation Day”
•   “When Legends Rise”
•   “You and I”
•   “1000hp”
•   “Awake”
•   “Something Different”
•   “Keep Away”
•   “Rocky Mountain Way”
•   “Love-Hate-Sex-Pain”
•   “Voodoo”
•   Drum Battle
•   “Whatever”
•   “Under Your Scars”
•   “Bulletproof”
•   “I Stand Alone”

Remaining Tour Dates:

Tue Oct 13 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena
Wed Oct 14 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory
Fri Oct 16 – La Crosse, WI – La Crosse Center
Sat Oct 17 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
Tue Oct 20 – Milwaukee, WI – Landmark Credit Union Live
Wed Oct 21 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion
Fri Oct 23 – Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
Sat Oct 24 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena

DOROTHY