SEVENDUST, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, RETURN TO DUST In Idaho Falls, ID With Photos!

Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 12:18 PM

By Breezy Bird, Idaho Correspondent

The Dead / Seven Tour: A Tale of Two Audiences At Mountain America Center On September 23, 2026

Live Photos By Breezy Bird Photography

There are some concert bills that look great on paper, and then there are the ones that actually deliver once the lights go down. The Dead / Seven Tour, featuring RETURN TO DUST, THEORY OF A DEADMAN and SEVENDUST, certainly had the ingredients for a memorable night of rock. Unfortunately, when the tour rolled into the Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls on Wednesday, September 23, the night also became something of a “tale of two audiences.”

The Wednesday-night scheduling may have played a role in the smaller-than-expected crowd. The Mountain America Center was far from packed, and throughout the night it became obvious that some people were there primarily for THEORY OF A DEADMAN while others had come specifically for SEVENDUST. Quite a few fans arrived late, while others began heading for the exits before the final notes were played. That was unfortunate because there was plenty of talent on that stage. There was something to appreciate from every band on the bill and it’s a shame that so many missed it.

Opening the night was Los Angeles-based alternative/grunge band RETURN TO DUST. Formed in 2022, the quartet consists of Matty Bielawski on guitar and vocals, Graham Stanush on bass and vocals, Sebastian Gonzalez on guitar, and London Hudson on drums. The band released its self-titled debut album in 2024, followed by the ‘Speak Like the Dead’ EP in 2025. Their sound pulls heavily from the darker side of '90s alternative and grunge, with influences that include ALICE IN CHAINS, DEFTONES, and NIRVANA while still bringing a modern edge to the music.

RETURN TO DUST had a ton of energy from the moment they hit the stage. They moved around, interacted with the crowd and looked like a band that genuinely wanted to be there. Their sound was also impressive, especially considering they were playing to a crowd that was still filtering into the venue. Opening slots can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, particularly in an arena setting when many fans haven't arrived yet. RETURN TO DUST didn't let that stop them. They made the most of their time onstage and showed why they've been landing support slots with established rock acts. Their live performance made a strong case for keeping an eye on this young band. They came ready to make an impression and completed the assignment.

SETLIST:

•   “Black Road”
•   “Face Down”
•   “New Religion”
•   “Sweet Escape”
•   “Hey Ya!”
•   “Bored”
•   “Belly Up”

Next up were the first of the night's co-headliners, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, or TOAD, as their longtime fans affectionately call them. The Canadian rock band, fronted by Tyler Connolly, has been around since the early 2000s and has built a career around a combination of hard rock, catchy melodies and sing-along songs that have become staples of modern rock radio. Their catalog includes multi-platinum hits such as “Bad Girlfriend” and “Santa Monica,” and their career has now stretched well beyond two decades.

There was a lot to like about TOAD's performance in Idaho Falls. They sounded good, the production was strong and the lighting was particularly impressive. Musically, there wasn't much to complain about. But something felt different this time around. I've seen THEORY OF A DEADMAN before, and while I don't necessarily gravitate toward their music, I have always appreciated what they do live. They have traditionally been one of those bands that can pull you into the performance whether you're a dedicated fan or not. This time, though, they seemed somewhat lackluster by comparison. The energy wasn't quite where I've seen it before, and there wasn't the same level of crowd engagement that had made previous TOAD performances so entertaining. It wasn't a bad performance by any means. In fact, they sounded great. But when you've seen a band deliver a truly engaging show before, it's hard not to notice when that spark isn't quite as strong.

SETLIST:

•   “Barricade”
•   “Ambulance”
•   “Blow”
•   “Winnebago (Lay Low)”
•   “Bitch Came Back”
•   “Nutshell”
•   “Santa Monica”
•   “Not Meant to Be”
•   “Wicked Game”
•   “Don’t Stop Believing”
•   “A Thousand Miles”
•   “Low Life”
•   “Hate My Life”
•   “Rx (Medicate)”
•   “Paradice City” / “Crazy Train” / “Song 2”
•   “Bad Girlfriend”

Then came SEVENDUST. If you've followed my concert reviews for any length of time, you probably already know that SEVENDUST is one of my favorite bands of all time. I've seen them perform many times, and they have consistently been one of those bands that I know I can count on for an epic live experience.

SEVENDUST has been a force in hard rock and alternative metal for more than 30 years. The Atlanta band has built a remarkably loyal following through albums such as ‘Sevendust’, ‘Home’, ‘Animosity,’ and ‘Seasons,’ while earning Grammy nominations and a reputation as one of the most dependable live bands in the genre. The founding lineup continues to feature vocalist Lajon Witherspoon, guitarist Clint Lowery, guitarist/vocalist John Connolly, bassist Vince Hornsby and drummer Morgan Rose.

Unfortunately, Idaho Falls got SEVENDUST on an off night. Not because they weren't giving everything they had but because the entire band was under the weather. I don’t know about you, but when I’m sick, I can hardly move, let alone function at a high level. To the longtime fan, the difference was obvious. However, I’m sure the newbies in the audience were still impressed.

Lajon's voice was especially affected. Anyone who has heard Lajon sing live knows just how powerful that voice can be, so hearing him struggle was noticeable and heartbreaking. But what was even more noticeable was how hard he fought through it. This band performs for their fans and has high expectations of their product. Perfection is their standard and anything short of it is just not SEVENDUST. Lajon pushed himself throughout the performance and gave the audience everything he had. Under normal circumstances, SEVENDUST 's live show is a physical, emotional and musical powerhouse. On this particular night, they had to work around something completely outside their control, and they still managed to put on a fantastic performance. That's what I respect about this band.

They didn't simply go through the motions. They fought through an incredibly difficult night and continued to give their fans the best show they could. Anyone in the SEVENDUST family would sincerely appreciate their efforts.

And then there was Morgan Rose. That man is a beast behind the drum kit, sick or not! At one point, I found myself watching the silhouette of Morgan's braids flying through the air against the media screen behind him. Even when band was dealing with illness, Morgan was still putting everything he had into those drums. It's moments like that that remind you why SEVENDUST has remained such a formidable live band for so many years.

Clint Lowery, John Connolly, and Vince Hornsby rounded out the stage on guitars and bass. They traveled the stage, interacting with the fans and each other while flawlessly hitting every note and riff to perfection. There was a little less energy and a few fewer signature jumps, but I have nothing to complain about regarding their performance. In fact, the only complaint I have about the entire show is the lighting. Compared with most Sevendust shows I've seen, the lighting package felt surprisingly restrained. I don't know whether that was a creative decision specifically for this tour or whether the band's illness resulted in some changes to the production. Either way, it didn't have the visual impact I've come to expect from SEVENDUST. I love to see their faces when they perform. The energy and excitement that exudes from their smiles just draws you in no matter where you are in venue. But honestly, that's a minor complaint considering what the band was dealing with. At the end of the day, when the performance comes from the depths of your soul, its quality is undeniable.

Perhaps the most disappointing part of the evening wasn't anything that happened on stage; it was watching the audience. This show really did feel like a tale of two audiences.

There were people who clearly came to see THEORY OF A DEADMAN, and there were people who were only there for SEVENDUST. The crowd noticeably shifted throughout the evening, with many fans arriving after the opening acts and others leaving before SEVENDUST even started. Maybe Wednesday night simply wasn't the best night for this particular market. Whatever the reason, the attendance didn't seem to match the quality of the lineup.

SETLIST:

•   “One”
•   “Denial”
•   “Is This the Real You”
•   “Crucified”
•   “Praise”
•   “Waffle”
•   “Enemy”
•   “Angel’s Son”
•   “Black”
•   “Rumble Fish”
•   “Face to Face”

The verdict: The Dead / Seven Tour in Idaho Falls was a good night of rock, but it wasn't the best I've seen from either of the two headliners. RETURN TO DUST brought the youthful energy, THEORY OF A DEADMAN brought the lights, and SEVENDUST brought the determination to perform. Even on an off night when every member of the band must have felt like complete garbage, they gave their all. Lajon pushed through when he easily could have held back, and the rest of the band continued to play at a level that demonstrated exactly why they've remained one of my favorite live acts for so many years.

Sometimes a concert review isn't about pretending everything was perfect. This one wasn't. But none of that changes the fact that there was some quality music coming from that stage. And if SEVENDUST can put on a show like that when they're sick, I can only imagine what they would have delivered on a night when everyone was feeling 100 percent.

RETURN TO DUST