Live music, how I’ve missed you. Just typing those two words makes me ecstatic. Put me at just about any show right now and you’ll most likely get a good review. Something I’ve taken for granted in the past, now no longer.
Now put me at a 3 Doors Down show and the review will be great. Why, simple, because they are great live. I’ve seen them a few times over the years, and they never disappoint. Just a great American rock band and they are damn proud of it. I love it!
On the evening of October 8th, 2021, the Mississippi quintet would take the stage at the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park in Simpsonville, SC. The nearly sold-out open-air venue were in for a treat as Brad Arnold (vocals), Chris Henderson (guitar), Greg Upchurch (drums), Chet Roberts (guitar) and Justin Biltonen (bass) would play their seminal debut album, The Better Life, in its entirety. Yeah, you know the one with their groundbreaking single “Kryptonite” along with other major hits “Loser”, “Duck and Run” and “Be Like That”, that one.
After Texan native Koe Wetzel got the crowd fired up with his unique blend of grunge, country and you name it, the quick rain shower would give way to the main event. 3 Doors Down wouldn’t waste anytime getting to the good stuff kicking their set off with the opener from 2000’s The Better Life, “Kryptonite”. It didn’t take long for the nearly 10,000 strong to get to their feet and sing along to the entire 16 song setlist.
They would continue down the track list of The Better Life, next up “Loser”. I’ve always loved this song as it builds from a mellow beginning to a resounding guitar solo tapering back down to a satisfying end. From there they would go into another monster hit “Duck and Run” definitely a fan favorite. At that point we would hit the quarter mark with “Not Enough”.
Next up would be arguably the biggest hit from their first album “Be Like That”. With it’s highly emotional message this one hits you right in the feels. Just an amazing composition. The next trio would take us midway through The Better Life, “Life of My Own”, Better Life” and “Down Poison”. Then they unexpectedly would veer off the path and pull out the title track from their sophomore effort Away from the Sun. As they said they would not only give us their first album, but they would sprinkle in some of the other hits and that they did.
Jumping back on The Better Life, would be “By My Side” which contains some of the best guitar and bass work on the album. Brad and company would then pull a fan favorite “Landing in London” (a song Bob Seger lent vocals to on the album) coming off of their third record, 2005’s Seventeen Days.
The next two tracks would wind down The Better Life. The album’s shortest track “Smack” clocking in at 2:29 and the closer “So I Need You”. I had forgotten just how great this album is and it was fantastic to hear it in its entirety. There is no filler material, just an absolute treat.
3 Doors Down could have closed the show there and I’m sure nobody would have been disappointed, but they didn’t. “It’s Not My Time” would keep the party going. Followed by Away from The Sun’s “Here Without You” and my favorite (and I’m sure many others) “When I’m Gone” to me a single that became an instant classic and remains one over two decades later.
As I said I’m just happy to be back to live music but damn 3 Doors Down makes it a whole lot better. Amazing live band with a massive catalog of hits. And there is no doubt these five guys are having a great time, they aren’t packing it in, you can tell they love what they’re doing and so do the fans. If 3 Doors Down is coming anywhere in your general vicinity get there it’s well worth the price of admission. And thank you to all of those behind the scenes that make it all happen, it was a great show!
