Concert Review: Powerman 5000, Ill Nino, Hed PE, Priest at Piere's, Ft. Wayne, IN

Where do I even begin to explain what an absolute blast this concert was?!  Powerman 5000 headlined with support from Hed PE, Ill Nino, and Priest at Piere’s Entertainment Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This was my first time seeing Powerman 5000 live, but I have been a fan since I was in middle school.  Posters would line the walls of my teenage bedroom, and Powerman 5000 and Hed PE were definitely included.  It was an absolutely wild fever-dream come true that I had this amazing opportunity to cover this show.  I was anxiously awaiting this date for months. 

Priest, a Swedish synthwave band, took the stage first.  Immediately, I was captivated, mesmerized and my focus was locked-in.  From the masks that they wear, to the heavy theatrics, and the beats, I wasn’t alone in this pure bewilderment. The crowd was roaring with screams, completely pumped up.  Their sound is a perfect blend of that dark sound but also beats that slap you right in the face.  It’s a glorious confusion and conundrum on whether to head-bang or dance.  Maybe do both?!

The vocalist, Mercury, wears a mask with the left eye being a red glowing light. His vest and clothes, all black and lined with spikes.  The other two members also wear masks and all black clothing.  The vibes were very science fiction, mixed with a heavy gothic feel.  

My brain was stimulated, my ears all the way satisfied.  Mercury was heavily engaged with his fans.  During my personal favorite song, “A Signal in the Noise”, as he sang the lyrics, “I think we’re getting closer”, he stretched out over the stage and held hands with a fan.  I was screaming with excitement internally as I pressed the shutter button and captured that powerful moment.  Priest is my newest obsession.  They were rockin’, electropoppin’, and hopefully never forgotten.  

Priest

Hed PE, a cross-genre band with rap, punk, rock and reggae influence came out with some seriously high energy next.  As previously mentioned, I have been a long-time fan and they definitely did not let me down.  Jared, the vocalist, had that crowd powered up.  This band’s energy was mosh-inducing.  The crowd was surfin’, circle-pitting and downright wild in the best way possible.  It was not a place for the weak.  

Jared came out after the show and met fans and signed autographs at the merch table.  He took photos also.  It was nice to be able to meet him, and take a photo with him.  I say it all the time, but there is something so magical and fulfilling when you get to interact so personably with the artists.  The best concerts I’ve ever been to have been when I had the opportunity to meet and greet for free.  It makes the fans feel so much more valued.  They are currently still touring, so be sure to go catch a show!

Hed PE

Ill Nino, with their brand spanking new vocalist Tommy Roulette III, came out and caused an epidemic of continued roaring and screams from the crowd.  Tommy absolutely owned that stage.  Ill Nino turned the heat way up with their sick as hell set.  

I kept having multiple random people walking around telling me about how good they were.  I had to just keep repeating, “I know!”  They were not wrong.  I was impressed with their heavy hitting Latin metal sound.  This tour is heading into its last days.  If you cannot make it to see them on this run, it is highly suggested you make a show the next time around.  Tommy came out after the show to interact with fans as well.  

Ill Nino

Powerman 5000, a numetal/alternative metal band pounced out next.  With the crowd thoroughly hyped up from the first two insanely talented bands, Powerman 5000 lit that place up, burning hot, melting faces, and the energy between the crowd and the band was a searing experience.  It was everything, plus some.  

Vocalist Spiderone has the most distinct sounding voice and he has not lost one spec of his talent over the years.  If anything, he’s powered up.  The band has had multiple line-ups, with Spiderone being the one remaining original member.  Even so, the current line-up of Murv on bass, Taylor and Dan on guitars, and Rattan on drums sounded perfectly nostalgic with the older stuff, and their current songs were played just as great as the songs I grew up listening to. I truly hope they stick together.  

Lighting was flashy and the sound was impeccable (right after a quick re-do of sound-check).  That did not stop any of the excitement from anyone.  They are perfectionists in their musical craft.  They were jumping in unison, a lovely metaphor, symbolizing the powerful energies of the crowd and band as one.

I was not let down, and it was obvious that the crowd was not let down either. Although, they did try to trick the people into thinking it was sadly over way too soon.  But with the roaring and screaming and demanding, they came back out to finish off the set-list.  These four bands touring together is a magnificent collision.  This is what it’s like when worlds collide. 

Powerman 5000