On June 30, the Rise of Rock Tour rolled into the Empower FCU Amphitheater in Syracuse, delivering an evening packed with hard rock anthems from Godsmack, Stone Temple Pilots, and Dorothy. Despite the hot summer temperatures, fans filled the venue early, proving that the heat wasn’t enough to keep them away from a night of rock music.

Opening the evening was Dorothy, who wasted no time getting the crowd energized. Their blues-infused hard rock sound made for a strong start, setting the tone for what would become an unforgettable night.

Next up were Stone Temple Pilots, who were met with enthusiastic cheers from the Syracuse crowd. Fans sang along to nearly every song, creating one of the loudest singalongs of the evening. Frontman Jeff Gutt made a memorable trip to the barricade during the set, singing directly to fans in the front row and creating a special moment for those lucky enough to be within arm’s reach.

As the anticipation continued to build, a large curtain was lowered across the stage to conceal Godsmack’s final setup. The excitement throughout the amphitheater grew with every passing moment until the curtain finally dropped, revealing the band ready to take the stage.

Godsmack exploded into their set with “When Legends Rise,” immediately igniting the crowd. Throughout the night, the band delivered one hard-hitting performance after another, mixing newer material with the songs that have made them one of rock’s biggest acts. Fan favorites including “Voodoo” and “Awake” had thousands of voices singing along while fists filled the air.

Closing out the night with the powerful “I Stand Alone,” Godsmack left the Syracuse crowd wanting more. From Dorothy’s energetic opening set to Stone Temple Pilots’ crowd-pleasing performance and Godsmack’s explosive headlining show, the Rise of Rock Tour proved to be a fitting celebration of modern rock, making for an unforgettable summer evening at Empower FCU Amphitheater.