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Disturbed Gets Down With The Sickness at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit

Disturbed Performs at Little Caesars Arena©John Swider

Detroit,Michigan(March10,2025)- Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena was packed to the rafters Monday as fans gathered for Disturbed’s The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour. The Chicago-formed heavy rock quartet is on the road in celebration of its five-times platinum debut’s anniversary, a rare feat that few modern albums are likely to achieve in the current world of song-oriented streaming. Joined by Three Days Grace and Sevendust on this leg of the tour, the show offered a powerful lineup that delivered more than four hours of rock and metal highlighted with career-defining albums, returns of some forgotten gems plus few samples of upcoming releases. What could have been a night of simple nostalgic rock and roll from the lineup, turned into a full-fledged showcase of where these bands have been — and where they’re headed.

Sevendust Kicks Off with a High-Energy Set

Sevendust took the stage with a no-frills performance that set a heavy pace for the night. Their 30-minute set felt short for a band that has built its reputation on powerful live shows, but frontman Lajon Witherspoon made every minute count. Witherspoon’s high-octane vocals, backed by the band’s tight, groove-driven sound, came out firing at Little Caesars Arena. Opening with “Black,” Sevendust leaned into their heavier catalog, reminding the crowd why they’ve been a cornerstone of the hard rock scene for nearly thirty years.

Throughout the set, Witherspoon worked the extended runway, reaching out to fans along the barricade, while guitarists Clint Lowery and John Connolly tore through riffs and harmonies that pushed tracks like “Denial” and “Enemy,” to every corner of the arena. The band’s trademark chemistry was on full display as they worked through the small 6-song setlist, keeping the energy flowing and delivering a set that left a strong impression — even as the night’s opener.

Sevendust Performs at Little Caesars Arena©John Swider

Three Days Grace: The Return of Adam Gontier

Three Days Grace, Disturb’s defacto touring partner over the last decade, took the stage next for a full hour-long set. There was a noted extra level of anticipation for the hard rock outfit, as this tour marks Adam Gontier’s return to the band after more than a decade away. Gontier, who left the group in 2013, now shares vocal duties with Matt Walst and together they offered a hit filled set that bridged the gap between the band’s early and more recent eras.

Opening with “So Called Life,” Three Days Grace wasted little time delving deep into their extensive catalog. Historical favorites “I Hate Everything About You,” “Animal I Have Become,” and “Pain,” had fans on their feet and singing back at the band from start to finish. Gontier’s distinctive voice, known for its raw edginess, brought a familiar feel to older tracks, while Walst’s contributions provided a new dynamic that worked surprisingly well.

What stood out most over the hour long set was how effortlessly Gontier and Walst blended their vocals, taking turns leading verses and harmonizing during choruses. There was a sense of genuine synergy onstage, as if the two frontmen had been working together for years rather than just months.

Three Days Grace also offered a glimpse of their upcoming direction by including newer tracks like “Lifetime.” The new cut showed that while the band is embracing its roots, they are also committed to evolving. The set served as a reminder of Three Days Grace’s enduring appeal — spanning fans who discovered them in the early 2000s to those following them today.

Three Days Grace Performs at Little Caesars Arena©John Swider

Disturbed Delivers a Career-Spanning Set with a Nod to The Sickness

When Disturbed finally hit the stage, it was clear that they were here to celebrate The Sickness — but also to remind fans that they are far from finished. The band’s portion of the night was split into two sets: a full performance of The Sickness followed by a “greatest hits” collection that pulled cuts from across their long spanning career.

The show opened with a video montage that played behind a large curtain, tracing the band’s 25-year history. When the curtain dropped, David Draiman was wheeled out in a straightjacket and mask, a visual throwback to some of their earliest tours. Once freed, the band launched directly into “Voices,” kicking off the album’s full run-through.

Hearing The Sickness performed in order offered a rare opportunity to revisit deep cuts like Numb,” “Conflict,” and “Violence Fetish,” alongside better-known tracks like “Stupify” and “Fear.” Fans who may have never heard songs like “Want,” or “Droppin’ Plates,” live were treated to tight performances that proved these songs have not lost any of their punch.

A highlight was “Shout 2000,” Disturbed’s cover of Tears for Fears “Shout,” which hasn’t been part of the band’s setlists in years. For longtime fans, it was a nostalgic deep dive into material that first put Disturbed on the map.

The band capped the Sickness portion with “Meaning of Life,” adding a dramatic element by dressing in orange prison jumpsuits and staging a mock electrocution scene as Draiman sang with fake blood running from his forehead — one of the night’s more theatrical moments that brought out cheers rather than groans.

Disturbed Performs at Little Caesars Arena©John Swider

The Hits Keep Coming

After a short break, Disturbed returned to deliver an eight-song set that ran through some of their biggest hits and more recent material.

“Ten Thousand Fists,” “Indestructible,” “Inside the Fire,” and “Stricken” all made appearances, each delivered with the heavy precision fans expect. They also performed “I Will Not Break,” a new single that shows Disturbed still has a little creative fuel in the tank.

A giant inflatable version of their mascot The Guy loomed at the back of the stage for several songs, including “Bad Man” and their powerful cover of *Genesis’ “Land of Confusion.”

Of course, “The Sound of Silence,” arguably Disturbed’s biggest crossover hit, was part of the set — although it wasn’t without issues. A technical problem left only Draiman’s vocals and one acoustic guitar audible for much of the performance. Draiman acknowledged the mishap afterward with humor, earning laughs from the crowd, smoothly transitioned into a heartfelt speech about music’s role in bringing people together during turbulent times.

Another touching moment followed when Draiman took a moment to reflect on how concerts give people a break from daily life, before inviting two young fans — Chase and Hunter — on stage for “The Light.”

Disturbed Performs at Little Caesars Arena©John Swider

The night came to a fiery close with “Into the Fire,” a track that brought out more pyro and wrapped up an evening that blended nostalgia, showmanship, and fresh energy.

What could have easily been a night resting on the laurels of The Sickness turned out to be much more — a celebration of Disturbed’s career as a whole, with a strong supporting cast in Sevendust and Three Days Grace to round out the bill.

Fans who filled Little Caesars Arena didn’t just get a trip down memory lane; they got a reminder that Disturbed remains a vital force in modern rock, still capable of drawing big crowds and putting on a show worth remembering.

As the tour continues across North America, this stop in Detroit demonstrated that Disturbed isn’t just marking an anniversary — they’re reinforcing their place in the rock world for years to come.

 DISTURBED Performs at Little Caesars Arena©John Swider

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