Godsmack and Stone Temple Pilots at Xfinity Center – July 2, 2026

Summer tours often promise a celebration of rock’s past and present, but Godsmack’s Rise of Rock Tour with Stone Temple Pilots delivered on that promise in emphatic fashion at Xfinity Center on Thursday night. Pairing two bands that helped define modern hard rock in different decades, the evening was packed with massive riffs, radio staples, and performances that reminded the sold-out crowd why these songs have endured. The two bands kicked off the holiday weekend in the blistering heat. While Stone Temple Pilots leaned into their grunge-era classics, hometown heroes Godsmack returned to Massachusetts with a career-spanning homecoming set.

Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots wasted no time launching into “Dead & Bloated,” immediately setting a heavy tone before rolling through favorites including “Wicked Garden” and “Vasoline.” Jeff Gutt continues to make the material his own, honoring Scott Weiland’s legacy without simply imitating him, while brothers Dean and Robert DeLeo once again demonstrated why they’re one of rock’s tightest rhythm sections. The emotional dedication of “Big Empty” to Weiland drew one of the loudest singalongs of the night, while “Plush,” “Interstate Love Song,” and a furious closing run of “Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart” and “Sex Type Thing” ensured the band’s concise set never lost momentum.

Godsmack

When the lights dimmed for Godsmack, Sully Erna strode onto the stage to a deafening hometown welcome before launching into “When Legends Rise.” The band barely paused for breath, ripping through “You and I,” “Cryin’ Like a Bitch!!,” “Straight Out of Line,” and “Awake” with the kind of precision and power that has made them one of modern hard rock’s most reliable live acts. Godsmack’s lineup has changed since the last time they came to Great Woods, with longtime members Tony Rombola and Shannon Larkin announcing their retirements from the band last year. With guitarist Sam Koltun and recently added drum legend Mike Mangini on stage, the band’s chemistry was undeniable, while longtime bassist Robbie Merrill anchored every song with his trademark thunderous low end. The crowd responded with nonstop fists in the air, proving that a Massachusetts audience will always have a special connection to one of its biggest hometown success stories.

The second half of Godsmack’s set showcased the band’s ability to balance crushing heaviness with memorable hooks. “Keep Away,” “Love-Hate-Sex-Pain,” and the haunting groove of “Voodoo” were among the evening’s highlights before Erna and Mangini engaged in the always-entertaining drum battle, “Batalla de los Tambores,” that has become a signature moment of Godsmack shows. Fans paid extra attention to Mangini’s performance through the duel, as his skills are legendary, especially throughout New England.

The encore provided one last emotional and energetic payoff, beginning with “Under Your Scars,” before exploding into “Bulletproof” and the inevitable closer “I Stand Alone.” By the time the final notes rang out across Xfinity Center, Godsmack had delivered a celebration of hard rock that was loud, polished, and impossible not to enjoy.