Pop Break Live: WDHA Rock the Rock Fest 2023 featuring Breaking Benjamin, The Pretty Reckless, Sevendust, Beartooth and Dorothy at The Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Friday April 28, 2023
Words + Photos by Julie Hoffman
The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey filled with big rock ‘n’ roll energy on Friday April 28th for WDHA’s Rock the Rock Fest 2023. The concert featured Breaking Benjamin, The Pretty Reckless, Sevendust, Beartooth and Dorothy.
Whether you were rocking out in the stands, or ROCKIN’ in the pit, the energy of the night was beyond amazing.
DJ’s from 105.5 WDHA, “The Rock of New Jersey” came out to present each act and get the crowd hyped throughout the fun and rocking night.
Please Note: All setlists credit to setlist.fm.
Dorothy
The show opened with Dorothy. Dorothy is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2014. The crowd LOVED her fantastic performance – she definitely got the crowd rocking and ready for a fun night.
Setlist:
Down to the Bottom
Hurricane
What’s Coming to Me
Black Sheep
Flawless
Rest in Peace
Gifts From the Holy Ghost
Sevendust
Sevendust is an American rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1994. The arena filled with high energy the moment the band got on stage. The band is no stranger to New Jersey having been a staple on 89.5 WSOU and WDHA since the ’90s and having played venues such as Starland Ballroom and long-gone, but not forgotten Birch Hill Nightclub in Old Bridge.
Sevendust is: Lajon Witherspoon [lead vocals], Clint Lowery [lead guitar, backing vocals], John Connolly [rhythm guitar, backing vocals], Vince Hornsby [bass], and Morgan Rose [drums]
Setlist:
Pieces
Denial
Praise
Waffle
Shine
Crucified
Face to Face
Beartooth
Beartooth is an American band formed from Columbus, OH. The hardcore punk band has gone through a number of iterations with this current lineup bringing one heck of a show to the Garden State. Lead singer Caleb Shomo brought the high energy and wild fun to the stage.
Beartooth is: Caleb Shomo [lead vocals], Oshie Bichar [Bass], Connor Denis [Drums], Zach Huston [lead guitar], Will Deely [Rhythm guitar]
Setlist:
Devastation
Disease
Sunshine!
The Lines
You Never Know
In Between
Hated
Riptide
The Past Is Dead
The Pretty Reckless
The Pretty Reckless is an American rock band from New York City featuring actress Taylor Momsen (Gossip Girl). The Pretty Reckless holds the record in rock radio for the most number #1’s by a female artist. They delivered an absolutely AMAZING performance!!
The Pretty Reckless is: Taylor Momsen [lead vocals, rhythm guitar], Ben Phillips [lead guitar, backing vocals], Jamie Perkins [drums], Mark Damon [bass]
Setlist:
Death by Rock and Roll
Since You’re Gone
Only Love Can Save Me Now
Make Me Wanna Die
Witches Burn
Going to Hell
Heaven Knows
Breaking Benjamin
Headlining the WDHA Rock the Rock Fest was Breaking Benjamin. Breaking Benjamin is an American rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The band has been a staple on WDHA seemingly from the jumpstart of their career. The band often hits New Jersey as both a full band and a stripped down acoustic band.
Breaking Benjamin is: Benjamin Burley [lead vocals, rhythm guitar], Jasen Rauch [lead guitar], Keith Wallen [rhythm guitar, backing vocals], Aaron Bruch[bass, backing vocals], Shaun Foist [drums]
Setlist:
Blow Me Away
Follow
Angels Fall
Sooner or Later (with Keith Wallen on vocals)
So Cold
Lights Out
Failure
Until the End
Red Cold River
Play Video
Dance With the Devil
Breath
Simple Design (with Aaron Bruch on vocals)
Give Me a Sign
Breakdown
Polyamorous
Evil Angel
I Will Not Bow
The Diary of Jane
