Pop Break Live: Skillet ‘Victorious Tour’ with LEDGER and Ashes to New at The Fillmore Silver Spring in Silver Spring, Maryland
Words and Photos by David Weaver
On 8 March, veteran Christian rockers Skillet shook the walls at Fillmore Silver Spring with acoustic awesome. Though I’ve been familiar with their music as far back as their 2009 album Awake, this was my first time seeing them live.
The night kicked off with LEDGER–Skillet’s multi-talented drummer/backing vocalist. LEDGER continues to impress with her sweeping vocals and uplifting lyrics. She opened with songs from her 2018 self-titled EP, including the inner fire stoking “Warrior,” before performing her latest single– “My Arms.” The track, which was released in February of 2020, is a fantastic balance of ballad and rock, soothing and encouraging. LEDGER’s ability to convey emotion and connect with her audience is uncanny. I’m looking forward to seeing her perform live again someday soon.
From Ashes to New wasted no time bringing the energy, opening with Broken, off their 2018 album, The Future. Their set list was a fantastic mix of their catalogue, going so far back as to play “Stay This Way” off their 2013 self-titled album. I was especially thrilled to hear them play “Through It All,” –the first song I had heard of theirs–as the closing song.
From Ashes to New continues to put out high quality music, and an equally high energy performance. In 2019, they put out a great single collaboration– “Every Second” featuring Eva Under Fire, and performed alongside Mongolian rock band The Hu for their song “Yuve Yuve Yu.” With their passion and creativity, you can bet the next album From Ashes to New releases will be one to look forward to.
Skillet had, quite possibly, the most impressive light display I had ever seen. It paired perfectly with the Fillmore’s already impressive stage lighting. Combine this stunning visual spectacle with Skillet’s outstanding stage presence, and it’s no wonder that the Fillmore erupted into cheers the moment they opened up with “Feel Invincible,”–a rousing rocker of a song which will erase any self-doubt you may feel.
Previously, I had seen live footage of guitarist Korey Cooper on stage but seeing her perform in person is unreal. She is probably the most passionate guitarist I’ve ever photographed. She doesn’t just shred, she rips the guitar to ribbons, and takes showmanship to a whole new level. Seeing vocalist John Cooper pick up a bass and thrash a melody alongside Korey, with the stage covered in dazzling strobe lights, was enough to send not only the crowd but also the photographers in the photo pit into a cheering fervor. Whether it was seeing Seth Morrison, guitarist, rock out a duet with cellist, Tate Olsen, or watching Jen Ledger put on a head banging, fist pumping drum solo, Skillet’s live performance at Fillmore Silver Spring was impressive. If you haven’t seen Skillet live, do so. If you’ve already seen them live, go see them again.
Set List:
Feel Invincible
Not Gonna Die
You Ain’t Ready
Whispers in the Dark
Legendary
Awake and Alive
Back from the Dead
Save Me
Hero
Anchor
Savior
Undefeated
Victorious
Stars
Comatose
Monster
Rebirthing
The Resistance
