Concert review: Avenged Sevenfold & Good Charlotte | 08.01.26, Hollywood Casino Amphitheater (with photo gallery)

Photo of Avenged Sevenfold’s Johnny Christ by Sevauna Stageman

Avenged Sevenfold and Good Charlotte rolled into the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in Maryland Heights for their 2026 North American tour, and it was the perfect mix of heavy metal and pop-punk nostalgia. Even with a light drizzle hanging over the venue, the place was absolutely packed from the front rows all the way back to the lawn. Luckily, the weather never put a damper on things or slowed down the energy.

The night had a pretty unique flow compared to your standard co-headlining show. Avenged Sevenfold actually pulled “double duty.” They opened for themselves with a short set dedicated to their brand-new experimental project, STATICA. The four-song EP had just dropped before the tour started, and it’s completely different for them, trading in their usual metal riffs for really synth-heavy, electronic vibes. The presentation was just as out there. Instead of standing out in the open, the guys performed behind massive screens, letting the visuals take the lead. It felt a bit strange at first, especially because I had nothing to photograph, but it actually fit the experimental mood pretty well. There wasn’t much to see of the actual band members, but it was an interesting way to kick off the night with something unexpected.

Good Charlotte hit the stage, bringing over twenty years of history with them. Honestly, it was impressive how little their sound has aged. All those classic tracks they released during their peak years sounded almost exactly like the original recordings, which made the whole set feel like a genuine trip down memory lane. Starting with “The Anthem” felt like going into a time machine. With 18 songs in their set, they hit everything from “Girls & Boys” and “Riot Girl” to deeper cuts like “Predictable” and “The Chronicles of Life and Death.”

The production for Good Charlotte was top-tier, reminding the crowd they weren’t just a warm-up act. With huge video screens, intense lighting, and plenty of pyro, it was a headlining performance. For those of us who grew up with these songs in the early 2000s, hearing them live with that same iconic sound was easily one of the best parts of the evening.

Avenged Sevenfold returned to the stage for an unforgettable set. I’ve photographed the band before, so I knew they had a commanding presence, but this return to Hollywood Casino Amphitheater was a reminder of why their fans are so loyal and keep coming out to every tour. They came out swinging with “Nightmare” and worked their way through basically every era of their career. We got “Magic” and “Afterlife,” followed by “Shepherd of Fire” and “Hail to the King.” The back half of the set was just as heavy, featuring “M.I.A.” and “Unholy Confessions” before they eventually closed things out with “Cosmic.”

The absolute peak of the night for me, though, was during “Nobody.” When those opening guitar notes hit, the stage lights flashed in perfect sync, and the crowd just lost it. Thousands of people erupted all at once. This track is a personal favorite of mine, and hearing that massive, recognizable opening live was one of those concert moments that gives you instant chills.

M. Shadows was in great form vocally, but what really stood out was how the band wasn’t afraid to mess with their own songs. Instead of just playing the studio versions, they stretched out certain parts and switched up the arrangements. It gave the older tracks a fresh feel and made it feel like a live experience that you just can’t get by listening to the albums at home.

Pairing Good Charlotte and Avenged Sevenfold might seem like an odd choice on paper since they come from such different worlds, but the contrast actually made the night work. Good Charlotte gave everyone the hits they’ve loved for decades, while Avenged Sevenfold showed they’re still pushing boundaries with STATICA and continued to prove how amazing their live shows are. | Sevauna Stageman