skillet, “rock resurrection” tour

Christian/Rock band Skillet announced their “Rock Resurrection” Tour in November of 2022. The band brought along Theory of a Deadman and special guest Saint Asonia.

The three bands hit the road for a 25-date tour beginning in Gary, Indiana, and ending in Los Angeles, CA. Most dates were sold out ahead of the actual show dates.

Courtesy of Sammy Rae || Arizona Financial Theatre

I attended the Phoenix, Arizona stop at the Arizona Financial Theatre. I purchased VIP packages, which included: early entry into the venue, early access to merch, a limited-edition signed tour poster, one GA or Pit ticket, and a special tour gift.

For the amount paid (around $200 per ticket), I thought it was a really great package. The special merch gift was a Skillet drawstring bag, a rock resurrection bandana, and a VIP lanyard. Although for the price, it would have been nice to get a signed lanyard.

Saint Asonia (lead singer of Three Days Grace) opened the entire show with a really energetic and fun set.

Courtesy of Sammy Rae || Saint Asonia

Saint Asonia Setlist:

• Better Place

• Above It All

• The Hunted

• Never Too Late (Three Days Grace cover)

• I Hate Everything About You (Three Days Grace cover)

• I Don’t Care (Apocalyptica cover)

• Devastate

• Let Me Live My Life

From their seven-song setlist, I became a fan of them. They had a really great stage presence and put their all into their performance. I would definitely love to see them again. I also really loved how Adam Gontier (lead singer) did songs from his former band, Three Days Grace.

Theory of a Deadman came on next with a full set. Their set began with Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline playing, and it turned into the band’s song, Dinosaur.

Courtesy of Sammy Rae || Theory of a Deadmand

I have never heard of this band prior to this night, and I was really surprised that Skillet asked them to open for them. They were a really talented band, but going on tour with a Christian band when your songs are pretty sexual and volatile isn’t a good mix.

Theory of a Deadman Setlist:

• Dinosaur

• Bitch Came Back

• Two of Us (Stuck)

• Not Meant to Be

• Lowlife

• History of Violence

• So Happy (tour debut)

• Wicked Game (Chris Isaak cover)

• Ambulance

• Friends in Low Places (partial Garth Brooks cover)

• Angel

• Hate My Life

• Rx (Medicate)

• Paradise City (partial Guns N’ Roses cover)

• Walk (Pantera cover)

• Song 2 (partial Blur cover)

• Bad Girlfriend

Courtesy of Sammy Rae || Theory of a Deadman

I have been familiar with Skillet since I was very young but didn’t listen to a lot of their music. Going into this show, I was just excited to be back to live shows again and to have a good time. I was not expecting a full-on SHOW; smoke shooting out from the stage, a high-energy show, wanting the show to go on longer than it did, and walking out of the venue a fan of theirs.

From the second Skillet’s set started, it was one amazing thing after another. Their setlist was perfectly created, and they engaged with the audience incredibly.

Being in the pit for my first Skillet concert was definitely an experience - a good one. I loved being able to feel like a part of the show with this band that I had listened to so long ago.

Courtesy of Sammy Rae || Skillet