Concert Review: Godsmack (Coastal Credit Union Music Park)

BY MAUI CABRAL

There’s just something different about summer nights at Coastal. The second you walk through those gates, you already know you’re in for a big night. The open air, the lights, the massive crowd slowly filing in as the sun drops, it all feels bigger. With a lineup like Dorothy, Stone Temple Pilots, and Godsmack… this wasn’t just another concert. This was generations of rock music colliding into one night. For me personally, this one hit even harder because it was my second time shooting Godsmack and honestly, there’s something really cool about getting another opportunity to photograph a band that’s been such a huge part of rock music and my life for so many years.

Opening the night was Dorothy, and from the moment she stepped on stage, you could feel the confidence. Fronted by Dorothy Martin, the band blends hard rock, blues, and modern rock into something that feels powerful. Her voice carries that gritty, soulful energy that feels timeless. like classic rock influence meeting modern heaviness. Their set was the perfect way to open a night like this. Big vocals. Big hooks. Big energy. And visually? An absolute blast to shoot.

Then came Stone Temple Pilots, and suddenly the entire venue felt nostalgic in the best possible way. Few bands carry the kind of legacy STP does. Emerging out of the ‘90s alternative rock explosion, they became one of the defining voices of that era with songs like “Interstate Love Song,” “Plush,” “Vasoline,” and “Creep.” These aren’t just songs people remember. They’re songs people grew up with. And hearing them live under the lights at Coastal hit differently. The band still carries that same groove-heavy, melodic sound that made them iconic in the first place. And even after all these years, the crowd reaction proved just how timeless those songs really are. Every chorus turned into one giant singalong.

And then... Godsmack. The second the lights dropped, the entire venue erupted.

Formed in Boston in the late ‘90s, Godsmack helped define a huge era of hard rock and alternative metal with tracks like “Voodoo,” “Awake,” “I Stand Alone,” and “Whatever.” Their sound blends aggression, melody, tribal rhythms, and massive hooks into something unmistakably theirs. And live? They still sound massive. This being my second time shooting Godsmack, there was definitely a different level of appreciation this time around. The first time, you’re trying to absorb everything. This time, I felt more locked into the performance itself, anticipating moments, catching expressions, really taking in how polished and commanding their stage presence is. And Sully Erna? Still one of the most commanding frontmen in rock. The way he controls a crowd is effortless. One second the band is hitting with full force, and the next, the entire venue is locked into a quieter moment together. That balance is something not every band can pull off live. From the pit this show felt huge. The lighting bouncing across the crowd. The energy rolling through the lawn. Thousands of voices singing lyrics that have survived decades.

This is the kind of lineup that reminds you how deep rock music runs through people’s lives. Dorothy brought the fire. Stone Temple Pilots brought the nostalgia. And Godsmack closed the night with the kind of performance that reminds you why they’ve lasted this long. Some concerts feel like events. This one felt like a celebration of rock music itself. Three bands from different generations and styles, all connected by one thing. Songs that people genuinely care about. And for me? Getting to photograph Godsmack for the second time under the lights of Coastal Credit Union Music Park was one of those moments that reminds me how unreal this whole journey still feels sometimes. And honestly… I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m humbled. Can’t wait for the next opportunity to see these old friends on stage again.

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JOSH "MAUI" CABRAL

Hey! I'm Maui. Originally from Queens, New York, now making Raleigh, NC my new home. I'm a touring photographer and Nomadic Motorcycle Rider, obsessed with seeing the world through different lenses!

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