Fozzy’s 25th Anniversary tour rocks the Oriental Theater in Denver, CO 4-30-25

Terrell Stewart
May 2
4 min read

Returning to the Oriental Theater I was looking forward to Fozzy’s tour being the first time for me to see them. I had heard it would be a fun show but that was an understatement! The night started off with another band I had not seen before, The Nocturnal Affair. They started their set with drummer “RJ” doing a solo that was not really long but effective. From there the rest of the members joined him on and went right into, “It’s No Good” a (Depeche Mode cover) and the energy level took off! From there they moved right into their 2021 debut single, “Down” and let the head banging, hair throwing begin!

Great energy from the band to get the night rocking and rolling and watching them work the stage was fun to watch as the crowd was enjoying every minute with them. It was a short 8 song set but they got the night started off with a great energetic set.

The Nocturnal Affair members:

Brendan Shane - vocals

Andy Ingraham - guitar

Dru Lappin - guitar

Michael James - bass

Raistlin "RJ" Hamman - drums

Setlist:

Drum Solo

It's No Good (Depeche Mode cover)

Down 2022

Unwound

Benefit Of Doubt 2025

Interlude

BACKBITER

Cross Me Out 2024

What Is Love (Haddaway cover)

For my second time seeing them and first time covering them, I was excited to see Liliac again. I knew it would be a high energy set and was not disappointed. The family of siblings took over the stage and started their set with their song recently released, “Human”. And their energetic set got the house rocking. Lead singer Melody’s voice carried through the venue as their fans joined in their high energy set. Keyboards and keytars Justin seemed to be in his own world as he danced his way around the stage. He was fun to watch as was lead guitarist Samuel as he and everyone displayed their musical skills.

The band moved through the set of originals and a couple of covers, one which excited the crowd when Melody sang, “Holy Diver” (Dio cover). Liliac finished their set with “Carousel” from their 2023 album, Madness. The band had their picture taken with the crowd in the background and the crowd cheered as they took their bows.

Liliac members:

Melody Cristea (born December 27, 2001) - vocals, bass, flute.

Samuel Cristea (born March 21, 1999) - lead guitar, backing vocals.

Paul Barnes Jr - drums.

Ethan Cristea (born August 24, 2006) - bass, additional rhythm guitar.

Justin Cristea (born October 27, 2007) - keyboard

Setlist:

Human 2025

Delusion

Prisoner

Breathe 2024

Dear Father 2020 Queen of Hearts

Bad Boyz

Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes cover)

Not Afraid 2019 ep Chain of Thorns

Holy Diver (Dio cover)

Carousel 2023 Madness

The stage was set for Fozzy and as the members made their way onto the stage starting their set with their new single, “Fall in Line” and the crowd cheered and waved as moved to the front of the stage wearing a sparkling silver sport coat and letting out his vocals that filled the venue. Behind him the other members let loose and a controlled chaos took over the stage. From there it was back to 2014 with the song, “Bad Tattoo”. If there was a barometer for the energy level on stage, it would have broken by the third song, “Painless”. Honestly, there were 5 ham’s on stage and I was loving every minute of it as I was photographing their set. (see the photo gallery) The interaction between themselves, the crowd, and me was something to see and the crowd was loving every minute of their set.

The setlist was a time table of songs and a fun cover of ABBA's “SOS” followed by “Sane” from the 2022 album, Boombox. Moving through their set, the interactions on stage as well with the crowd was only getting better and more fun to watch. The title to some of the songs are also interesting such as, “Drinkin With Jesus” 2017, and “Spider in My Mouth” from 2012. As their set was winding down, there was “Enemy” from 2005 and they topped off their amazing, high energetic set with a cover from Krokus, “Eat the Rich”. I have to believe everyone at this show slept very well that night. This is a must see show that’s full of fun and energy by all the bands. It was a pleasure to cover this show and can’t wait to do it again!