Machine Gun Kelly defies expectations on the SOLD OUT 'Mainstream Sellout' Tour

June 28, 2022

On the night before the release of his documentary "Life in Park" on Hulu, Machine Gun Kelly headlined Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey for yet another massive sold out show on the 'Mainstream Sellout' Tour.

Machine Gun Kelly's rise to the top of the touring and billboard charts has been nothing short of meteoric and the already polarizing musician attracted a lot of attention during his pop-punk revival journey. MGK has become an icon with the pop punk scene leading the revival of the genre from the release of 'Tickets to My Downfall' in 2021 and recent follow up album release of 'Mainstream Sellout.' The explosion in popularity has also brought unwarranted negative attention to the musician as fellow artists and countless individuals across social media have lashed out at the singer's new career path. MGK remained steadfast though with the art he has been creating and even addressed some of the "drama" within songs on his most recent release - most importantly MGK's fans have remained as loyal as always supporting this "pink" era for the singer with record album sales and ticket sales for concerts.

The 32 year old rap turned rocker is no stranger to touring and his creativity extends being the songs with the 'Mainstream Sellout' Tour. From the production to the setlist and even the extremely curated merchandise being offered MGK has crafted an artistic experience for fans from the minute they enter the venue for the show. Across 90 minutes Machine Gun Kelly took the sold out crowd at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on a 27 song journey that focused heavily on the pop-punk genre he revived but also stayed true to his roots with a few of his biggest rap songs in the mix.


The set was a dramatic story of the past fews years in the life of Machine Gun Kelly that saw him start the show by breaking free from his "box" before taking the stage via pink helicopter - this was just the beginning of the story. MGK ran through song after song that had the crowd off their feet either singing or rapping along to every verse. The crowd's nonstop participation left MGK emotional on a few occasions and he was quick to constantly thank the crowd for their support of the years during the show numerous times. Without spoiling too much of the narrative Machine Gun Kelly has woven into the set fans will be familiar with a lot of the stories he presents within the framing of the setlist as he fights a giant "internet" robot that invades the stage. While MGK framed the message of not letting the internet (or anyone) limit what you want to do with his story he did a great job at making that message relatable to the sold out crowd as well - all while blending the songs of 'Mainstream Sellout' and 'Tickets to My Downfall' into it.


Machine Gun Kelly remains aware of the pop-punk legacy that inspired his two colossal albums and the influence of Travis Barker, Blink-182 and so many more can be felt within the stage design despite it remaining distinctly MGK in style. The 'Mainstream Sellout' Tour is without a doubt one of the must see tours of the summer and fall with Machine Gun Kelly reigning supreme at the top of creative food pyramid right now. In a span of 3 years MGK has not only revived in an entire genre and taken it to new heights but has become a cultural icon in the process. The SOLD OUT show in Camden was just another milestone in his career - one thing is for sure NONE of us no one what Machine Gun Kelly has in store for us next and that is exactly what makes him the generational artist he is.

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

Stone Temple Pilots return to Pennsylvania to headline RockFest

By Matt Christine • September 16, 2025
Stone Temple Pilots’ return to Pennsylvania for RockFest was more than just another stop on tour as the band isn't on the road promoting a new album or anything particular at the moment making this one off show truly special. Their festival headline slot was a true celebration of a band that has not only endured but continues to thrive. After more than twenty years of music, their headline performance in Grantville showed that Stone Temple Pilots are still writing their best chapters. When Jeff Gutt first stepped in as lead singer, fans were curious about how he would fill the shoes of such an iconic role of those who came before him. A few years and countless shows later, there’s no longer any question. Gutt has evolved into the frontman the band always seemed to be waiting for - powerful, confident, and endlessly engaging. His vocals are as sharp and reliable as ever, but his presence has grown into something magnetic. Whether pacing the stage with fiery energy or locking eyes with fans in the crowd, Gutt now owns every moment in the spotlight. It has reached a point where it is harder to imagine Stone Temple Pilots without Gutt versus any version prior to his arrival with the band. As always, Robert and Dean DeLeo provided the backbone of STP’s unmistakable sound. Their tight musicianship and playful energy were the perfect counterbalance to Gutt’s intensity as he sprinted around the stage (and even jump off into the crowd at one point). The brothers looked like they were having just as much fun as the crowd, trading riffs, smiles, and moments of pure musical joy throughout the night. It was a reminder that their chemistry is the true heartbeat of this band, and it’s never sounded stronger. The night was a journey through the full scope of Stone Temple Pilots’ career. Fans were treated to a perfect balance of old favorites, deeper cuts, and fresh material. “Big Bang Baby” was a standout moment of the set early on, soaring with Gutt’s vocals. Hearing the classics re-energized while newer songs slid in seamlessly made the set feel both nostalgic and fresh at the same time. If this RockFest performance was any indication, Stone Temple Pilots are in the middle of an exciting new era. For long-time listeners and new fans alike, that means one thing: it’s time to get ready for more shows, more songs, and more unforgettable nights like this one. What is next for Stone Temple Pilots may be up in the air but one thing is for certain, they remain one of the tightest live bands in the genre.

Volbeat, Halestorm & The Ghost Inside bring 'The Greatest of All Tours' to Camden

By Matt Christine • August 11, 2025
Some nights, live music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a shot of adrenaline straight to the chest. August 9th at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion was one of those nights, as The Ghost Inside, Halestorm, and Volbeat delivered three hours of catharsis, chaos, and pure rock muscle to a sold-out Camden crowd. The Ghost Inside wasted zero time easing anyone in. They came out swinging with breakdowns that rattled ribcages and choruses that felt less like sing-alongs and more like war cries. Frontman Jonathan Vigil took a beat mid-set to talk about the band’s comeback after their horrific bus crash—a moment that dropped the temperature to goosebump level before the next riff lit the fuse again. Watching them was like watching a fighter go twelve rounds and still grin through the blood. Halestorm followed with a masterclass in arena rock swagger. Lzzy Hale’s voice isn’t just powerful—it’s volcanic, equal parts precision and primal force. She could hit the high notes with a clarity that cut through the humid August air and still roar with enough grit to send shockwaves through the pit. The set was a perfect cocktail: the usual suspects like “I Miss the Misery” and “Freak Like Me,” plus fresh cuts from their new album Everest, which were greeted like instant anthems. The hometown love was undeniable—Philly-area fans roared like they’d been waiting all year for this, and the band returned the favor with a performance that felt as big as the sky over Camden. Then came Volbeat, and any lingering doubt about who owned the night evaporated. Michael Poulsen has the charm of a lounge singer and the punch of a heavyweight fighter, and his band’s mash-up of groove metal, punk snarl, and rockabilly swing is still one of the most infectious things in modern rock. “Lola Montez” had the place bouncing, “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown” hit like a wrecking ball, and their take on Sabbath’s “Children of the Grave” landed like a love letter signed in distortion. By the end, the place was a sweaty, smiling mess—proof that sometimes three bands with very different weapons can combine forces into a single, unforgettable assault. Camden may never be called “scenic” with a straight face, but on this night, under the stage lights and the ringing in our ears, it was damn near beautiful.

Summer of Loud Turns the Historic York Fair Into a Full-Throttle Metal Mayhem

By Matt Christine • July 22, 2025
There are few tours as dynamic on the road this summer as The Summer of Loud tour and somehow this pyro heavy mega tour made it's way to the most unlikely stop in Pennsylvania as it touched down at the 260th Historic York Fair - a country fair mainstay that is more likely to have some country twang than a dozen mosh pits and crowd surfers. As America’s oldest fair, dating back to 1765, the York Fair has hosted everything from tractor pulls to livestock shows to fried Oreos. But this year? It became a coliseum of breakdowns, blast beats, and crowd roars thanks to the Summer of Loud Festival. The historic fairgrounds were transformed into a headbanger’s haven, echoing the legendary chaos of past Mayhem Fests. The rotating lineup of the tour was at full force, and for this stop, we were treated to Dark Divine, Alpha Wolf, The Devil Wears Prada, The Amity Affliction, I Prevail, Beartooth, Parkway Drive, and the mighty Killswitch Engage. Eight hours. No breaks. Just pure, relentless metalcore magic. However, for a festival of this magnitude, the York Fair security was absolutely not up to par. Fans were frequently dropped while crowd surfing, mosh pit safety was neglected, and response times to injured attendees were embarrassingly slow. Multiple crowd members complained about being shoved back into the pit after being pulled from it, visibly disoriented. It wasn’t just disappointing—it was dangerous. And some bands noticed… loudly. Kicking off the mayhem was Dark Divine, a fast-rising force in the world of theatrical metalcore. With a sound that blends haunting melodies, crushing breakdowns, and a visual aesthetic straight from a horror flick, these guys turned heads early on. Frontman Anthony Martinez prowled the stage with purpose, backed by a tight, atmospheric set that included fan favorites like “Deadly Fun” and “Halloweentown.” For a band still on the rise, they played like seasoned vets—and set the tone for a day of pure chaos. Then came the Aussies in Alpha Wolf, and with them came an avalanche of sound. “Akudama” was a war cry that blew the roof off the barn—figuratively, of course. “Creep” was a brutal wall of noise that had the pit convulsing. Lochie Keogh looked like a man possessed, pacing the stage like he was ready to pounce. Their set was raw, hostile, and unforgettable. The Devil Wears Prada hit the York stage with a blend of metalcore muscle and emotional weight. Mike Hranica’s intensity was unmatched—every scream felt like a release. Their tribute to the late Dave Shapiro was heartfelt and beautiful, a rare moment of quiet in an otherwise relentless set as Shapiro's legacy loomed large over this tour as the Summer of Loud was one of his final tours booked/announced currently. Next up The Amity Affliction brought their signature blend of melody and brutality to the crowd, and the audience was here for it. Joel Birch wasn't slowed down at all by his broken ankle and had a sea of fans belting out the lyrics during “Like Love,” and his screams during “Pittsburgh” could be heard all the way across the fairgrounds near the deep-fried candy stand. I Prevail hit the stage with a non stop burst of pyro with “Bow Down” and kept the firestorm rolling through “Hurricane.” Their tribute to Dave Shapiro and their now-iconic cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” brought big crowd reactions as did their comical country fair face paint that they all had done before hitting the stage. Their set was bombastic, emotional, and perfectly executed. And then there was Beartooth. From the first scream, Caleb Shomo was a man on fire—but not just from the music. Throughout the entire set, he repeatedly called out security for dropping fans, ignoring crowd injuries, and failing to control the barricade area. “Do your job and catch people!” he shouted mid-song, his voice frustrated with anger and at a guard who clearly snarked back at him in the barricade. The security's short comings didn't prevent Shomo and Beartooth from delivering the best set of the day but it was certainly a frustrating undertone during their performance. Things got so tense that by the end of their set, crew members had to hold Caleb back as he stormed the edge of the stage, visibly furious about how fans were being handled. It was clear: this was more than just a show for him—it was a mission to protect his people. And while his performance was, as always, tight and passionate, it was the rage that left the biggest mark. What better way to follow that intensity than with the godfathers of modern metalcore? Killswitch Engage were absolute professionals, blasting through “The End of Heartache” and “Holy Diver” with surgical precision. Jesse Leach remains a powerhouse of presence, spending as much time connecting with fans as he does belting out anthems. Finally, Parkway Drive lit up the York Fair like the 4th of July with the most theatrical, explosive set of the day. Winston McCall stalked the stage like a general in war, commanding the masses through “Glitch,” “Prey,” and “Crushed.” But the highlight? The spinning drum cage with pyrotechnics erupting like a volcanic finale. It wasn’t just a show—it was a spectacle. Parkway Drive are the kings of controlled chaos, and they reminded everyone why. The 260th York Fair just got a new page in its long history—one written in sweat, distortion, and cathartic screams. While security needs a major overhaul before next year, the music, the passion, and the unity of the fans made this a day for the history books. Let’s do it again next year—but maybe hire security that knows a mosh pit from a hay bale.