It was a family-reunion kind of night at the Somerville Theatre as Sevendust brought their Southside Double Wide Acoustic show to a sold-out crowd, mixing heartfelt moments with a surge of energy only they can deliver.
More than 20 years have passed since Sevendust’s iconic Southside Double-Wide Acoustic album hit our CD players, giving fans a chance to hear some of their favorite heavy tracks in a completely different light. For many of us Sevendust old-heads, we were there for that acoustic original run of dates back in the early 2000’s, a tour that felt boldly unique compared to the band’s usual full-throttle assault. Their signature heavy riffs and Morgan Rose’s explosive drumming were traded for stripped-down acoustic arrangements, yet the magic and unmistakable energy of a Sevendust show stayed fully intact.
We at The Setlist were at the Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel stop of the 2003 An Acoustic Evening With Sevendust tour, where the band performed Southside Double-Wide in its entirety. It was a magical night filled with unforgettable moments, like Lajon Witherspoon belting out Prince’s “Purple Rain”, or Clint Lowery delivering a stunning take on “Hurt”, the Nine Inch Nails classic reinterpreted by Johnny Cash.
It felt like a family reunion even then. Fans traveled across New England to catch as many shows as possible, forming friendships in those lines and crowded rooms, relationships none of us knew would still hold strong with each other, and with the band, more than 20 years later.
So as we stepped into the Somerville Theatre, many of us hitting our 50th or even 100th-plus Sevendust show, for so many of us, we were met with hugs from the guys themselves and from the close friends we’ve rocked out with on the rail, night after night, year after year. The only real difference now is a few more gray hairs and the new generation of Sevendust fans standing beside us: our kids.
That’s how special this band is. They’re packing sold-out shows not only with the OG fans of the ’90s and early 2000s, but with younger fans just discovering the magic. It’s a true testament to the heart, longevity, and grind of a band we consider one of the hardest-working in the industry.
Cory Marks hit the stage right at 8 p.m., kicking off the night with a mix of Southern grit, outlaw swagger, and pure country-rock charm. He wasted no time pulling the crowd in, opening with “(Make My) Country Rock” before rolling straight into “Are You With Me?” and “Blame It on the Double,” each song hitting with that signature blend of stomp-and-shout energy he’s carving a name with.
Marks paused between songs to talk about his love for whiskey, something he weaves into his songwriting just as naturally as he does into his stage banter. The crowd ate it up, especially as he moved into the rowdy, crowd-lifting “Whiskey River.”
Video By: Better Noise Music
One of the biggest highlights of his set was “Outlaws and Outsiders,” the massive collaborative track originally recorded with Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch, Travis Tritt, and Mötley Crüe legend Mick Mars. He rounded things out with a standout cover of Bryan Adams’ “Cuts Like a Knife” before closing his set with “Sorry for Nothing,” leaving the crowd more than warmed up for the night ahead.
The air was electric as the crew wrapped up the final touches on the stage. The house lights flickered across the venue, signaling to anyone still grabbing merch in the entryway that it was time to head back in and find their seats… seats—HA!No one was sitting tonight.
Before long, the rhythmic beat of Paul Cauthen’s “Cocaine Country Dancing” pulsed through the speakers. It’s become a staple walk-on track for the guys, and the moment it kicked in, you could feel the energy around you tighten and rise. It was the spark that lit the fuse.
Morgan Rose was the first to be guided out to his drum kit, followed by John Connolly (guitar), Clint Lowery (guitar), Vinnie Hornsby (bass), and finally Lajon Witherspoon (vocals). The sold-out crowd erupted as each member stepped into the lights—smiling, waving, and spotting the familiar faces who’ve stood with them for decades.
LJ paused for a moment, visibly emotional as the cheers washed over the room. With tears in his eyes, he asked if the crowd was happy to be there tonight—answered by a roar—and then added, “I know we have seats, but would y’all like to stand up?” The crowd rose instantly, and with the entire room on its feet, Sevendust launched into “Black” off their 1997 self-titled album.
What happened next was the kind of moment only Sevendust fans can create. Even at an acoustic show, the theater shook as the crowd took complete control of the song—belting every lyric with such ferocity that it felt like the band and fans were singing in one voice. It was a powerful reminder that stripped-down or not, this is exactly what Sevendust is about: connection, energy, and a room full of people pouring their hearts out together.
Video By: Spenders Concert Videos
The band continued through the set hitting on all the songs that are cherished by Sevendust fans, from “Disgrace” “Skeleton Song” off of 2003s album Seasons, before hitting on 2001 biggest Sevendust album Animosity with “Beautiful” and “Trust”
“Denial” off their Sophomore album Home is in our opinion one of the best reimagined to acoustic style song that Sevendust has done. Starting with a slow build with the guitar and LJs voice and then kicking in with drums and bass. Nothing over the top, just enough to fill in and continue to build intensity until the song hits the back end with deeper drums and backing vocals from Clint. It’s a variation of the song that shows so much restraint and power all in one breath.
Video By: Spenders Concert Videos
“Follow” came next, and then “Xmas Day,” where LJ paused to talk about the origin of the song being written for Clint’s mom. It’s one of the most beautiful tracks on Animosity, a song that dives into the grief, despair, and heavy heartbreak we all feel when we watch the people we love suffer—or when we face those moments ourselves.
The night stayed in that emotional vein with another Clint-led moment: Nine Inch Nails’ iconic Hurt, the song later reimagined and immortalized by Johnny Cash. Lowery, a lifelong Nine Inch Nails fan, does an incredible job honoring both worlds—the raw, intimate, almost fragile foundation Trent Reznor created, and the aching weight and lived-in sorrow that Cash brought to the song. Clints performance balanced both influences while still carving out a version that felt entirely his own.
It was clear how deeply the crowd felt it, too. Any NIN fan in the room would tell you they respected the hell out of it. You could hear voices all around the theater singing every word with him, letting the weight of the song fill the room.
Not shifting too far from the emotionally charged tone of the night, LJ paused to reflect on a mother he had met during the meet and greet—someone he noticed carried a deep sadness in her eyes. As he spoke with her, he learned she had recently lost her son.
He dedicated “Angel’s Son” to her, taking steady breaths as he worked through the weight of the moment. And it wasn’t just him feeling it, everyone in that room seemed to carry their own memories of loss. Many in the audience wiped away tears, singing through the ache of people they’ve said goodbye to over the years. It was a collective release, the kind of moment only Sevendust can create, where grief, love, and community all intertwine.
The night shifted back to the heavy, not the emotional weight from earlier, but the raw punch of guitar, bass, and drums. as they tore into “Rumble Fish” off Home. In perfect Sevendust fashion, Clint slid seamlessly into the iconic riff from Pantera’s “Walk”, sending a ripple of excitement through the room.
LJ then paused to share the origin story behind “Bitch” from their self-titled album, talking about how he doesn’t swear and doesn’t like calling people names… but there was this one woman who lived next to him in an apartment complex who caused so many problems that the name practically wrote itself. The crowd roared with laughter. Clint even chimed in with the story of how his guitar was stolen, making the whole moment feel like classic Sevendust storytelling—something the old-heads in the room have come to cherish after decades of shows.
Video By: Spenders Concert Videos
They closed out the set with “Too Close to Hate” from their debut album, once again proving the point they’ve hammered home for more than 20 years: even in an acoustic setting, Sevendust can still make the walls shake.
High fives and hugs were handed out to the crowd as the band said their first set of goodbyes and stepped offstage. The chanting began almost instantly—“SEVENDUST! SEVENDUST!”—echoing through the Somerville Theatre until the guys made their way back out for the encore.
They launched into an acoustic, absolutely stunning version of “Face to Face” off Seasons. It was such a cool reimagining of a song rooted in heaviness and full-throttle growls from Morgan. This version leaned into harmony and melody, revealing a different side of a fan-favorite track. At one point LJ handed the bridge over to the crowd, and the room did not disappoint—voices filled every corner of the theater. It’s a variation of the song that many in the room, said deserves to be brought into the studio and recorded properly.
As the night came to a close, picks were thrown, more hugs and high-fives were handed out, Hi-Chews sailed into the crowd, and Morgan’s coveted drumsticks were launched into the air. The entire night was full of smiles and laughter. New England loves Sevendust—deeply. LJ even joked that we must be close to Hampton Beach, NH, an iconic Northeast venue known for bringing unshakeable energy and fire every time Sevendust rolls through town.
But these shows are so much more than a band rolling in for a tour stop. It’s family. You know the stories of the people standing next to you. You know the hardships they’re facing. Sevendust fans are a community stitched together over decades, and the connection runs far deeper than anything a band alone could ever manufacture. It’s a gift—one built on loyalty, empathy, and the music that has held so many of us upright.
So what’s next for the almighty Sevendust? A lot, actually.
The band just wrapped recording their 15th—yes, 15th—studio album, tracked at LJ’s farmhouse and later mixed in Florida with longtime collaborator and producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette, the creative force behind many of Sevendust’s most beloved releases.
Their previous record, Truth Killer, showcased everything the band has learned over their decades together—never stepping away from their roots, but consistently leveling up their sound with the hard-earned wisdom life throws your way… and a little humor too.
If you’ve seen the claymation video for Fence, directed by the talented Ollie Jones, The guys transforming into zombies, the chaotic energy, the tongue-in-cheek storytelling—it’s fantastic from both a production and directing standpoint, and it perfectly captures what Sevendust is all about: bringing the heavy, while always leaving room for joy, personality, and a good laugh.
Video From: Sevendust
They’re also gearing up for a European tour with Alter Bridge and Daughtry, kicking off January 16th in Hamburg, Germany, and wrapping on March 5th in Nottingham, UK. Before they cross the Atlantic, the guys will ring in the New Year with a short four-date run supporting Creed. More details on that string of shows can be found here.
The Southside Double-Wide Tour continues with the following dates still to come:
11/25/2025 — Grand Rapids, MI
11/26/2025 — Bloomington, IL
11/28/2025 — Minneapolis, MN
11/29/2025 — Milwaukee, WI
11/30/2025 — West Des Moines, IA
12/02/2025 — Green Bay, WI
12/03/2025 — Lincoln, NE
12/05/2025 — Kansas City, MO
12/06/2025 — East Moline, IL
12/07/2025 — St. Louis, MO
12/09/2025 — New Orleans, LA
12/10/2025 — Houston, TX
12/11/2025 — Dallas, TX
12/12/2025 — San Antonio, TX
So have no fear, 7D old-heads—there are plenty of chances to see the band before the year wraps. And to our European friends, get ready: your wish is about to be granted. Whether you’re a brand-new fan or someone who’s been with them since day one, you’re officially part of one of the greatest families you’ll ever have the privilege of joining. The guys love just as fiercely as the fans do. And we can’t wait to hear the new music—and rock out to every second of it.
Photos By: Kerri Nelson Media
FULL SETLIST FOR SOMERVILLE
- Black
- Disgrace
- Beautiful
- Skeleton Song
- Trust
- Denial
- Follow
- XMas Day
- Hurt
- Angels Son
- Rumble Fish
- Bitch
- Too Close To Hate
ENCORE
14. Face to Face
SEVENDUST
Website | Facebook | IG | X | Spotify
CORY MARKS
Website | Facebook | IG | X | Spotify
SOMERVILLE THEATRE
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