CONCERT REVIEW: Papa Roach Play Sold-Out Show In Amsterdam

On the same night that their rock contemporaries Rise Against played in the Netherlands, Papa Roach took to the stage at Amsterdam’s AFAS Live to a packed house, celebrating an incredible 25 years as a band. Marking this milestone, the band fittingly named their tour Rise of the Roach, curating a setlist that honoured their extensive discography with a special emphasis on their debut album, Infest.

Joining them on this tour was an unexpected but intriguing choice: Florida-based metalcore band Wage War. While not an obvious pairing with Papa Roach, Wage War have been making waves in the heavy music scene with their ever-evolving sound. Their latest album, STIGMA, released in 2024, heavily influenced their setlist, introducing fans to a collection of tracks that showcase a dynamic range—from signature metalcore aggression to rock, trap, hip-hop, and electronic elements. While many in the audience were unfamiliar with the band at the start, Wage War’s energy and genre-blending performance won over the crowd, ensuring that their presence left a lasting impression.

With the anticipation building, the moment finally arrived for Papa Roach to take the stage. A towering curtain concealed the band as they launched into the opening track, Even If It Kills Me. The tension peaked as the first chorus hit, the curtain dramatically dropped, and the audience erupted in cheers. From the outset, Papa Roach delivered an all-out spectacle, complete with pyrotechnics and CO₂ blasts, setting the tone for an extraordinary evening.

While Infest received a well-deserved spotlight, the setlist also featured a strong presence of newer material. The band’s 2022 album, Ego Trip, contributed five tracks to the performance, seamlessly woven in with a selection of fan-favourite hits spanning their entire career. Classics like ...To Be Loved, Falling Apart, and Born for Greatness stood out as highlights, perfectly complementing the band’s reputation for high-energy, adrenaline-fueled live shows.

Speaking of energy, frontman Jacoby Shaddix was an unstoppable force. Throughout the night, he commanded the stage with relentless enthusiasm, sprinting from one side to the other while forging an intimate connection with the crowd. His charisma extended beyond mere performance—between songs, he engaged with individual fans, making the massive venue feel surprisingly personal. Despite his constant movement, his vocal delivery remained remarkably strong, proving why Papa Roach have continued to thrive for over two decades.

A defining factor in the band’s enduring success is their ability to evolve while staying true to their roots. Though they first skyrocketed to fame with the anthemic Last Resort, their commitment to musical reinvention and high-calibre songwriting has ensured their relevance 24 years later.

While the majority of the night was an energetic onslaught of riffs, pounding drums, and singalong moments, the band made time for a heartfelt interlude midway through the set. Papa Roach have long been vocal about mental health awareness, and this commitment was on full display as they paused to reflect on the topic. They even made a generous donation to the Dutch suicide prevention organization 113. The band then delivered an emotionally charged performance of Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark), followed by Roses On My Grave, creating a poignant contrast to the night’s otherwise high-octane energy.

Visually, the show was just as impressive as its sound. The stage design incorporated massive LED screens that enhanced the performance with striking visuals, while an intricate light show pulsed in perfect sync with the music. A constantly shifting sea of colours set the atmosphere for each song, and frontman Jacoby Shaddix was often bathed in a spotlight—much to the delight of photographers capturing the moment.

With 25 years under their belt, Papa Roach continues to prove they are far from slowing down. Their live sound remains as powerful and polished as ever, and the scale of their production grows with every tour. As the show came to a triumphant close, fans left ecstatic by the show they had just witnessed. The band has already been announced as part of the Lowlands Festival lineup for summer 2025, and if tonight’s performance was any indication, their return to the Netherlands will be nothing short of spectacular.