MMRBQ 2023 was a celebration of diverse musical styles, all converging at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, NJ. If you’ve been keeping up with our coverage, you’ll remember our in-depth look at Billy Idol’s electrifying performance. But today, we’re turning the spotlight onto some other artists who made this year’s event unforgettable.
First up, let’s talk about Shinedown, the band that headlined the event and gave the audience a reason to stay glued to their seats—or rather, to stand up and rock out. Taking a brief detour from their ‘The Revolutions Live’ tour, Shinedown came to MMRBQ with a mission to deliver a performance that would be remembered. They’re currently promoting their seventh studio album, ‘Planet Zero,’ which hit the shelves in April 2022. The band’s set was a high-octane journey through their discography, with their latest work. Shinedown still knows how to command a stage, and it was amazing to catch them.
Larkin Poe, a band we’ve had our eyes on for quite some time, also took the stage, and let’s just say they left an indelible mark. The sister duo is gearing up for a UK and European tour, and if their MMRBQ performance is any indication, Europe is in for a treat. They’re currently promoting their latest album, ‘Blood Harmony.’ Their set was a masterclass in how to engage an audience, effortlessly blending their musical influences of blues and rock into a cohesive and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Then there was the undeniable force that is Ayron Jones. The guitarist unleashed a set that could only be described as explosive, leaving the audience in awe of his technical skill and emotional depth. Jones is currently promoting his latest album, ‘Chronicles of the Kid,’ a project that has been turning heads and catching ears. And as if that’s not enough, he’s got another big gig on the horizon: opening for Guns and Roses in his hometown of Seattle. That’s the kind of homecoming most artists can only dream of. So many great tunes from Ayron, so much that his album ‘Child of State’ was voted by us as the best rock album of 2021.
This was an event that had something for everyone. The atmosphere was electric, the performances unforgettable, and the sense of community palpable. If you missed out this year, let this be your motivation to grab those tickets early for the next one. Because if MMRBQ 2023 was any indication, you won’t want to miss out on it in the future.
