Chris Daughtry’s powerhouse vocals and renewed hard-rock edge light up a Tennessee night with a set that hits harder than ever
LIVE NATION PRESENTS:
DAUGFHTRY LIVE AT FIRSTBANK AMPHITHEATER IN FRANKLIN, TN ON 10/24/25
Daughtry delivered a high-voltage jolt of modern rock at FirstBank Amphitheater, transforming the stone-lined venue into a roaring chamber of sound and energy. What could have been a routine radio-rock evening quickly became something far more dynamic, driven by a band performing with renewed ferocity and purpose. From the first drop of darkness, it felt less like a nostalgia-fueled show and more like a band stepping confidently into its next era.
Chris Daughtry entered with the laser focus of a frontman who knows precisely how to steer an audience. His voice—husky, controlled, and still astonishing in its upper edges—cut across the amphitheater cleanly. Whether he was launching into massive choruses or leaning into softer, emotional lines, he sang with the conviction of someone who refuses to coast. Live rock vocalists are a dime a dozen; few can match the fire he brought to the stage.
The rest of the band matched that intensity. Guitarist Brian Craddock tore into riffs that leaned heavier and darker than the group’s early output, showcasing how naturally Daughtry has shifted toward a harder-edged identity. His tone was thick and driving, bouncing sharply off the limestone walls and occasionally dipping into an almost industrial grit. Not bad for a band often jokingly labeled as the poster children of “Divorced Dad Rock”—a title they wore with surprising swagger tonight.
Bassist Marty O’Brien and drummer Anthony Ghazel were a rhythmic wrecking crew. Ghazel was especially impressive, delivering crisp, weighty drumming that boosted every track without ever resorting to overplaying. His fills injected adrenaline at key moments, lifting several songs to bigger heights. Together, the rhythm section kept the pace tight and unbroken, giving the show the feel of an engine running hot and smooth.
Predictably, the band’s early hits got the most explosive crowd reactions. “It’s Not Over” became a full amphitheater sing-along, a reminder of just how impactful their debut era remains. “Home” lit up the venue with cell-phone lights as Chris delivered the song with a sincerity that made it feel freshly written. But “Over You” landed with a surprising punch—its chorus rising over the stone seating like a tide rolling forward.
The newer material didn’t just keep up; it thrived. Songs like “Heavy Is the Crown” and “Artificial” carried a darker, more muscular sound that suited the band’s current momentum. Chris’s voice powered through the heavier arrangements without strain, rising cleanly above the grit and showcasing how effortlessly he can shift from gravel to glass-sharp highs.
By the end of the night, Daughtry walked offstage not as a band relying on its early success, but as one firmly planted in its prime. Their blend of hard-rock intensity, emotional weight, and arena-caliber performances fit seamlessly with the dramatic architecture of FirstBank Amphitheater. If the evening proved anything, it’s that Daughtry’s evolution has made them bolder, heavier, and more captivating than ever.
