DETROIT (AP) - Rap-rockers
Linkin Park won over the crowd, but
Stone Temple Pilots stole the show at the Family Values' tour stop Monday (Oct. 15) at the Palace of Auburn Hills outside of
Detroit � the fourth stop on the tour.
STP singer Scott Weiland pranced across the stage like a ballet dancer and intermittently antagonized and encouraged the near-capacity crowd straight from the opener, "Crackerman." He traded off vocals with the crowd, pushing the mike toward the main floor ticket-holders during the choruses.
The band was out of place among fellow Family Values tour-mates Spike 1000, Static-X, Linkin Park, and Staind. The pop-based STP seemed like light rock amidst the other bands' violent music.
"So, at this point of the evening, we let go of the violence and we bring out the sex," Weiland told the crowd before singing "Big Empty." "Let's see how many babies we can create during this song."
STP's set was strong until Weiland brought out Kid Rock (apparently Detroit's new band whore) to duet with him on "Dead and Bloated." The Detroit rocker clearly didn't know the words and kicked in his vocals too early for each verse. Kid Rock grabbed the cowboy hat atop bassist Robert DeLeo's head and roamed the stage screaming into the mike. Weiland resuscitated the song numerous times by singing at the correct time over Kid Rock's vocals. Apparently uneasy with the number, Weiland sang out of key for the remainder of his show.
Weiland and the rest of the band used two sets on a rotating platter to emphasize rock and acoustic tunes. Couches and candles adorned the set that the Stone Temple Pilots used to sing songs like "Sour Girl," while a variety of lights accompanied the band on harder tunes including "Dead and Bloated" and "Interstate Love Song."
The band's energy was enough for it and Staind's cumbersome live performance. Singer Aaron Lewis, with his trademark bright white tennis shoes, shuffled length of the stage at a snail's pace with each song. But what it lacked in movement, it made up for in musicality. The songs were nearly note-for-note perfect.
Linkin Park MC Mike Shinoda promised to spread the positivity during his group's show. Judging from the amount of T-shirts and the ovation it received prior to its first song, Linkin Park was the crowd favorite. Lead singer Chester Bennington grabbed his mike and braved the main-floor fans to create a chorus of thousands.
Openers Static-X and Spike 1000 offered impressive sets, particularly Michigan-bred Wayne Static and his band. Looking like a metal version of the Cure's Robert Smith, Static stretched his vocals to the limits, screaming through 30 minutes worth of music. The staccato, goth- and Ministry-influenced collection of songs earned a standing ovation near the end.
"It's always great to be back in my home state of Michigan," Static said.
Meanwhile, five upcoming Family Values shows have been cancelled. The shows are: Houston, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Texas, Little Rock, Ark., and Las Vegas.
The official tour Web site states: "Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Family Values Tour required rerouting. Several shows previously scheduled will no longer take place� These shows will not be rescheduled for a later date."
