Avenged Sevenfold – Mystic Lake Amphitheater – Shakopee, MN – July 27th, 2026
Avenged Sevenfold with Good Charlotte – Mystic Lake Amphitheater – Shakopee, MN – July 27th, 2026
Review and photos by Kate Klaus
Some tours feel long overdue, and this was definitely one of them. After decades of friendship, Avenged Sevenfold and Good Charlotte are finally sharing the road together for the very first time, and made a stop at the new Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee, MN on July 27th, bringing this epic collaboration to life. The genuine respect and friendship between them carried through the entire evening, making it feel less like two separate performances and more like a celebration between longtime friends who were finally getting to share the stage.
Good Charlotte kicked things off by reminding everyone why they’ve remained a staple of rock music for more than 30 years. Making their first U.S. tour in over a decade, the Madden brothers and company looked thrilled to be back on American stages as they opened with “The Anthem to the screams of the packed amphitheater. Their connection with the audience was immediate, mixing nostalgic anthems with plenty of humor. Local fans were laughing at the band’s playful jokes about “Mistake Lake,” showing they knew exactly how to win over the crowd. One of the evening’s biggest surprises came when Good Charlotte launched into “The River.” The song took on a whole new life as Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows joined them onstage for guest vocals, creating a memorable collaboration that drew one of the loudest reactions of the night. It was a rare moment that perfectly celebrated the first tour these two bands have shared together. They performed a mix of older classics like “I Don’t Wanna Be in Love” and “Girls & Boys” and ended the energetic anthem set with the crowd on their feet and jumping while pyro fired on stage to “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous” for an unforgettable return performance for Minnesota.
As darkness settled over the venue, Avenged Sevenfold transformed the stage into something cinematic. Their performance felt larger than life under the night sky, with dramatic lighting and visuals creating an atmosphere that was equal parts haunting and spectacular. As the visuals started, the stage was filled with the sound of Kavinsky’s “Nightcall”, which at the time simply felt like the perfect soundtrack for Avenged Sevenfold’s dramatic entrance. Hearing today that Kavinsky has passed away makes that moment even more poignant, knowing his music helped set the tone for one of the most memorable performances of the night. They opened their set with “Nightmare”, and as they progressed, every song carried an intensity that showcased why the band continues to headline arenas and festivals around the world. Despite the massive production, it was the personal moments that stood out just as much. M. Shadows took time to sign the cast of a young fan in the crowd, a simple gesture that meant the world to one person and reminded everyone that even the biggest rock stars can create unforgettable one-on-one moments, especially when he likened it to his own son currently in a cast from jumping off a house boat. The smoke filled stage and stunning visuals under the night sky were the perfect setting as they treated the excited crowd to favorites like “Afterlife”, “Buried Alive”, and “Bat Country”. Rather than ending with another burst of intensity, Avenged Sevenfold chose to close with “Cosmic”. The song’s atmospheric sound and emotional weight served as a beautiful finale, bringing the evening to a memorable and surprisingly heartfelt conclusion under the night sky.
For longtime fans, the tour was a celebration of two bands that have each left a lasting mark on modern rock. Seeing them finally share the same stage, complete with unexpected collaborations and genuine fan interactions, made for a night that felt every bit as memorable as the music itself.
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