Mammoth – Grand Casino Mille Lacs – Onamia MN – November 22nd 2025

Grand Casino Mille Lacs presents Mammoth with special guests Miles Kennedy

Photos and review by Steven Abright

A Night Where Modern Rock Proved

Its Staying Power Saturday night’s triple-bill featuring Return to Dust, Myles Kennedy and Mammoth delivered a rare fusion of youthful fire, veteran artistry and precision-driven modern hard rock. It was a carefully curated lineup that offered a sweeping look at the genre’s past, present and future—blended into one standout evening.

Return to Dust launched the night with a surge of raw, unfiltered energy.  Their set pulsed with fuzzy guitar lines, tense rhythmic shifts and vocal harmonies that echoed the darker corners of Alice in Chains. For a young band, their onstage cohesion was striking; they carried themselves with the confidence of players far more seasoned. By the time they closed their set, they had more than earned the crowd’s full attention and respect.

Myles Kennedy followed with a performance defined by nuance and control. Backed by a razor-sharp rhythm section, Kennedy navigated blues-infused rock with effortless precision, his soaring vocals floating above intricate guitar lines. Whether debuting new material or revisiting songs from his first two solo records, he held the room in rapt silence that consistently broke into explosive applause. Known for commanding stages—whether solo, with Alter Bridge or alongside Slash—Kennedy once again proved why he is regarded as one of rock’s most seasoned and reliable frontmen.

Closing the night, Mammoth delivered a set crafted with stadium-level ambition and polish. Wolfgang Van Halen continues to demonstrate that he is far more than a famous last name; he has fully emerged as a songwriter, leader and performer in his own right. The band powered through muscular riffs and melodic hooks with airtight precision, showcasing the kind of chemistry that comes only from relentless rehearsal. Van Halen’s solos were crisp and focused, his vocals strong and steady, and the group’s collective presence consistently commanding. Wolf’s personality shone throughout the set, though one moment stood out in particular: when asking the crowd if they wanted to hear another song from the new album, he quipped, “If you don’t… there probably isn’t a wait at the merch table.” Humor aside, one of the night’s most emotional moments arrived during “Distance,” accompanied by a video montage of his life with his father, Eddie Van Halen. The performance carried a weight that resonated deeply with anyone who has lost someone close. Mammoth closed with the title track from their new album, “The End,” a fitting finale that underscored Wolfgang’s continued musical evolution. With each release, he grows more assured in his artistic voice, and it’s easy to imagine the day when he commands arena stages as a headliner. Final thoughts: Together, the three acts delivered a night that showcased the full spectrum of contemporary rock—from rising talent to seasoned mastery. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a testament to how rock continues to evolve, reinvent itself and thrive through fresh voices and artists performing at the height of their craft.