Recap - Freaks on Parade Tour at Ruoff Music Center July 21, 2022 Photos and review by Laura Fox

Ever since covering Rob Zombie’s concert in Indianapolis last summer, I had been keeping my fingers crossed that I’d get to cover his next show in the area. My wishes were granted, but it wasn’t exactly the show I had anticipated. First, the opening of gates was delayed from 4:30 to 5:30. “OK,” I thought, “things happen.” I watched as concertgoers calmly and patiently lined up in the late afternoon sun for what seemed like half a mile at the East gate. Then I got the news that Powerman 5000 and Static-X had been dropped from the lineup, Mudvayne was performing a shorter set, and the concert wouldn’t start till 8:30 at the earliest.

The problem, it turned out, was that the tractor- trailer carrying the sound equipment had caught on fire en route from the St. Louis area to Noblesville. Although none of the equipment had been damaged, the team had to find another trailer, move everything from the damaged trailer to the new one, and finish the drive. If you’ve ever seen a Rob Zombie show, you know that we’re not talking about a few amps and speakers; it’s a huge freaking production.I’m not sure exactly what time the trailer made it, but as we waited in the photo pit for Mudvayne to start I got glimpses of crew members finishing their preparations. They were really scrambling and sweating in the hot and muggy summer evening.

So, Mudvayne went on and killed their set (read more about that below), then Zombie and his bandmates destroyed the crowed with their usual flair and drama(more about that below, too). Zombie apologized more than once about all the problems and thanked the fans for understanding. Toward the end of the set, he apologized once more and said the guys in Powerman 5000 and Static-X had wanted to stay and perform rather than resting up and going on to the next stop. The entire venue erupted as the members of those bands came out on stage in full costume and makeup to the opening riffs of “Thunderkiss ’65.” I can’t tell you how cool it was to see them all performing together – the energy was incredible. Then they went on to play a cover of The Ramones’ “Blitzkreig Bop” that had everyone singing and jumping in unison. It was absolutely amazing and it made me ridiculously happy.