Three Days Grace, Volbeat, and Wage War - Winnipeg, MB

It was a night of riffs, nostalgia, and raw energy as Three Days Grace, Volbeat, and Wage War took over Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre on June 13, 2025. For local rock fans, this show was already special on paper. It became historic when Three Days Grace performed in the city for the first time, featuring both of their frontmen: vocalist Matt Walst and former, original singer Adam Gontier. It marked Gontier’s first time performing in Winnipeg with the band since 2011. Expectations were sky-high, and the night did not disappoint one bit.

Wage War. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Wage War opened up the evening with unrelenting force. They're no strangers to the metalcore scene, or Winnipeg for that matter, the Florida five-piece tore through a tight, brutal ten-song set that showcased both their melodic hooks and punishing breakdowns. Opening with the crushing “NAIL5,” they kept the momentum rolling with heavy-hitters like “Deadweight” and fan-favourite “Stitch.” Briton Bond’s harsh vocals were commanding, while Cody Quistad brought soaring cleans that shone on “Circle the Drain.” Their newer tracks, including “BLUR” and “MAGNETIC,” hit just as hard as their earlier material. Closing with the chaotic “Manic,” Wage War left Winnipeg with ringing ears and a craving for more action in the pit.

Volbeat. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Next up were Volbeat, the Danish rockabilly-metal titans who have always had a unique flair for blending the country and rockabilly stylings of Johnny Cash with the chaotic frenzy of the likes of Metallica. They kicked things off with the double shot of “A Warrior’s Call / Pool of Booze, Booze, Booza,” instantly drawing the crowd into their infectious groove. Michael Poulsen’s voice was in fine form, navigating effortlessly between the anthemic “Lola Montez” and the emotive “Fallen.”

One of the standout moments was when Poulsen, responding to a fan’s shout, played the iconic opening riff of Slayer’s “Seasons in the Abyss” before launching into “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown,” sparking a roar of approval. “Sad Man’s Tongue,” complete with the “Ring of Fire” intro, brought smiles all around, while newer cuts like their most recent single, “Demonic Depression,” gave new and old fans something special. The band even played the humorously titled “In the Barn of the Goat Giving Birth to Satan's Spawn in a Dying World of Doom,” showing they haven’t lost their playful edge. Ending with crowd-beloved “Still Counting,” Volbeat proved once again why they’re one of Europe’s biggest rock exports.

Three Days Grace. Photos by Samuel Stevens.

Headlining the night, Three Days Grace showed exactly why they’ve remained a staple of Canadian rock for over two decades. From the opening riff of “Animal I Have Become,” the crowd was theirs. Marking their first Canadian headline tour since original singer Adam Gontier returned to the band, both his and Matt Walst’s vocals carried both aggression and melody, perfectly fitting both the band’s classic hits and newer material.

“So Called Life” and “Break” kept the momentum going early, while “Home” and “The Mountain” added a nostalgic punch for long-time fans. The emotional center of the set was “Never Too Late,” where the arena lit up with phone lights and heartfelt singing. “I Hate Everything About You” proved to be the universal anthem of the night, resonating with everyone regardless of age or allegiance.

The band sprinkled in their latest singles “Apologies” and “Mayday” off their forthcoming record, among the classics, and it’s clear that even after all these years, Three Days Grace hasn’t lost their knack for penning radio-ready hard rock anthems. The Canadian rock legends closed out their set and the night with the cathartic “Riot.” They left Winnipeg exhausted, exhilarated, and begging for more.

With Wage War’s brutality, Volbeat’s rock ‘n’ roll swagger, and Three Days Grace’s arena-rock mastery, the June 13th show in Winnipeg delivered a powerful, genre-spanning night of heavy music. Few bills manage to please both breakdown hunters and rock radio fans, but this one nailed it, leaving ears ringing and hearts pounding well into the prairie night.