By Christopher Crone

Friday night at the Opera House Saloon in Roseville was pure rock ’n’ roll magic wrapped up in a birthday party no one will forget. This place has stood tall since 1908—once an actual opera house, now the ultimate saloon stage—and it proved again why it’s the beating heart of live music in Roseville.

The night opened with Big Machine, fronted by none other than Mason Duran’s dad on vocals. Talk about making your son’s 21st unforgettable! They hit the ground running with Judas Priest’s Hellion/Electric Eye and never let off the gas. The setlist was a metalhead’s dream: Dio’s The Last in Line, W.A.S.P.’s Wild Child, and then a full-on Ozzy tribute (Perry Mason, Believer, War Pigs, Flying High Again, and Bark at the Moon). They closed with Priest’s Screaming for Vengeance—a perfect sendoff that left the crowd buzzing. 🤘

Then it was time for Pyromania, a tribute band with serious rock pedigree. These guys have toured worldwide and even lit up AXS TV’s The World’s Greatest Tribute Bands. Their lineup is stacked: Andrew Freeman on powerhouse lead vocals, Brandon Paul and Neal Shelton shredding dual lead guitars, Patrick McGrath holding it down on bass & keys, and James Schultz driving it all home on drums. They opened with Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop) and took the Opera House on a full-throttle ride through Def Leppard’s biggest anthems, finally capping the night with the ultimate singalong, Pour Some Sugar on Me.

But this night wasn’t just about rock—it was Mason’s 21st birthday celebration. The Eagle’s own Doug Thomas intro’d the bands and led the crowd in a booming “Happy Birthday” as Mason blew out the candles. Cake slices and jello shots were passed around like party favors, keeping the vibe fun and communal. Mason’s mom and sister were cheering proudly from the front row, while his dad wasn’t just supporting—he was on stage, leading Big Machine through a killer set.

Between the historic venue, the family love, and two bands that brought the heat, this was more than a concert—it was a memory stamped in rock ’n’ roll forever. 🎂🍻🎸

Categories: Concert Photography

Tags: Opera House Saloon