All of The Big Bands That Played Lewiston, Maine, in The 90’s

If you're looking to attend a big concert in Maine, you really have two destinations to choose from these days.

Portland at the Cross Insurance Arena or Thompson's Point or Bangor at the Maine Savings Amphitheater.

Those three venues currently rank as the only places you're going to see big name acts and tours coming through Vacationland.

But not that long ago, Lewiston, Maine, was also a hotbed for big concerts. The Central Maine Civic Center was once viewed as the perfect middle ground between Bangor and Portland for major tours to draw the biggest crowds.

Here are all the major bands that played in Lewiston, Maine, throughout the 1990's.

Tool - July 8, 1998

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People have always been willing to travel far and wide to see Tool live and its been fairly rare for them to play shows in Maine.

But they did on July 8, 1998, delivering a nearly 2-hour performance of some of their most memorable songs as only Tool can do.

Incubus - November 12, 1999

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Off the heels of the band's first true radio hits, Incubus hit the road hard in 1999 including a stop in Lewiston, Maine, on November 12.

But they weren't even the headliner for the show that night. Despite that, Incubus' only live show in Lewiston is still remembered fondly by those who attended.

Steve Perry - November 17, 1994

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Former Journey frontman Steve Perry spent extensive time on the road in the mid 90's as part of his 'For The Love of Strange Medicine' tour.

It was the only time Steve Perry played in Lewiston, Maine, as a solo artist although he has visited the state several other times as a member of Journey.

Korn - March 27, 1997

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Korn was ascending to the top of the rock world in 1997 with an extensive tour called 'Life is Peachy' that brought the band to Lewiston, Maine, for the first time with Limp Bizkit and Helmet.

Anyone who attended that show has never forgotten it and Korn has returned to Lewiston multiple times since their initial 1997 banger.

The Ramones - November 29, 1995

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The Ramones came to Lewiston, Maine, on November 29, 1995 as part of one the strangest tours in the mid-90's.

The Ramones were co-headlining this tour with White Zombie.

The Ramones played a ridiculous 22-song set that night and people are still wearing concert tees from that show to this day.

Blues Traveler - November 1, 1997

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Blues Traveler has had an affinity for Maine over their career and that included a performance in Lewiston, Maine, on November 1, 1997.

But that wasn't the first time the band that had played Lewiston. Just three years prior, Blues Traveler had played a small show at Bates College inside Chase Hall.

Pantera - January 26, 1998

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It got incredibly loud inside the Central Maine Civic Center on January 26, 1998 when Pantera, Anthrax and Coal Chamber all arrived to tear the doors off of the building.

Pantera loved their visit to Lewiston, Maine, so much, they came back again three years later. It ended up being one of the final performances before the band went on hiatus.

Limp Bizkit - March 27, 1997

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Opening for Korn,  Limp Bizkit rolled into Lewiston, Maine, on March 27, 1997 and made fans for life amongst the crowd.

The raucous night saw dozens of mosh pits and the band daring the crowd to keep getting rowdier. What else would you expect from a band that would set Woodstock on fire a couple years later?

Green Day - May 12, 1998

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Green Day was churning out albums and spending their life on the road throughout the mid-to-late 1990's which included a stop as part of their 'Nimrod' tour in Lewiston, Maine.

Green Day cranked out a 20-song setlist including closing with "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" which became the graduation song for the Lewiston High School class of 1999.

Dropkick Murphys/Mighty Mighty Bosstones - October 27, 1997

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Just a few days after Limp Bizkit, an entirely different tour rolled into Lewiston, Maine. Billed as "'Boston on the Road', it was the first-ever performance for Dropkick Murphys in the city.

Not for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, however. The band had played the Central Maine Civic Center a year earlier and was a favorite for many in the area.

Slipknot - September 24, 1999

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Slipknot's concert in Lewiston, Maine, on September 24, 1999 remains a highlight for many fans who attended even though the band Coal Chamber was the headliner.

Slipknot was touring behind their debut album and delivered what many believe to be an unforgettable performance that night.

Slipknot enjoyed their Lewiston crowd so much, the band returned to the venue again in 2005.

Rob Zombie - October 31, 1998

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Perhaps the most memorable show in the 90's for Lewiston concertgoers, Rob Zombie brought his 'Hellbilly Deluxe' tour to the city on Halloween night in 1998.

The freak show also included performances by Monster Magnet and Fear Factory and remains one of the wildest Halloween nights the city has ever seen.

Primus - October 24, 1997

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Primus was riding high in 1997 after finding some radio and music video success. They brought their "Brown" tour to Lewiston, Maine, a week before Halloween in 1997.

The tour featured the second visit for Limp Bizkit to the city in the same year as well as the first performance from Powerman 5000 in Lewiston.

Slayer - April 3, 1999

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Billed as the 'Maine Metal Meltdown', Slayer headlined a show in Lewiston, Maine, on April 3 that featured a ridiculous lineup.

That lineup included (hed) p.e., Meshuggah, as well as Fear Factory. It was probably the second-loudest show in the history of the city behind Pantera's performance in 1998.