24 Years Ago: WCYY Holiday Bizarre with Orgy, Disturbed, Rustic Overtones & 6Gig

The WCYY Holiday Bizarre on November 28, 2000, at the Cumberland County Civic Center (now Cross Insurance Arena) in Portland was a legendary night for Maine’s rock scene. The show was headlined by Orgy, riding the success of their sophomore album Vapor Transmission, the concert also featured emerging rock band Disturbed. At the time, Disturbed was fresh off releasing The Sickness, which introduced the world to that year to songs like Stupify and Down With the Sickness.

The show wasn’t just about national acts—it was a showcase of Maine’s thriving local music scene. Rustic Overtones and 6Gig, two of the state's biggest local bands, brought the house down, ensuring a packed Civic Center from start to finish. Rustic Overtones with the funk and the horns and 6Gig’s grunge-inspired rock were at their peak popularity, creating a sense of hometown pride among the 7,500 fans in attendance.

For me, this night was unforgettable for a completely different reason. As a fairly new CYY staff member at the time, I found myself backstage, loving the whirlwind of chaos. Then, about an hour before showtime, I was told I'd be introducing Disturbed to the sold-out crowd—alone. My stomach dropped. But the moment I walked onto that stage and was met with 7,500 screaming fans, the nerves transformed into an unbelievable adrenaline rush, as you can see in this picture.

That raw, electric energy is something I’ll never forget. Maine’s rock scene truly came alive that night.

Were you there? Share your memories and your pics.