There are certain bands that, for every rock fan, define the entire genre. The bar against which you measure every other band. For me, and I suspect for many other millennial rock fans, that band is Alter Bridge. I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to say that they are the band that brought rock into a new generation. A band that many since have tried to imitate. A band that influenced a new wave of guitar, bass and drum enthusiasts. Every element of the band is superb and I couldn’t really name a song of theirs I even disliked. The now-iconic foursome have laid claim to the top of the mountain, and with the release of their seventh critically acclaimed album, Pawns and Kings, they ventured out on this UK arena tour and I was lucky enough to find myself at the Manchester show to review.
Before things even kicked off, the excitement in the air was apparent. As fans swarmed into Manchester Arena. Even before the first band took to the stage, the venue was already beginning to fill up. Being the megastars they are, Alter Bridge brought two titanic acts on the road with them. The talented Mammoth WVH and the powerhouse act of Halestorm. Needless to say, this lineup gave audiences way more value for their money for the price of admittance. The fans were clearly ready for the night to begin, I spoke to several patrons heading into the show and people’s love for the band was very observable.
A slow build-up to a quality performance from Mammoth WVH. This was their first time they had taken to a Manchester stage, but they looked so at home. Wolfgang Van Halen was absolutely on point. His voice just soared over the live production. Then that first guitar solo hit and everything clicked. The whole band sounds so good together. The bass was in sync with the drums creating a foundation for the band to really build on. The riffs were tight and the groove was just right. I would say the best word to describe Mammoth WVH’s set is complete. It was a very complete sound. Each element of the band complements the other to make something greater than the sum of its parts. The riffs flowed into the solos, the harmonies were beautiful and the beat punched right through. It just all worked. Wolfgang Van Halen is a very different rock act from his lineage. The band is absolutely competent in their instrumentation, yet there’s more of that modern alternative rock tone to them. There was little flair to the set. It was a sound-driven show, more than a visual spectacular. They’re not a band to do stage dives or go crazy running around. They play their songs and they play them damn well.
Lzzy Hale wasted no time in introducing the band. Her voice screeched to the rafters. “This is my kingdom” she roared as they burst into the song, The Steeple. If there’s one thing you could never accuse Halestorm of, it’s being boring. They’re an entertaining band to watch. Especially with the drum antics of Arejay Hale and the commanding stage presence of Lzzy. They mastered the rock hook a long time ago and they know how to get a crowd screaming. They have such a tight groove live but manage to capture the frantic energy. It’s definitely controlled chaos.
Even as someone who’s not super into their brand of rock n roll, I can still appreciate the talent and effort that goes into their sets. There’s something special about their stage mania. They hit all of those notes with a sharp twang that stays with you long after the set is over. There’s no denying they have cultivated quite the following. When Lzzy says jump, the audience asks how high. She is able to put some power behind those commands. Her voice just reaches the aisles like nothing else I’ve ever heard. When the whole band comes together it can almost feel overwhelming. However, the Manchester crowd met the band with the same energy, making for an excellent set! Fan favourites like Love Bites (And So Do I) and Familiar Taste of Poison, helped bolster the set and prop up the newer songs.
Top all of that off with a killer drum solo with comically large drumsticks. All together, no matter where you fall in the fandom, there was something here for you. They’re an enjoyable band and they always look like they’re having fun on stage. Their comradery is so entertaining to watch as they play off one another. It makes for an insanely great stage show filled with all that rock goodness.
The time had finally come for the modern-day legends, Alter Bridge. Opening on the new single Silver Tongue, their sound echoed through the venue. My god, they sounded absolutely glorious. Vocalist, Myles, has such an incredible voice that it hits the roof and just keeps going. The sound of the band crashed around as the riffs and bass hooks really shone. The drums pulsated and beat down. Even breaking a string doesn’t slow them down. The show must go on as they masterfully navigated a setlist of fan favourites, new material and hit singles. They have their own charm when it comes to stage performance with duel leads Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti playfully bantering. I think Myles has struck the perfect balance of toying with the audience and letting them in on the joke. It’s all in good fun and always enjoyable to be a part of. The Manchester audience really played their part to perfection as well. Singing along and shouting at the top of their lungs. Making for an excellent atmosphere. The connection Alter Bridge has with their fans is like none other I’ve heard.
I tell you what when Alter Bridge wants to turn up the heavy, they can take it all the way to eleven. Songs like Addicted To Pain and Pawns and Kings hit hard. With massive punches of bass and distortion. That sound is so powerful and so uniquely Alter Bridge. I’ll tell you another thing, hearing these songs on record and live are two very different beasts. Songs I have never heard them perform like, Shed My Skin and Burn It Down, hit so differently with thousands of fans singing along and deafening instrumentation. Every moment of this show was packed with stellar musicianship. The fact that Myles and Mark can so effortlessly switch roles as frontman and lead guitarist still astounds me to this day. That’s taking nothing away from Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums. Their job is to lay the foundation and be the anchor for the band. They are the reliable guys that the vocalist and the guitars can rely on to pull themselves back after a rawkus solo section.
I can comfortably say that it was an excellent show all around. Alter Bridge always put on a great set and last night was no different. The set was well crafted and executed. The support acts brought their A-game and the crowd built a warm atmosphere filled with hype and excitement. For sure it was an insanely fun night that was enjoyed by all and especially by me.
Words by Mick Birchall
Photos by Philip Goddard
[robo-gallery id=”22584″]
