Alter Bridge, Halestorm and Mammoth WVH – OVO Hydro Glasgow 6th December 2022
A cold and wet night in Glasgow as the three-band bill featuring rock heavy weights Alter Bridge and Halestorm. The tour achieving rave reviews Glasgow OVO Hydro is sure to be rocked to the extreme. As the audience queue outside the venue, you could feel the atmosphere building.
When entering the arena, the massive backdrop with the logo of Mammoth WVH, the stage was set and just waiting for the band to enter the arena. As the venue filled up the lights went down for the opening band to begin, featuring Wolfgang Van Halen the son of the legend Eddie Van Halen.
The opened their set with Mammoth that caught the eye of the Glasgow audience as they made their way into the venue. Playing a rock n roll they turned the heads and as Wolfgang’s vocals sounded amazing. Mr Ed was a real crowd pleaser before Wolfgang assumed his position at the keyboards to perform Epiphany.
The stage was dim lighting with the main stop light featured on Wolfgang with the rest of his band member more just a silhouette in front of the backdrop. With the band been the first support band it was a short set, but it was powerful and delivered the quality of his songs to the Glasgow audience. He fished off the set with the excellent You’re to blame before saying goodbye to Glasgow with Don’t Back Down. The band had a great reaction from the Glasgow audience as they were leaving the stage.
As the main arena lights came up you could see how packed the arena was as they appreciated the music of Mammoth WVH, the atmosphere was electric before the main support road crew were setting up the stage.
The arena lights went down as the intro music for Halestorm sounded through the pa system as the band took their positions as Arjay Hale sat up top on the drum kit the search lights were shining on the stage into the audience as Lzzy Hale took to the stage as a massive roar came from the Glasgow audience.
Her stage presence was immense starting the set off with the excellent The Steeple and Love Bites (So Do I), they were tearing the venue apart as the rocked out, Lzzy was on top form, covering the whole of the stage making sure she made contact with the eyes of the fans at the first few rows as she delivered the amazing version of Wicked Ways. The band playing a shorter set than normal but there are not letting the crowd cool down as they hit through their back catalogue with tracks including Bombshell, Familiar Taste of Poison after this the spot lights turn to the drum kit as Arjay is sitting there and entertains the Glasgow audience with an excellent Drum Solo as the rest of the band look on. Halestorm were here to blow any cobwebs left on the venue away as they stormed the venue like a tornado with their power-driven songs. The closed their set with Back From the Dead, I Get Off and delighted the Glasgow audience with the excellent I Miss The Misery. This was a top-notch performance that might be hard to follow as they had an amazing standing ovation from their fans and the new fans they just won over. Tonight, Halestorm came and delivered a memorable set full of passion that delighted the Glasgow audience. As the band left the stage the echoes of the applause were still ringing around the venue.
The venue packed were ready for headliners Alter Bridge to take to the stage, after Halestorm they will need to give it their best performance. The Glasgow audience have been given a real rock n roll treat tonight so far, with two excellent bands warming up the crowd.
It was time for Alter Bridge to take to the stage the band featuring vocalist/rhythm guitarist Myles Kennedy, lead guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips. Tonight, was going to be special. As the venue lights went down the intro music started as flashes of white spots captured the stage area as the band took to the stage. Myles Kennedy assumed his position at the front of the stage with Mark Tremonti next to him. The opened the set with Silver Tongue from the latest album Pawns & Kings. The band were out there to kick ass tonight, you could see it in the reaction from the opening song before the blasted into a set list filled with songs from their back catalogue. Addicted to Pain had the crowd in full voice.
Myles and Mark were up front really taking the performance to the Glasgow audience, as the worked their way through the opening song including Ghosts of Days Gone By, Shed My Skin, Waters Rising and the excellent Sin After Sin. As Myles took the stage front, he performed a classic version of In Loving Memory acoustic version that had the whole venue as a backing choir.
Tonight, Myles Kennedy and the boys were totally on fire, as the large screens show the passion in their bands eyes as the performed. The continued with the excellent Blackbird, Wouldn’t You Rather from the excellent Walk the Sky album. The closed the set-in pure Alter Bridge style with an excellent version of Metalingus from the One Day Remains album and closed the set that had the Glasgow audience taking the roof of the venue with Open Your Eyes. What a performance as the band left the stage up against the curfew, they came back on stage to perform from the Blackbird album Rise Today that was the ultimate crowd pleaser that delivered everything from the band you could imagine. As the said their goodbye the audience wanted more but curfew was in the way as the waved nodded and throw guitar picks and drumsticks in the Glasgow audience.
As the band left the stage and the lights came up it was time for the audience to get their breath back after what was an amazing performance from Myles Kennedy and Alter Bridge not forgetting the amazing support band Mammoth WVH and Lzzy Hales Halestorm this was a rock n roll night to remember.
Review and Photographs by James Edmond
