Alter Bridge – Scott Phillips, Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall
If anyone tells you that Rock n’ Roll is dead, they obviously haven’t been to an Alter Bridge show. Now on the second U.S. leg of their extensive world tour in support their 5th studio album, The Last Hero, Alter Bridge are proving the naysayers wrong. Attend an Alter Bridge show and you’ll see rock is alive and well.
Formed from the ashes of multi-platinum superstars Creed, Alter Bridge is the brainchild of lead guitarist, Mark Tremonti. Along with former Creed members Brian Marshall (bass guitar) and Scott Phillips (drums), Tremonti set out for a fresh start. Although proud of his Creed days, it was time to take the next step in his musical maturation. The difference came in the form of Myles Kennedy.
Having toured with Kennedy’s previous band, The Mayfield Four, during their Creed days, Kennedy has not only brought in a much different vocal style with a much higher octave than Scott Stapp (Creed vocalist), he is also an incredible guitarist and has an innate ability to write, all major pieces not prevalent with their previous frontman experience.
Continuing the trend of doing things different, Alter Bridge toured the European market intensively from day one and it paid off. These days you’ll find Alter Bridge playing to sold-out crowds across the continent with the U.K. market being especially kind to them where they play to packed arenas, including London’s Wembley. Alter Bridge have also found themselves as the main support act at legendary Donington Castle’s Download Festival, where they will once again take the stage in June of this year to entertain in upwards of 100,000 concertgoers. After nearly a decade and a half, the U.S. is finally starting to take notice where they are headlining 2,000 plus seat theaters.
On this run Alter Bridge brought along some fresh faces with newcomers, Devour the Day, who are supporting their sophomore effort S.O.A.R. Along with them are Swedish melodic metal legends, In Flames. Now on their 12th studio album, Battles, this is a band with a catalog worthy of headline status themselves. A great package for those who enjoy some variety in their metal.
As Alter Bridge took to the stage at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, there was no major production here, no laser show or 30 foot flames; instead the quartet provided all that was needed with their raw intensity, led by Kennedy and Tremonti. The quartet would open the set with a monster off The Last Hero, “The Writing on the Wall.” This would get the attention of the near-capacity crowd quickly.
The ferocity would continue with “Come to Life” off their critically acclaimed sophomore record, Blackbird. This would be one of several anthems in the set that would see major crowd participation as they took over for Kennedy with a resounding: “AND DON’T FORGET WE’RE HEAR TO STAY!” Throughout the evening there were many moments like this on tracks such as, “Addicted to Pain,” “Metalingus,” and show closer, “Rise Today.”
Making an appearance on this evening off AB III was “Slip to the Void.” This was one you don’t hear at every show. With its epic intro that includes Kennedy’s haunting narrative, it was a killer addition to the set.
With Alter Bridge, you always get the impression they are grateful to be doing what they do. There is a sincerity in them you won’t find in most high-profile bands. This shined through at one point when Kennedy noticed an emotional fan in the crowd; not only did he take notice of the fan’s emotion but also recalled the fan from a prior Boston show. It was just before Myles acoustically performed “Watch Over You” where he quipped that the fan was crying because he couldn’t take listening to him sing anymore, bringing the audience to laughter and lightening the mood.
These days no Alter Bridge show would be complete without lead guitarist Mark Tremonti taking the helm on lead vocals for “Waters Rising” from their masterpiece, Fortress. For those not familiar, Tremonti is a great frontman in his own right as he handles lead vocals for his other band simply going by the moniker Tremonti. With three great metal albums released and more to come, he has become one of the genre’s strongest frontmen.
Tying off the 18 song setlist would be the first single off The Last Hero, “Show Me A Leader” then capping things off with “Rise Today” from Blackbird. You see, to really get the Alter Bridge experience you need to see them live. Not only are they one of today’s premier groups, they are also one of the sincerest group of guys taking the stage today. You not only get the sense that they give a shit about their fans, you know they do. Whether it’s the pre-and post-show interaction with the fans or how they connect with you while on stage by making eye contact or throwing a grin your way, they remember the fans that have shown up at different venues. It’s not only the amazing music they create, it’s their loyalty to their fans. This has created a well-deserved allegiance that continues to grow.
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Alter Bridge – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel – Setlist
- The Writing On The Wall
- Come To Life
- Farther Than The Sun
- Addicted To Pain
- Ghosts Of Days Gone By
- Cry Of Achilles
- Crows On A Wire
- Ties That Bind
- Slip To The Void
- My Champion
- Waters Rising
- Watch Over You
- Isolation
- Blackbird
- Open Your Eyes
- Metalingus
- Show Me A Leader
- Rise Today
Show review and images by: Brett Tully
