14/09/2023
Hey Everyone! I know this will be a long read, but here is our review of the Sevendust/Alter Bridge show that took place in Minneapolis, MN at The Fillmore on Aug. 29th Enjoy.
Alter Bridge is wrapping up their successful Pawns and Kings tour with Sevendust. Before it comes to an end, they made a stop at The Fillmore in Minneapolis, MN. Weeks prior to this stop, Mammoth WVH was the opening act and I was really hoping they would still be on the bill when they arrived to Minneapolis, but his run with the tour ended just days prior. Replacing WVH was Long Island based trio MJT. I did miss most of MJT’s set, as I showed up late, but from what I did witness was a band of very talented musicians. I will be honest and say that I was not a big fan of their style of music. Their style was more of a progressive nature with some different elements and arrangements with their music.
No one can deny that Sevendust is one of the hardest working bands and one of the best live bands since they released their first album in 1997. Sevendust has been road warriors year after year. Every time I see them live, I am blown away by how good they sound and how much energy they have on that stage. Watching them you can tell that they love what they do and they also appreciate their fans for showing up night after night.
“Face to Face” got things started off like a blast from a cannon. It has been a few years since I last saw Sevendust, and “Face To Face” was normally the closer. Opening with this song really got the crowd into it right away and they kept things going with “Denial.” There was not a lot of room on the stage for Sevendust, as the drum set was already set up for headliner Alter Bridge. With what little room they had, they still delivered a high energy performance.
Lajon Witherspoon, vocalist, did show a lot of emotion prior to “Disgrace.” He was standing with his mic stand and you could start to see his eyes tear up a little. I am sure this song has a special meaning to Witherspoon, and a flood of emotion takes over him when they perform “Disgrace.” The tears kept on flowing into the next song, “Angel’s Son,” a song that was dedicated to Lynn Straight from Snot, has now taken a personal meaning to Witherspoon as his brother was killed years back. So this song is dedicated to anyone who has lost a loved one.
Anyone who has seen Sevendust live before, knows to keep an eye on drummer, Morgan Rose. Rose is a beast on the drum kit and helps Witherspoon with vocals on many tracks. Guitarists, Clint Lowery and John Connolly, trade guitar solos between songs. Bassist, Vince Hornsby, who was mainly in the back next to Rose (because of the room on the stage), made sure to make his way up front to show off his bass skills.
With the recent release of Truth Killer, I was hoping to hear a few new songs live, but with their limited set time they were only able to play one song off that album. "Everything" is the new single and getting a lot of air time on satellite radio. It is one of my favorite songs off Truth Killer, so I was pleased to hear it live. "Shine" was the closing song from their unbelievable performance. Sevendust did say they will be back out on the road later this year, and I will make sure I am there so I can hear more of their new tracks live.
Sevendust Set List
Face To Face
Denial
Crucified
Karma
Disgrace
Angel's Son
Everything
Shine
Alter Bridge is one of those bands that when they go on tour, you better go and see them because you never know when they will tour again. Singer/Guitarist, Myles Kennedy, is busy with Slash's solo band and guitarist, Mark Tremonti, is busy releasing solo albums and touring in support of them. Along with Tremonti, bassist, Brian Marshall, and drummer, Scott Phillips, are members of Creed (who just announced a reunion on a cruise) and there is speculation that a national tour is to follow.
Pawns & Kings is the newest release from Alter Bridge and a lot of their fans will say that this is their best release since their first album, One Day Remains. Alter Bridge's set for the night focused heavily on their first two albums, while three songs from their newest release were played: "Silver Tongue" (set opener), "This Is War" (my favorite from the album), and the epic track "Fable of the Silent Son."
Tremonti is known as one of the better guitar players out there today. It was such an honor to watch him play - seeing him play live proves just how good of a guitar player he is. Not only is he talented on the guitar, but he also has a great singing voice. He proved it "Cry of Achilles" and then sang vocals for "Watch Over You." With his most recent release of Sinatra songs, it shows all the talent he truly has.
My friend, Alex, and I who were there to experience something very cool that night. Alex's 9-year-old son, Otto, was with us as well, and he got noticed by the security up front. They brought him around the barricade and placed him up on a platform front and center. He got to witness most of the show from right up there, and as Alex and I watched him, we could not keep the smiles off our faces. Marshall was the first one to notice him and without hesitation he leaned over and handed him one of his pics. Next was Kennedy, and he did the same thing, he leaned over and handed him one of his guitar pics. Once the song was over, Kennedy pointed out Otto to his band and the crowd. Then said that he was happy to see someone so young at the show and mentioned that he is part of our future generation and proud of his dad for bringing him to the show.
Alter Bridge kept the audience in the palm of their hand for the whole night. They filled the set with their hits: "Addicted to Pain," "Blackbird," "Come To Life," "Isolation," another one of my favorite tracks, "Metalingus," and set closer "Rise Today."
Phillips came out from the drum kit and then proceeded to hand Otto one of his drum sticks and then Marshall handed him one of their set lists. Tremonti came over and gave Otto a fist bump to show his appreciation of someone so young at their show.
I want to thank the staff at The Fillmore in Minneapolis for bringing Otto up front like that. It was so awesome to see how Alter Bridge treated him and this will be something that Alex and I will never forget.
Alter Bridge Set List
Silver Tongue
Addicted to Pain
This is War
Broken Wings
Burn It Down
Cry of Achilles
Watch Over You with Tremonti on vocals
In Loving Memory
Blackbird
Come to Life
Fable of the Silent Son
Isolation
Open Your Eyes
Metalingus
Rise Today