Last Sunday morning it was the 9:47 to Manchester rather than the 5:25 to Glasgow.

Having waved goodbye to Robin Hood as I passed Nottingham Castle, I headed on foot to the station, praying that the trains were running on time.

Give or take five minutes, the rather overcrowded 947 arrived at Manchester Piccadilly. Another short ride out to Manchester Victoria on an equally crowded train and I was there with time to spare before the 1:30 rendezvous for the meet and greet.

I’ll not bore you the blow by blow account but will summarise several hours in a few words. Sound check sounded sweet. The meet and greet photo opportunity was oh so short and oh so sweet. Then we queued…. In various places around the arena thanks to a lack of organisations…for hours! It was well worth it.

Rail spot secured for a second night in a row, I waited with bated breath for the show to begin.

Sound problems plagued The Raven Age from the outset. Friends later told me that the sound was better further back in the arena but down at the front we could barely hear vocalist Matt James. The band played a solid set once more, delivering the same seven songs as they had done in Nottingham the night before. Again, The Day The World Stood Still was the highlight song for me. Was left wishing that the sound had been better for all concerned. Sorry, guys.

By the time Shinedown took to the stage a short while later, the sound issues had disappeared. There’s an almost military precision to Shinedown’s set and in some respects front man Brent Smith reminds me a of a ballet dancer such is the sharpness and accuracy of his moves. Like The Raven Age before them, they too stuck with the same set up to a point.

Eric Bass, the bass player, seemed particularly animated as he leapt and spun across the stage. I was even fortunate enough to catch a pick. Thank you!

Stand out songs on this occasion were Monsters, Second Chance and, of course, Simple Man.

Following an awesome Sound of Madness, Brent Smith turned the stage over to guitarist Zach Myers to perform a rather poignant and emotionally charged performance of the Oasis song Don’t Look Back In Anger.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mnZXwpGA94

Shinedown rounded their set off in energetic style with Brilliant.

Before Alter Bridge’s One Life intro was over, the Manchester crowd were showing their love for the band judging by the volume of their initial reaction.

I have to be honest here. I’m more used to lively Scottish crowds and the Manchester audience seemed a little static.

Alter Bridge were on fire on stage. Compared to the The Last Hero tour there is a new energy to the Walk The Sky shows. Visually they are more spectacular with the banks of screens, laser lights and CO2 jets.

There were six songs from the current album on the seventeen song setlist, not including One Life. I feel it’s fair to say that most of these were well-received by the vast crowd but the fans still love the “classic” Alter Bridge tracks.

After the fabulous Ghost Of Days Gone By (Have I mentioned that I love that one?) Myles announced that they were going to play s song requested by a fan earlier in the day. Thanks to the fan’s request, we were treated to My Champion from the Last Hero album. Wonderful stuff!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lhmoodwbqU

There was a certain magic to another song from the Last Hero a few songs further into the set. AS Myles stepped into the spotlight and began to play the intro to Cry Of Achilles, he had everyone in the arena in the palm of his hand. (OK most of us had been there all night-he can do no wrong) Love that song.

Next it was Mark Tremonti’s turn to sing the lead vocal as he stepped forward to perform Forever Falling. Awesome song on the album and even more awesome live!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-DtC8w1Am0

Two stools were brought out on stage next. That could only mean one thing- an acoustic duet. But which one? In Loving Memory. Such an emotional but beautiful song. A few wet cheeks around me after that as emotions got the better of a lot of us. As to continue the emotional rollercoaster, Blackbird followed.

Three powerful songs in a row, guys!

The Metalingus Mosh restored the element of fun to proceedings as Alter Bridge rounded out their main set. Myles holds the fans down in that crouch position for a LONG time! Thank God for the rail to help you bounce up!

After a brief sojourn into the wings, Alter Bridge returned to the stage for a two-song encore – Godspeed and Addicted To Pain.

Incredible show from four of the best. Thank you, boys!

There was only one negative element to the whole show and that’s the arena’s policy on sharing water with the fans at the front few rows. A communal sports bottle of water shared all too closely by multiple fans on purely the front row is both unhygienic and dangerous. Five hours on the rail with no water makes the show an endurance event. I just wish common sense would prevail here and see this ludicrous policy reviewed. I’m not sure at this point if I’ll ever return to Manchester Arena and the lack of public hygiene standards and hydration for the fans are the primary reasons. Sad….