Having flown to Birmingham the day before on a beautiful crisp sunny December day, gig day dawned misty and icy cold….

I was staying out near the airport so my journey to the Resorts World Arena involved a trip through the airport, a ride on the monorail shuttle link to Birmingham International then what felt like a 10 mile hike through the NEC complex- all in search of Alter Bridge!

Again I was doing the VIP Soundcheck Experience (well, you only live once and its Christmas and I’ve been a good girl…) Around 70 Alter Bridge fans were gathered at the designated entrance by the pre-arranged time. It was great to see more “AB Family” friends, some of whom I haven’t see for several years and also great to connect with several that until then I’d only see on FB.

There was a few minutes delay once we were inside the building before we were allowed to enter the arena bowl for our soundcheck experience but we could still hear Alter Bridge working through their pre-show checks. As soon as we were advised that we could enter the bowl, the majority of folk rushed straight to the rail. Personally, I enjoy the soundcheck view from slightly further back, drinking in the whole stage lighting effects. I also love watching the guys at work like this and enjoy hearing the three or four songs or parts of songs that they checked.

Once the “class” photos had been taken, we were ushered back outside into the freezing temperatures to wait for doors opening. If only we’d been allowed to wait in the foyer area inside…

When we were finally allowed back in at 5:45pm, we lined up for a few minutes before being granted entry to the arena bowl. One brisk power walk across the vast floorspace and my rail spot for the night was secured. Happy days!

At 6:55 pm the lights dinned and opening act Mammoth WVH took to the stage. I was standing further to the left than I had been in Glasgow earlier in the week so had a great view of guitarist Frank Sidoris and bassist Ronnie Ficaro and of course the super talented Wolf Van Halen. Half an hour just isn’t enough, although these guys crammed seven songs into it. Wolf’s dad is never far from his thoughts. Introducing Think It Over, Wolf commented that it had been his dad’s favourite. Loved it.

Think It Over – MammothWVH @ Resorts World Arena Birmingham 11/12/22 – YouTube

Highlight song again for me was Distance, closely followed by Don’t Back Down.

Distance – Mammoth WVH @ Resorts World Arena Birmingham 11/12/22 – YouTube

Wolf, when’s that headline UK tour happening?  HINT!

I need to explain something briefly here. To my left on the rail was a huge Arejay Hale fan and she’d arrived for the show armed with various homemade signs to hold up during the show. She’d begged a few of us to help her to hold up letters during Arejay’s drum solo. So armed with a letter U, I waited patiently for Halestorm to take to the stage.

Around 7:50 pm the lights went out and Lzzy’s dulcet tones screamed out “You are my kingdom! This is my cathedral!”

As she stood centre stage in a single white spotlight, Halestorm stormed into The Steeple. Such a powerful set opener!

It was closely followed by Wicked Ways and one of the set highlights for me Love Bites (So Do I)

Love Bites (So Do I) – Halestorm @ Resorts World Birmingham 11/12/22 – YouTube

I’ve seen Halestorm live many times over the past ten years or so but they have been awesome as the main support for this Alter Bridge tour.

My highlight song was Familiar Taste of Poison. Love love love this one!

Next was Arejay’s drum solo. Time for those signs! I’ll be honest, I had my doubts about whether he would notice them, but he did! Part way through his solo, they caught his eye and his wee face lit up like a kid’s on Christmas morning. He looked SO pleased! And what’s not to love about an Arejay Hale solo?…. and those “big sticks”. So glad he never tosses them into the crowd!

The remaining members of Halestorm returned to the stage to deliver a blistering Back From the Dead, title track from their current record.

The ever popular I Get Off and I Miss the Misery rounded off their awesome ten-song set.

I Get Off – Halestorm @ Resorts World Arena Birmingham 11/12/22 – YouTube

As the band waved their farewells, Arejay jumped down into the pit to thank “Little Miss Halestorm Fanatic” and to collect another sign asking for a Kemikalfire show. Taking the sign with him, he returned to the stage. Lovely to see a super-fan’s night being made.

Incredible set and despite the chilly temperatures in the arena, the crowd was now on fire, ready and waiting for Alter Bridge.

Shortly before 9:00pm the lights went out once more, the intro tape played, the lights pulsed around the stage…. Alter Bridge were in the room and they opened their almost two-hour set with an explosive Silver Tongue from their current album Pawns & Kings.

Everything about this tour has been on point. Sound. Lighting …and the set itself. Tonight’s sixteen-song setlist was packed with fan favourites, although I’ll confess, I would have liked to have seen one or two more from Pawns & Kings added into the mix. With a back catalogue spanning seven albums Alter Bridge would have to play for three hours plus to pull out everyone’s first choice of song.

Addicted to Pain from the Fortress era followed Silver Tongue and then one of my personal favourites from AB III, Ghost of Days Gone By. Love that one.

Ghost of Days Gone By – Alter Bridge @ Resorts World Arena Birmingham 11/12/22 – YouTube

A couple of songs later, another one of my favourites from those AB III days made a return to the set- the spellbinding Slip To the Void, the first Alter Bridge song I ever heard (truth).

Slip To The Void – Alter Bridge @ Resorts World Birmingham 11/12/22 – YouTube

Then it was another step right back to the One Day Remains era as Alter Bridge played the emotional Shed My Skin. Goosebumps moment.

Up next was Mark Tremonti’s turn to take over the vocal chores. The soundcheck experience had delivered a big hint as to what song he would opt to go for…Burn It Down. Such a powerful song live and great to hear it mid-set.

Burn It Down – Alter Bridge @ Resorts World Arena Birmingham 11/12/22 – YouTube

There was only one acoustic song on the setlist- the emotional In Loving Memory. Not a dry eye on the rail. Such a heartfelt ballad. Wonderful song.

And just to keep the emotions flowing freely down the cheeks, it was followed by Blackbird. No Alter Bridge set would be complete without it. It’s a song that the band admitted during the Q&A was the most challenging to write but also a favourite to play.

Oh, how to follow that?

Pawns & Kings, title track from the current album followed. First time hearing this one and I hope it finds its niche in the set for tours to come. (I’ll admit to having a smile playing on my lips during this one. It was listed on a recent setlist as Prawns & Wings…. I’ll leave that image there.)

Pawns & Kings – Alter Bridge @ Resorts World Arena Birmingham 11/12/22 – YouTube

After a mighty version of Isolation, Metalingus was the anthem of choice to close out the main body of the set. Since the introduction  of the Metalingus bounce/mosh, this song has been rejuvenated and is a fun highlight of the night with Myles coaxing the fans down into a crouched position….then holds them down there for what feels like forever! Great fun but not so much fun on the knees!

There was time for two songs in the encore – Rise Today and then standard set closer Open Your Eyes.

Two hours had gone by in the blink of an eye.

I could wax lyrical and totally fangirl over the musical talents of all four members of this band. There is so much talent on display out on stage every night but most of you know I adore these guys so instead all I’ll say is thank you to Myles, to Mark, to Brian, to Flip and to everyone who made these shows happen.

Counting the days to the next tour already.