Review by Paddy Gallagher for MPM
In a break from the recent norm, there were clear blue skies and sunshine in the North West of Ireland as four noble road warriors climbed aboard the trusty metal steed and headed down the Rockin’ Road to Dublin for a highly anticipated gig in the 3Arena, Alter Bridge headlining with special guests Daughtry and openers Sevendust.
Regular visitors to these shores, Alter Bridge always bring the riffs and tonight was no exception; and not only do they bring the riffs, they bring the followers with a surprising amount having travelled to Dublin from overseas as they follow the band on a number of dates on the tour. Meet and Greets, Guitar Clinics (even for non-guitarists) the faithful support the band in many ways, not just ticket sales and merchandise.
It was a comfortable drive down in cracking driving conditions and we arrived in Dublin just before 4pm, parked up and headed for a mosey about. A few pints of Guinness (and Guinness 0.0% for our driver), some food ravenously consumed, we meet with some lovely English Alter Bridge fans for a chat before we headed into the venue and made the usual beeline straight to the merch stalls.
As the disclaimer usually states, times are subject to change and by my reckoning kick off was brought forward by 10 minutes as Sevendust made their long awaited debut on an Irish stage.
Quite how a band of their stature never played here before is a head scratcher and the reception and backing they got from the crowd tonight should entice them back soon, as hinted at by vocalist Lajon Witherspoon.
Serious riffage flowed and the crowd were well into them, they put in a consummate performance which included being joined onstage on 3rd guitar by manager Tim Tournier with songs taken from five of the albums in their expansive discography.
Quite a fantastic Irish debut, they will be welcomed back anytime!
After a quick change over, the lights dimmed again to herald the arrival of Daughtry on stage. Fronted by American Idol 4th placed contestant in Season 5, Chris Daughtry, they play an American Rock Radio friendly set of melodic rockers that includes a cover of Journey’s “Separate Ways” highlighting the genre their catalogue best compares to.
After the energetic reaction to Sevendust it took the crowd a few songs to liven up again and 4th song of the set, the Journey cover did just that, giving the kick start needed. From then on it was a spectacle of arena friendly Hard Rock with some pyro included, and it’s easy to see how bands such as Daughtry can pull in the crowds throughout the US Arena circuit with a stage presence and usage that’s down to a fine art.
And finally the time arrives for tonight’s headliners to turn up the heavy and leave another memorable footprint in the Dublin live scene. As the lights dimmed the band casually sauntered on stage and kicked off proceedings with “Silent Divide” from the recently released new album “Alter Bridge”. Heavy is here. Foundation shaking riffs and pounding rhythm section, Myles Kennedy is looking every inch the rock star in tinted glasses and snazzy casual jacket.
The stage set was stripped back, plenty of floor space for the front three to cooly stroll about, with the random guitar lead tangle leading to laughs between Myles and lead guitarist Mark Tremonti. Stage right, Brian Marshall patrols his patch with a cool sophistication as only a master of the low end can and accompanying him as usual in the rhythm section, Scott Phillips sits resplendent behind his drumkit and screen.
Myles chucks his jacket to a roadie and the magnificent melodies keep flowing. After “Addicted To Pain” and “Cry of Achilles” from the “Fortress” album we return to the new album and “What Lies Within”. Then we are hit with the magnificent title track from fourth album “Fortress”, complete with crushing heaviness and a smoking guitar solo.
Myles steps back from the microphone allowing Mark to take over on vocals for “Burn it Down” which he handles perfectly before we are taken back to the first album and “Open Your Eyes”. The chugging riff of “Tested and Able” sees Mark back at the microphone before the tempo eases for the start of “Broken Wings”.
Myles then straps on his acoustic guitar and introduces the emotionally charged “Wonderful Life / Watch Over You” medley preluded by the story of the band’s performance at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre a few years back when his parents were in attendance and how they remembered how much fun they had and how welcome they were made. That finger picked first few bars before Myles sings “Close your eyes, and just here me sing, one last long goodbye, one last song before you spread your wings” is beautiful, as indeed is the song dealing with saying goodbye to a loved one in the last moments of their life, and the subsequently similarly themed “Watch Over You”.
We pound onwards through “Silver Tongue” and “Rise Today” before the ultimate set closer “Metalingus” from debut album “One Day Remains”.
After the short break its encore time, and the band re-emerge with Myles playing the intro to perhaps the ultimate Alter Bridge song, “Blackbird” which builds and builds into the climatic solo from Mark and some fine interplay and fist bumps between Myles and Mark, two accomplished guitarists who we are blessed to see on the one stage. Fist bumps, smiles and relaxed good vibes shine from the stage all through the night from a band so happy to be here and so happy in their career and deftly crafted music.
What else could be the last song of the night but “Isolation” with its chorus that stays in your head long after the lights come up and you head homeward as proven by our Guinness 0.0% fuelled driver as he sings and taps the steering wheel.
It is clear as day how this band elicits such loyalty and passion from their followers. Long may Alter Bridge grace our stages and our ears.
Photography by Eamonn Smyth for MPM
