Here we are, my first concert review of 2023, and damn was it a good one. This whole thing kind of came up last minute. Wasn’t sure If I’d be in town with the new job involving travel at times so I had to wait until I knew for sure what was happening. Luckily, it was going to be an ‘in the area’ week for work so we submitted and got the approval just a few days before the date of the show. I was excited about the lineup because I enjoy and respect all three bands that played that night. Little did I know, all three bands would put on some of the best performances that I’ve seen from each of them and all three bands were simply incredible that night.

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Red ‘kicked off’ the night, and I mean that literally, as you see in the photo above. I’ve always appreciated this band and I’ve seen them several times over the last fifteen or so years. Tonight was different though. This was my first time seeing them at a venue of this size and I think that influenced their performance in a major way. The energy from them was untouchable. I was hanging with a few friends that had never seen them before and they were also blown away. I loved and expected to hear ‘Death of Me’, ‘Already Over’ and ‘Breathe into Me’ but I totally forget about ‘Feed the Machine’. Damn, what a great song! I stood there in proudly watching them play because so many of my friends, and many of those in attendance, had never seen them before, a few had never even heard of them until that day. Amazing show, gentlemen. I was in awe of you and most importantly, I saw you.

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Next up was Mammoth WVH and I don’t even know where or how to start this part. Being someone that has always loved music, and always payed close attention to the bands I loved, including watching their kids grow up, this meant a lot. Especially now that Eddie has left us. I watched Jack and Kelly Osbourne grow up and I watched Wolfgang grow up as well. I was so excited to see this band tonight and I was not disappointed. Great show, amazing band, and damn, can that kid sing and play. I’ve seen Wolfy before playing with Mark Tremonti and his solo project, but to see him do his thing fronting his own band, playing his own songs. That was a totally different animal. I’m not sure if he was more excited to be playing Detroit that night or if the crowd was more excited to see him. Either way, there was an aura happening and something special was definitely going down. First off, he couldn’t have picked a better group of players, everyone in his and were top notch. They not only sounded amazing, but they played off of each other so well and you could tell that they were having a blast together on stage. I watched so proudly, almost like a dad, or best friend would, as they kept the crowd focused on what they were putting out there. I loved hearing ‘Stoned’, ‘Don’t Back Down’, and especially ‘The Distance’. Although I know who the song is really about, it relates in many ways, and for many others that have been a part of my life over the years and are now no longer with us. I have to add that I really enjoyed ‘Think It Over’. I hadn’t heard it before and the fact that Wolfy made a point of mentioning that it was his dad’s favorite song didn’t hurt. Such a great set and he was so humble and appreciative of the love that Detroit showed him that night. I couldn’t help but think about how proud EVH must be looking down.

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Next up was the headliner, and someone that has always been solid, relevant, and true in my opinion. It was time for Alter Bridge. The fact that Mark Tremonti is a Michigan boy, and that Alter Bridge is an actual bridge on Alter Road in Grosse Pointe, Michigan is one thing, but this band is simply incredible. Scott Phillips is such an incredible and underrated drummer, Tremonti is a beast, Brian Marshall definitely holds it down and what can you say about Myles? One of the best rock vocalists of our generation, hands down. It always blows my mind that it was because of the movie ‘Rockstar’ that he finally started getting major attention. It also kind of shocks me about how many people don’t even know that fact. Another Alter Bridge show and another amazing set from the guys. The crowd went full blown crazy as they took the stage and the onslaught of hits and heavy hitters went on and on. I was pleasantly surprised to not only hear all of my favorite songs, but also a few that I liked from the new album. Another band with great chemistry and a band that is so much fun to watch. I’ve seen Alter Bridge several times over the years, from a special acoustic appearance at the Hard Rock Cafe, sponsored by local rock station WRIF, and their first major headline show at the now gone, Clutch Cargo’s, to the other night at the Fillmore in downtown Detroit. They never leave you hanging yet always have you wanting more by the end of the show. Highlights for me were hearing ‘Addicted to Pain’, ‘Ghost of Days Gone By’ and ‘Isolation’. It was also nice to hear ‘Watch Over You’, especially done by Myles alone, acoustically. That song has so much meaning for me and it literally gave me goosebumps. Well done, Myles! Their set ended with an encore of ‘Rise Today’ and ‘Open Your Eyes’ and there couldn’t have been a better two songs to finish it up. I have to end this part of the review with mentioning how awesome it was to see Mark interact with so many of the fans that went up to the front to say hey, give fist pumps and high fives or just share throwing horns up. I’m guessing many of them were people that he knew or remembered from his time living in Michigan. We see you and we’re so proud of you, Mark Tremonti.

Closing this one out, I have to stress and say once again, that every band brought their A-game tonight. I can’t think of the last time that I attended a show where every band was just incredible and totally owned the stage. This is a tour and lineup that nobody should miss if it comes to your area. I left the venue that night feeling so fulfilled and satisfied with the rock show that I had just witnessed. Thanks to all the bands for an amazing evening. Until the next one.

-Howie