Alter Bridge & Black Stone Cherry - Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff - 23rd November 2011 (Live Review)
Monday, 28 November 2011
Written by Jon Stickler
Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena provided the stage for a co-headline performance from US rockers Black Stone Cherry and Alter Bridge Wednesday night, 23rd November. Supported by Canada's Theory Of A Deadman, who in my opinion deserved more time than they were allocated, the two headline bands delivered sensational sets, albeit a few problems with Alter Bridge's sound.
Kentucky rockers Black Stone Cherry kicked-off the co-headline show, playing a set consisting of hits from their three studio albums 'Black Stone Cherry', 'Folklore And Superstition' and latest offering 'Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea'. On the road promoting their third album, Black Stone Cherry appeared to enjoy every moment of their set from the moment they kicked-off with 'Change' to the roaring appreciation voiced by the crowd at the end of their show. Delivering thrilling performances of 'Blind Man' and 'Soulcreek', from second album 'Folklore And Superstition', the first half of the set even included an impressive cover of newly-reformed Black Sabbath's 'Iron Man'.
Wrangling up the crowd into a frenzy, Black Stone Cherry front-man Chris Robertson's (second pic) southern tones command the audience to have the party of their life, at one point demanding that "if Black Stone Cherry fans wanna record the show, then let 'em - just make sure it's up on YouTube by next week!" Guitarist Ben Wells and bassist Jon Lawhon race across the stage with endless energy, clambering to be as close to the crowd as possible while drummer John Fred Young is a blur of arms and hair. Black Stone Cherry are playing one of their best shows ever and loving every minute.
Mid-way through the set the band deliver the poignant 'Things My Father Said' before revisiting their popular rendition of Adele's 'Rolling In The Deep', which went down a storm with fans during their performance at Download Festival earlier this year. The thundering 'White Trash Millionaire' and 'Blame It On The Boom Boom', from current album 'Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea', take us through to the end of a set that finishes with a short cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Southern rock anthem 'Sweet Home Alabama' before a balls-out performance of 'Lonely Train'.
Having seen Black Stone Cherry perform a few times, it appears their step-up to arena shows has not affected them in the slightest. Still pumped, still full of appreciation for an army of fans and still thoroughly enjoying what they're doing.
Alter Bridge could perhaps learn a lesson from their tour buddies. Following years of touring smaller venues, Alter Bridge's step-up to arena venues was marred by a performance that, at times, came across as lacklustre, on occasion giving the impression they were just going through the motions. It was also incredibly loud and, on occasions, distorted to a level which led to the normally fantastic vocals of Myles Kennedy (main pic) being very difficult to hear.
Don't take me for someone who enjoys listening to Coldplay and Snow Patrol. I'm a huge fan of knocking the board up to '11' for some gut-rumbling bass, however, Alter Bridge took things a little too far last night. It was a shame as I was expecting a fantastic performance from an outfit that has been dubbed as one of modern Rock's biggest bands.
More positively though, Alter Bridge's beefy guitar riffs and tight basslines were in abundance as the band belted out songs such as 'Slip Into The Void', 'Broken Wings' and 'White Knuckles'. The pace slowed briefly as the lights dimmed for Myles to acoustically deliver two beautiful renditions of 'Wonderful Life' and 'Watch Over You'. A welcome relief from the constant rumble of noise.
The sound issues didn’t seem to disappoint an adoring crowd who seemed to genuinely overwhelm Alter Bridge with huge appreciation. The set drew to an end with the likes of 'Ties That Bind' and an encore that included the hugely popular 'Rise Today'.
A fantastic night overall. Two of this generation's most popular rock outfit's teaming up to deliver a rock show that perhaps could've only been improved with a closer examination of the sound levels. Following a brilliant set from Black Stone Cherry, the show left me with real sense that Alter Bridge could have sounded a lot better. Upon leaving fans seems to disregard the sound issues leaving me to believe that was how Alter Bridge usually sound, call me old fashioned but surely not??
Check out a full gallery of photograph's from the show HERE.
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Wrangling up the crowd into a frenzy, Black Stone Cherry front-man Chris Robertson's (second pic) southern tones command the audience to have the party of their life, at one point demanding that "if Black Stone Cherry fans wanna record the show, then let 'em - just make sure it's up on YouTube by next week!" Guitarist Ben Wells and bassist Jon Lawhon race across the stage with endless energy, clambering to be as close to the crowd as possible while drummer John Fred Young is a blur of arms and hair. Black Stone Cherry are playing one of their best shows ever and loving every minute.
