Halestorm, Black Veil Brides and Mothica Hammer OVO Wembley Arena [Show Review]

It is almost a year to the day that Halestorm supported Alter Bridge at London’s almighty O2 Arena, and although they were not headlining, their presence on that stage was that of a band who deserved to be. Forward a year and to the equally impressively sized OVO Wembley, and on December 9th, Halestorm was now in that position. They were to step out onto one of the world’s top stages and make it theirs and make their well-overdue mark. Before this historical moment, though, up-and-coming Mothica were to seize their own opportunity by setting the tone for the night to come.

Although their time in the spotlight was short and sadly not to a capacity-busting level, Mothica delivered a tight set that gained them a new fan in every person who opted to come early and was a symbiotic Christmas gift between the band and the fans.

With the main support coming from Black Veil Brides, the expectation was understandably high for them to deliver a performance worthy of the position they were granted.

Black Veil Brides took to the stage as an imposing orchestral score played out. As each member’s silhouette became visible, a cool blue light shone behind them. As the orchestral score reached its climax, fire erupted from the stage as they blasted into “Crimson Skies.” It was a powerful start to a strong set.

Black Veil Brides can garner some negativity from the older generation of headbangers, but even these naysayers found it challenging not to get drawn in by their performance. Saving some of their most well-loved tunes, such as “The Legacy” and “Knives and Pens,” for the end of their performance kept the true believers hooked and caused the haters to subconsciously headbang inadvertently admitting to the world that they were also secret fans.

The main event of course was many years in the making, a culmination of many years of hard work and a back catalogue of absolute bangers, it goes without saying this is Halestorm’s time. As the lights came up Lzzy Hale’s powerful, earth-shattering vocals permeated Wembley. No music, just her as she sang load and proud an acapella snipped of “Raise Your Horns” signalling the start of their biggest UK show to date. Confetti was blasted into the crowd as Joe (Hottinger), Josh (Smith) and Ms Hale’s very own brother Arejay chimed in blasting laud and proud into “I Miss the Misery” drowning out the ear bleeding loud cheers of the audience.

“Love Bites (So Do I)” followed, ensuring that there was no opportunity for the energy in the room to dissipate. As the tune drew to a close, Arejay kept a drumbeat going as Lzzy addressed Wembley taking the time to acknowledge how big of a night this was for Halestorm but also delivering an empowering speech to the ladies in the crowd. Encouraging anyone that was able bodied enough to lift the ladies high on their shoulders as she dedicated “I Get Off” to those very women. To near perfection Lzzy transitioned into another acapella moment dropping to her knees as she once again let her astonishing vocals take centre stage delivering an outstanding rendition of “Crazy on You”. This was followed by yet another seamless transition into “Wicked Ways” then another into “Freak Like Me” as she shouted at the crowd: “London, are you a freak like me”? London responded confirming that they are, indeed, freaks like her.

During “Amen” Joe was afforded his moment to shine delivering an extended instrumental ensuring that the audience knew Halestorm was more than just their iconic leading lady. It was an auditory overload of pure musical pleasure!

Lzzy then took a moment to once again address the audience asking who’s first time at a Halestorm show it was cheekily stating “welcome to the family, you’re stuck with us now!” At this moment Josh and Arjay left the stage enabling the tone of the show to change for a more emotional atmosphere and Joe and Lzzy duetted “Terrible Things” a portion of “Rock Show” culminating in “Familiar Taste of Poison”. The stage was bathed in green with smoke emanating around the duo as they built the tension of this captivating moment before the remainder of the band retuned their sides ending this portion of the show in a spellbinding way.

Of course, it would not truly be a Halestorm show if Arejay didn’t get his chance to deliver a drum solo, and, as always, this was a moment of intensity as the stickman demonstrated what a true ball of energy he really is. Oh, and the oversized drumsticks made their appearance; it would be sacrilege for this not to occur.

Following the blisteringly amazing “Back From the Dead” and “Bombshell,” Lzzy proudly stated: “London, tonight you are the fire!” As the darkened crowd of Wembley lit up with phone lights, Halestorm ensured the night would be burned into everyone as they played “I am the Fire.”

Now, it would have been a huge anti-climax if this marked the end of the show, but thankfully this was not the case and as the lights once again illuminated the stage, a grand piano was present centre stage enabling Lzzy to deliver heart-warming renditions of “Break In,” the Lindsey Stirling song, “Shatter Me” and “Raise Your Horns.” The only real description that can be given is that this section of the show was a timeless moment of true beauty.

As the show began to reach its apex, Joe, Josh, and Arejay came back to join Lzzy for the finale, delivering “Here’s to Us,” ensuring everyone in attendance felt like they were part of something huge, a movement, part of the Halestorm family. Halestorm brought the show to its final end with a sermon of rock with “The Steeple.”

Halestorm has been a constant for rock fans; they know this and are clearly humbled by this fact. The success that has brought them to Wembley could not be more deserved, and Lzzy’s empowerment of women across the globe is a testament to their importance, and how the rock world doesn’t just want them, they need them. We are all Halestorm’s freaks raising our horns in their cathedral.

Mothica Setlist:

1. Casualty
2. Can You Feel My Heart (Bring Me the Horizon cover)
3. Vices
4. Buzzkill
5. Forever Fifteen
6. All Star (Smash Mouth cover)
7. Another High
8. Sensitive

Black Vasil Brides Setlist:

1. Crimson Skies
2. Rebel Love Song
3. Wake Up
4. Nobody’s Hero
5. Devil
6. Scarlet Cross
7. Torch
8. The Legacy
9. Knives and Pens
10. Fallen Angels
11. In The End

Halestorm Setlist:

1. I Miss the Misery
2. Love Bites (So Do I)
3. I Get Off
4. Wicked Ways
5. Freak Like Me
6. Amen
7. Terrible Things
8. Rock Show
9. Familiar Taste of Poison
10. Takes My Life
11. Arejay’s Drum Solo
12. Back From the Dead
13. Bombshell
14. I Am the Fire
Encore:
15. Break In / Shatter Me
16. Raise Your Horns
17. Here’s to Us
18. The Steeple