Black Stone Cherry & Skillet Electrify Wembley Arena [Show Review]

On November 23, 2024, Wembley Arena roared to life as Black Stone Cherry and Skillet delivered a night of unforgettable performances on the final stop of the Screamin’ at the Sky tour. The evening was a seamless blend of fiery rock anthems, heartfelt ballads, and explosive stagecraft, leaving the crowd energized and emotional. It wasn’t just a concert – it was a celebration of rock’s power to unite and uplift.

Skillet stormed the stage with “Feel Invincible”, immediately igniting the crowd. The band’s infectious energy was palpable, with John Cooper leading the charge and Korey Cooper and Seth Morrison unleashing a torrent of riffs. By the time they launched into “Rise,” the Coopers were darting across the stage like rock n’ roll dynamos, and Jen Ledger’s precise drumming and stellar backup vocals elevated the performance to the next level.

“Surviving the Game” turned up the heat, with John Cooper strapping portable smoke machines to his arms and blasting clouds of vapour into the crowd. The theatrics only heightened the electrifying energy, and the audience responded by jumping and fist-pumping along. Each note of “Legendary” and “Unpopular” showcased Skillet’s ability to blend catchy, stadium-sized rock with emotional depth, engaging fans both visually and musically.

A standout moment came during “Awake and Alive,” where an electric cello added a hauntingly beautiful layer to the band’s sound, transitioning seamlessly into Korey Cooper’s poignant piano playing. John and Jen’s duet tugged at heartstrings before the song exploded back into a high-energy finale, demonstrating Skillet’s skill at taking listeners on an emotional journey. Another highlight, “Hero,” saw Jen stepping out from behind the drum kit to sing alongside John as the stage lit up in vibrant pink and blue hues. The emotional connection between the band and the audience was undeniable.

Skillet’s set crescendoed with a jaw-dropping drum and guitar solo by Ledger and Morrison, proving the band’s technical prowess before erupting into fan favourites like “Comatose” and “Monster.” Closing their set with the fiery anthem “The Resistance,” Skillet left the crowd begging for more. Their showmanship, energy, and passion made it clear they deserve to headline stages like Wembley in the near future.

After Skillet had warmed the crowd to a fever pitch, Black Stone Cherry entered with a theatrical flair, setting the tone with the instrumental of “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka before blasting into “Me and Mary Jane.” The Southern rock stalwarts wasted no time, with Chris Robertson’s soulful voice cutting through the arena as smoke cannons erupted and the curtain dropped. The band immediately transitioned into “Burnin’.” a hard-hitting anthem bathed in fiery red and yellow lights. Guitarist Ben Wells and bassist Steve Jewell Jr. bounded across the stage with unrelenting energy, even making use of the space behind the drum riser to keep the crowd fully engaged.

Tracks like “Again” and “Rain Wizard” kept the audience clapping and singing along, but it was “Out of Pocket” from their latest album that truly resonated, showcasing a still heavy yet emotional side to the band. As Robertson introduced the song, he acknowledged the significance of ending the tour in London, an emotional note that only deepened the connection between the band and their fans.

The setlist was a carefully curated blend of old favourites and new material. “Blind Man” cranked the energy even higher, while “Like I Roll” turned Wembley into a dance party. “Stay,” typically an acoustic ballad, was given a full electric makeover, with soaring vocals and smoke effects enhancing its emotional impact. For longtime fans, “Things My Father Said” provided one of the night’s most poignant moments. Robertson performed it solo under dimmed lights as fans illuminated the arena with phone lights, creating a breathtakingly emotional atmosphere that brought tears to fans’ eyes.

As the set continued, the energy never waned. The crowd roared along to “In My Blood” and stomped to the thunderous rhythms of “When the Pain Comes.” A cover of The Cult’s “American Horse” brought a special touch, with Ayron Jones and Skillet’s John Cooper joining the stage for a high-octane multi-vocal session.

Black Stone Cherry ‘Screamin’ At The Sky’ Album Artwork

The triple-shot finale of “White Trash Millionaire,” “Lonely Train,” and “Blame It on the Boom Boom” was the epitome of southern rock swagger, as the entire arena was on its feet, headbanging and singing in unison. The band left the stage to deafening applause, only to return for an encore that began with Robertson thanking the crew, fans, and the late great Michelle Kerr. Closing with “Peace is Free,” a heartfelt dedication to Kerr, the band brought the evening to an emotional and uplifting conclusion.

Skillet set the fuse, and Black Stone Cherry blew Wembley sky-high. Both bands delivered stellar performances, proving their ability to connect with audiences on a visceral and emotional level. As the crowd spilled into the London night, one thing was certain: these two bands had left an indelible mark on their fans, and the anticipation for their return to UK shores, especially Black Stone Cherry’s July headlining set at Maid of Stone, is already palpable.

Black Stone Cherry Setlist:

1. Me and Mary Jane
2. Burnin’
3. Again
4. Out of Pocket
5. Rain Wizard
6. Blind Man
7. The Mess You Made
8. Like I Roll
9. Stay
10. Cheaper to Drink Alone
11. Things My Father Said
12. In My Blood
13. When the Pain Comes
14. American Horse (The Cult cover) (with Ayron Jones and John Cooper (Skillet))
15.White Trash Millionaire
16.Lonely Train
17.Blame It on the Boom Boom
18. Peace is Free