Alter Bridge
Download Festival
15/06/14
Oh I was excited for this one! 3rd time seeing Alter Bridge they still amaze me. I knew we were in for a treat at Download.
Being the slot after Steel Panther and before Aerosmith was always going to prove to be a daunting task for any band. If so for Alter Bridge, they did not show it. What an incredible performance they put on.
The stage was all set up, the crowd were buzzing and ready. Alter Bridge stormed on stage kicking things off with enormous sounding track ''Addicted To Pain''.
''White Knuckles'' followed the lead single from the last single album ''Fortress''. The crowd seemed more lively than they had been all day. Crowd surfers started coming over our heads.
''Come To Life'' and ''Cry Of Achilles'' followed. I really love how all of Alter Bridge's songs seem to be fan favourites, the audience just seems to go wild at every song. It's nice seeing everyone getting involved and singing these songs too. The guys in the band sure do deserve it.
''Ghost Of Days Gone By'' up next, this being one of my favourite songs I was pleased it had been kept in the setlist. Myles' vocals are insanely good. He was even crowd interacting more so than last time I saw them in 2013, making one side be quiet whilst the other screams and vice versa and got us to clap along.
''Waters Rising'' - this was quite a shock that it was even played. I saw it played live last year but never thought I'd hear it again at Download of all places! Marks vocals are very strong also, as is his guitar playing but that's a given!
''Isolation'' and ''Ties That Bind'' were the next songs to be played. Both these songs are in your face amazing rock songs, great riffs, great vocals, great basslines, great drums... they're just great.
During Ties That Bind, Myles noticed my flag (Welsh flag with Alter Bridge written on it). He smiled in our direction and Mark looked at him as if to say 'What are you laughing at?'', Myles nodded towards us leading Tremonti to look in our direction to see our flag too.
For me ''Metalingus'' was one of the songs that stole the whole day. The song is ten years old and I still never get tired of hearing it. Myles ran down to the crowd during this song. First he went down the left side and returned to stage and wasn't going to come to us however we waved him over, the nice guy that he is came down to us. I got to shake his hand as he walked down then on his way back he grabbed my hand again before heading back on stage. It was only a few seconds but them few seconds felt like a few minutes. I couldn't believe it. I shook hands with one of my idols.
From that incredible high, I went to being emotional in the space of one song. ''Blackbird '' and ''Watch Over You''. The solo in Blackbird is just, well I can't really describe it.
I can listen to ''Watch Over You'' anytime on the cd, but with Myles in front of us sat in the middle of the stage with his acoustic guitar singing beautifully with the crowd singing it back to him. I always get totally lost in the moment. The atmostphere, the lyrics, the voice it all seems to hit home. I felt myself tearing up.
The hour and a bit set finishes off with mega uplifting song Rise Today. What a way to leave Download 2014. The band gathered on stage and had their usual picture with the crowd after the gig.
Alter Bridge gigs are always energetic shows. The whole band gives nothing less than 110%. They clearly love and appreciate their fans. I think AB deserve that headline spot next time. I know for a fact they've got it coming their way, and when they finally get that headline spot it will have been well earned. All members are ridiculously talented and are often underrated, though it is nice to see them getting more recognition.
I for one can't wait to see them again.
(I circled me.. hardcore :))
Grumpy Gig Kat out for another day.
The rest of Download Festival 2014 recap coming soon.
Please check out my Myles Kennedy fan page (on facebook): Myles 'Miraculous' Kennedy
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