Halestorm
13th March 2019
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Doug Peters.
Fresh off the back of reportedly killer sets at Download, Halestorm were greeted with open arms last night by a hungry Auckland audience ready to bask in their hard rock splendour. Last here in 2017 for a double headliner with New Zealand’s own Devilskin, the continual metamorphous of lead vocalist Lzzy Hale saw the songstress sporting a far more punked-out look that spelled out rock n roll with a capital R.
Getting straight down to business with the anthemic ‘Black Vultures’ from their latest album ‘Vicious’ released last year, it was immediately evident just exactly what everyone had been talking about at Download. Halestorm were sounding not only tighter but bigger than ever. Having formed twenty-one years ago – when Lzzy was only thirteen – and barely ever off the tour circuit, Halestorm have continued to hone their skills to a razor-sharp edge.
Delving back into their earlier albums, fan favourites ‘Love Bites (So Do I)’ and ‘I Am the Fire’ soon had the crowd clamouring for more, their voices raised in unison; Lzzy encouraging them to hold their phones in the air, ‘Auckland! You are the fire!’ After this long a career, Halestorm are more than just old hands at how to get a crowd worked up, with many of the stock standard tricks such as constantly referring to the city you are in, call and response sing a longs and raising horns to the sky making an appearance. But rather than feeling false and clichéd, Halestorm instead create an atmosphere of inclusion, as if the venue is just one big house party and everyone has been invited. Their engagement with their audience so authentic that it has seen them build an army of dedicated fans across the world while nabbing a Grammy in the process.
Following a particularly impressive version of ‘Amen’ that saw Joe Hottinger rip loose with a lip-smacking solo, Lzzy flying her rebel flag high with her pull no punches lyrics, Halestorm dove back into their latest album, hitting the audience with three in a row that included ‘Tokyo’, a bonus track that is only available on the Japanese edition of Vicious.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Halestorm show without a drum solo, Lzzy’s younger brother and bandmate Arejay Hale, laying down his skills for all to see. Joined briefly by Devilskin’s drummer Nic Martin for a completely unrehearsed but highly entertaining dual drummer drum solo, Arejay finished his moment in the limelight off by brandishing his infamous oversized drumsticks. While bordering on the lines of a cheap gimmick, you have to admire both the tenacity and skill with which he wields them while never missing a beat.
Straight back into the new album again – a total of seven tracks being showcased tonight from the Pennsylvania natives – ‘Uncomfortable’ was dedicated by Halestorm to their ‘desert island’ friends, Devilskin, who they informed the audience were the ones that convinced them to come to New Zealand in the first place. It was a genuinely heartfelt acknowledgement from one group of artists to another, the moment sealed perfectly in time as Halestorm bassist Josh Smith jokingly flicked a guitar pic to Devilskin bassist Paul Martin who was leaning over the balcony, Martin catching it mid-air.
Before the final track of the set ‘Killing Ourselves to Live’ had even concluded the fans were screaming for an encore, Lzzy having the decency to not keep them waiting for long before she reappeared shrouded in the veil of a single soft spotlight standing alone at her piano. There has never been any doubt that Lzzy can sing, her voice over this last year or so particularly finding a new-found strength; but while she can howl with the best of them, it is her solo piano performances that really showcase her incredible range. Beginning with a brilliantly reimagined (partial) cover of the Judas Priest track ‘Living After Midnight’, Lzzy’s dramatic tempo change and emotional delivery provided the song with a whole new meaning. Halestorm no doubt looking forward to their support slot with one of the original old school masters of metal later this week.
Moving straight into ‘Dear Daughter’ which she dedicated to all the under eighteens in the audience, it was a moment to just sit back and truly appreciate her musical proficiency. Joined once again by the rest of the band, Lzzy unleashed a blood-curdling scream, reminding all that her fierce rock persona is always just lurking beneath the surface, Halestorm smashing out ‘I Miss the Misery’ with an extended outro that saw them invite members of both Devilskin and local support band Dead Favours to the stage for a celebratory drink. The more understated ‘end of the night, time to go home’ ballad of ‘Here’s to Us’ taking the evening out.
Halestorm may not be breaking any new ground in the world of rock but are genuinely a must see just for sheer work ethic and good old rock n roll entertainment value.
Were you there at the Powerstation for this super high energy rock gig? Or have you seen the Halestorm perform live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
*Lzzy Piano Hour = Living After Midnight [Judas Priest cover] + Dear Daughter
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Love Lzzy, When I hear “Do not Disturb” I need a smoke after that….