Saturday night was a rock n roll kind of night with the double bill lineup of Iowa-bred outfit Stone Sour and Pennsylvania-native’s Halestorm performing at Abbotsford Centre.

As I walked into the general admission floor area, I looked out and saw an eager crowd. They were primed and ready to get that mosh pit going.

Lzzy Hale and the rest of her band Halestorm filtered on to the stage under the cover of darkness. After a few pleasantries, the four-piece delved into their set with the debut of a brand new song called “Black Vultures”.

A mosh pit quickly ensued and slowly turned into a sloppy slam dance circle near the front of the stage.

The band has grown quite a lot in the last few years. Each member of the band had a commanding presence and Lzzy was a true front person and leader. She has this snarl that finds its way to her face from time to time and it just accentuates her high level of baddassery. Lzzy Hale is truly rock n roll incarnate.

The pulsing beats of Arejay Hale, the drummer, rang through the arena and I could feel them echoing against my chest.

At one point, Lzzy took the stage solo and performed “Dear Daughter” on a white grand piano. It was a wonderful moment that showcased just how powerful her vocals are.

Check out the fan-shot footage of this moment, followed by an Arejay drum solo.



I managed to make it to the middle of the mosh by the time the band rolled into “Freak Like Me”. Things got intense. I stayed in the pit until the end of the set. I left with a grin on my face and a lot of sweat on my clothes, most of which wasn’t even mine.

Halestorm setlist

Black Vultures (live debut)

Love Bites (So Do I)

It’s Not You

Mz. Hyde

Still of the Night (Whitesnake cover)

Amen

Unapologetic

Dear Daughter

Apocalyptic

I Am the Fire

I Get Off

Freak Like Me

Mayhem

I Miss the Misery

After a brief break, Stone Sour took over the night.

To say that Corey Taylor is an intense performer is an understatement; he is a madman. Once he picked up that microphone and started belting out those lyrics, he becomes possessed in the moment. His face and his body strain and contract and powerful vocals are wrenched from his being. It is a beautiful thing to witness.

Guitarist Josh Rand was unfortunately not in attendance at this show, or for the rest of the tour, as recently admitted himself to a treatment center. During the show, Corey addressed Josh not being there and asked for everyone “to keep him in [their] thoughts”.

The show rolled on with precision and power. Each musician on that stage showed off their unholy abilities to an adoring crowd.

I again managed to make it to the middle of the mosh pit. This, time things were more intense. A few of my moshing comrades actually went down and had to be carried out of the battle, I kept rocking in their memory.

By the end of the night I was tired and sweaty and filled with joy.

This was my first Stone Sour show and I hope it isn’t my last.

Those musicians put on an epic show and are deserving of the rabid fan base they have built.

Are the coming to your town soon? If so, get off your ass and go see them, you won’t regret it.

Thank you to both bands and the venue for having us out.

Stone Sour setlist

Taipei Person / Allah Tea

Knievel Has Landed

Made of Scars

Say You’ll Haunt Me

30/30-150

Hesitate

Tired

Rose Red Violent Blue (This Song Is Dumb & So Am I)

Do Me a Favor

Song #3

Through Glass

Absolute Zero

Fabuless

Photos of Stone Sour © Jamie Taylor // Cryptic Photography

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Stone Sour @ Abbotsford Centre - January 27th 2018

Photos of Halestorm © Jamie Taylor // Cryptic Photography