DENVER, CO | On a snowy, cold night in Denver, Alter Bridge brought down the house in the charming, somewhat decrepit confines of the Ogden Theatre. Sharing the bill on this leg of the Walk the Sky tour is Deepfall and Clint Lowery.
A sextet hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, hard rockers Deepfall (Rich Hopkins, Anthony Battista, Max Carrillo, Tim King, Nick Gray, and Taylor Brandt ) kicked off the night. Reviewing the band’s website and Facebook page, one gets the feeling the band, still relatively new, experienced some recent lineup changes. It’s notable that this was not reflected in their 30 minute performance as, up close, they appeared cohesive and very hard-working. The crowd offered their support, fist pumping as the band tore through its set, which included a cover of Journey’s “Separate Ways.”
Clint Lowery is best known as the lead guitarist of metal band Sevendust; he’s joined the Walk the Sky tour to promote God Bless the Renegades, his first solo album. Live, he’s impressive, physical, and intense as a solo performer. His songs, like “Kings,” which explores themes of redemption and empowerment, are introspective. His backing band (Ryan Bennett on drums, Pat Seals on bass, and Jon Jourdan on guitar) proved equally capable. Seals, in particular, possesses great stage presence; my attempts to photograph him airborne mostly failed.
I’m baffled by the fact that Alter Bridge play small venues in the US. Yes, as opposed to London’s O2 (where Alter Bridge Live at the O2 Arena was recorded in 2016), a smaller venue such as the Ogden Theatre provides unmatched intimacy. However, Alter Bridge are just too damned good to be slumming it with the rest of us in reaching distance. Make no mistake—I’m not complaining. I adore the golden throated Myles Kennedy; seeing him up close, along with beast Mark Tremonti, remains a huge thrill. Shooting this band from the pit is a fantastic experience and seeing them anywhere a delight.
After the first leg of the US tour late last summer, the band (Kennedy, Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips) took the show to Europe in the fall and are back in the States for round two. It appears they’ve been mixing up the set lists a bit on this leg, switching out songs here and there. However, the 16 selections still run the gamut of the band’s matured career and include the classic “Blackbird” alongside new favorites from Walk the Sky, such as “Wouldn’t You Rather,” “Godspeed,” and “Pay No Mind,” a personal favorite. As an aside, if “Indoctrination” ever ends up in the set, I’ll die.
A final word about the Ogden Theatre: the staff I encountered there were some of the nicest, most chill folks I’ve interacted with at any venue anywhere. From answering questions from fans before the band’s meet and greet to the guys in the pit, everyone was great. A terrific first time experience for me there as a photographer and as a fan. Thanks.
Alter Bridge wrap up this leg of the Walk the Sky tour on February 27 in Spokane, WA. Spring dates have just been announced! The next leg launches from Atlanta, GA on May 1, landing at the Rocklahoma Festival on May 24.
DEEPFALL
CLINT LOWERY
Deepfall Setlist
I’m Sick
Monster
Ghost
Separate Ways
Cancer
Wasted
Voice of the Broken
Clint Lowery Setlist
God Bless the Renegades
Here
Silver Lining
She’s Free
What’s the Matter
You Go First
Alive
Kings
Alter Bridge Setlist
Wouldn’t You Rather
Isolation
Come to Life
Pay No Mind
Ghosts of Days Gone By
Broken Wings
Native Son
Rise Today
Cry of Achilles
Forever Falling
In Loving Memory
Blackbird
Open Your Eyes
Metalingus
Encore
Godspeed
Addicted to Pain
