August kicked off at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater in Tampa, Florida on August 1, 2024 with a summer storm and the Summer 2024 co-headlining tour of Halestorm and I Prevail. Joining these two powerhouse bands on that Thursday evening were Hollywood Undead and Fit For A King to round out a very entertaining concert.
The storm front had passed before the gates were opened at the venue, but clouds and drizzling conditions continued throughout the evening. Without delay, at 6:00 pm the stage was set for the free-flying band of Fit For a King. Opening with “Keeping Secrets,” bassist Ryan “Tuck” O’Leary wasted no time getting airborne jumping off the stage risers for the first of many jumps. Ryan Kirby on unclean vocals growled gutturally from the beginning until the end. This band was well-received and appeared to just be having a great time as they performed their eight-song set.
Fit For A King Members:
Bobby Lynge – Guitars/Backing Vocals
Ryan Kirby – lead vocals/Unclean Vocals
Ryan “Tuck” O’Leary – Bass/Clean Vocals
Daniel Gailey – Guitars/Backing Vocals
Setlist:
1. Keeping Secrets
2. Breaking the Mirror
3. Falling Through the Sky
4. End (The Other Side)
5. Reaper
6. Technium
7. When Everything Means Nothing
8. God of Fire
After a twenty-minute break, the stage was ready at 6:55 pm to welcome Hollywood Undead, the rap rock band from Los Angeles, California. Smoke billowed across the stage concealing the drummer and other band members. This lasted for almost their complete set and at times was distracting.
The band lists six members, but with all the movement and trading place, it appeared there as a whole lot more folks on that stage. It was a perpetual whirlwind show of motion with each member having multiple roles in their stage show. Talk about entertainment, this group has multiple lead vocalists that swap multiple times within any given song. If you are not into the rap genre, that’s ok as it’s just a label, and the band crosses over genres and brings an extremely entertaining performance. Hollywood Undead’s show is extreme, even without donning the hockey masks the band used to wear, but that might have been cool too.
Hollywood Undead Members:
Jorel “J-Dog” Decker – Vocals/Guitars/Bass/Keyboards/Programming
Dylan “Funny Man” Alvarez/Vocals
George “Johnny 3 Tears” Ragan – Vocals/Bass
Jordon “Charlie Scene” Terrell – Vocals/Guitars
Danny Murillo – Vocals Keyboards/Programming/Guitars/Bass
Matt “The Cat” Oloffson – Drums/Percussion
Setlist:
1.California Dreaming
2. CHAOS
3. Riot
4. Everywhere I Go
5. Renegade
6. Comin’ in Hot
7. Another Way Out
8. Ruin My Life
9. Hear Me Now
10. Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond cover)
11. Bullet
12. Undead
Co-headliner, I Prevail presented a multi-level stage and dramatic lighting. They took the stage at 8:10 pm, just before dark and the audience welcomed them with a powerful cheer, it was time to get down to the business of seriously rocking out. The band’s first song “There’s Fear in Letting Go” started the set of 14 overall songs.
I Prevail supports two lead singers, Brian Burkheiser on clean vocals and Eric Vanlerberghe on unclean vocals with guttural growls giving the band a multidimensional sound. I Prevail was nominated for two Grammy awards in 2019 for Best Metal Performance and Best Rock Album. They have an ever-growing fan base and it was evident many in attendance were present just to see I Prevail and left right after their performance.
With a forward walkway on the front of the stage, it was evident that the two singers were the focus of the band. I Prevail is a good band with a great stage show.
I Prevail Members:
Brian Burkheiser – Clean Vocals
Eric Vanlerberghe – Unclean Vocals/Clean Vocals
Steve Menoian – Lead Guitar/Bass Guitar
Dylan Bowman – Rhythm Guitar/Backing Vocals
Gabe Helguera – Drums
Jon Eberhard – Bass/Keyboards
Setlist:
1.There’s Fear in Letting Go
2. Body Bag
3. Self-Destruction
4. Bad Things
5. Blank Space (Taylor Swift cover)
6. Deep End
7. Visceral
8. Breaking Down
9. FWYTYK
10. Judgement Day
11. Choke
12. Hurricane
13. Bow Down
14. Gasoline
After a brief intermission to change over the stage, Halestorm emerged at 9:40 pm. Lzzy Hale came to the microphone center stage, with her hand in the air displaying metal horns, ala Ronny James Dio, and proceeded to give a “Raise Your Horns” intro to the crowd. The audience was on their feet and displaying their horns in kind above their heads. Halestorm started the show with “I Miss the Misery,” which is a fan favorite and showcases Lzzy’s powerful vocals. The next song in the set was the 2012 Grammy award-winning song, “Love Bites (So Do I).” From there they went to play ten more songs in a 12-song set.
As eyes are on Lzzy Hale when Halestorm is on stage, her presence is both fierce and domineering. Her bother Arejay Hale is on the drums and is anything but out of the spotlight with multi-colored hair and drumstick-flipping without missing a beat. Joe Hottinger handles lead guitar and is always smiling and appearing to have the time of his life. Josh Smith, the least flamboyant of the band is steady on the base keeping the band and the music on track. All four members sing and have incredible backing harmonies.
By the beginning of the third song, Lzzy had discarded her jacket and got down to the business of rocking out. One of the highlights of the show and something unique to Halestorm is Arejays drum solo which he replaces his standard drumsticks with an oversized pair that looks about three feet long and two inches in diameter. How he plays a solo with those sticks is crazy cool!
Halestorm is a serious metal band and Lzzy Hale with her powerful vocals is one of the best front women in the rock world. Her performance is one you don’t want to miss.
Halestorm Members:
Lzzy Hale – Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar/Keyboards
Arejay Hale – Drums/Percussion/Backing Vocals
Joe Hottinger – Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals
Josh Smith – Bass, Keyboards/Backing Vocals
Setlist:
1.I Miss the Misery (With “Raise Your Horns” intro)
2. Love Bites (So Do I)
3. I Get Off (With “Crazy on You” by Heart interlude)
4. Freak Like Me
5. Black Vultures
6. Familiar Taste of Poison
7. Takes My Life
8. Drum Solo/Circle (Lzzy and Arjay’s dad brought out the big sticks)
9. Mz. Hyde
10. Psycho Crazy
11. Here’s to Us
12. The Steeple (With “I Miss the Misery” outro)
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Photographer and Editor/Founder of AllMusicMagazine.com. My love of live music has taken me to incredible experiences with the top bands of all time in stadium shows to the smallest venues with equally inspiring musicians. Using the medium of photography and my publication, these memories will last forever.
