All posts by Brittney Coon

ASU grad, works box office at Marquee Theatre, published author, screenwriter, filmmaker, concert addict, roadie wannabe, road trips, photography, graphic designer, always randomly mentions the show Friends in conversation, cat lover

Concerts, Reviews

REVIEW: Summer School Tour Rocks the Marquee: A Lesson in Live Music (7-27-25)

August 1, 2025 Brittney Coon Leave a comment

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Tempe, Ariz. — With triple-digit temps blazing outside, the best way to beat the Arizona heat is inside a venue blasting air conditioning and even louder music. The “Idobi Radio Summer School Tour,” proudly sponsored by Hot Topic, brought the heat in a different way on Sunday, July 27, at the Marquee Theatre. Doors opened early at 6 p.m. to make room for a stacked lineup featuring Rain City Drive, Charlotte Sands, Taylor Acorn, Beauty School Dropout , Arrows in Action, If Not For Me, and Huddy. As the tour continues its westbound run through mid-August, this Tempe stop felt like the perfect send-off to summer—one last electrifying night before the school year kicks in.

HUDDY Kicks Off the Night with Pop-Punk Energy

Huddy started the night with a burst of energy that set the tone for the rest of the show. Best known for his viral fame on TikTok and his role in co-founding the Hype House, Huddy (formerly LilHuddy) has steadily transitioned from influencer to full-fledged pop-punk performer. Far from just a social media personality, his set proved he’s serious about music.

Backed by a tight band and moody visuals, he ripped through a six-song set that included fan favorites like “Vendetta,” “All the Things I Hate About You,” and “The Eulogy of You and Me.” Tracks like “Partycrasher” and “Cyanide” kept the crowd moving, while “Fragile” offered a more emotional moment. Whether you knew him from the For You Page feed or not, by the end of his set, Huddy had everyone ready for more.

IF NOT FOR ME Delivers a Metalcore Gut Punch

If Not For Me took the stage next and wasted no time unleashing their signature brand of high-intensity metalcore. Hailing from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the four-piece—Patrick Glover (vocalist), Hayden Calhoun (guitarist), Zac Allen (bassist), and Cody Frain (drummer)—brought raw power, tight musicianship, and undeniable stage presence.

Known for blending punishing breakdowns with catchy, anthemic choruses, they delivered an explosive set that turned casual listeners into instant fans. The band tore through six crushing tracks: “Demons,” “No Thanks to You,” “Alone,” “Say It to My Face,” “Blameless,” and “Feel Me Now.” Each song hit harder than the last, and by the end of their set, the crowd was alive and fully locked in.

ARROWS IN ACTION Keep the Good Vibes Flowing

Arrows in Action brought a vibrant shift in tone, blending feel-good alt-pop with emotional punch. Since forming at the University of Florida in 2017, the trio—Victor Viramontes-Pattison (vocalist/guitarist), Matthew Fowler (guitarist), and Jesse Frimmel (drummer)—has built a loyal following thanks to their infectious melodies and heart-on-sleeve lyricism. Though guitarist Fowler was absent in Tempe due to illness, frontman Viramontes-Pattison reassured the crowd with a smirk, “He’s sick in the hotel, not dead,” earning laughs and cheers.

Despite the lineup change, the band didn’t miss a beat. A beach ball bounced across the crowd as they played through a sunny yet emotionally rich set featuring “Feel It Again,” “Light Like You,” “Cheekbones,” and “Wide Eyes.” Tracks like “Empty Canvas” and “All The Ways I Could Die” showcased the band’s deeper side, while “Uncomfortably Numb” closed the set on a high. With or without a full lineup, Arrows in Action proved they know how to connect and keep the good vibes going.

The band will end their jam-packed year at the 2025 Vans Warped Tour in Orlando, Florida on November 15th. For more information on upcoming tour dates and to purchase tickets, visit the band’s website HERE.

BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT Mixes Chaos with Charm

Beauty School Dropout hit the stage with a kind of swagger. Formed in 2020 in Los Angeles, the trio—Cole “Colie” Hutzler (vocalist), Brent “Beepus” Burdett (bassist), and Bardo Novotny (guitarist/producer)—has been making waves ever since their early days. Backed by a heavy-hitting sound and an unfiltered attitude, their live set was a chaotic good time. “If you like mosh pits. If you like crowd surfing…” Hutzler teased the crowd with a grin, before laughing, “I see some scared faces.”

It was one of the most family-friendly pits of the night in the best way. Kids on their parents’ shoulders, outfitted in headphones, rocked out right alongside the longtime fans. The band’s setlist included high-energy bangers like “Fever,” “SEX APPEAL,” “FIGHT MODE,” and “A$$A$$IN,” with crowd favorites like “On Your Lips” and “WE MADE PLANS & GOD LAUGHED” keeping the energy alive. As the band exited the stage, the speakers cheekily played “Beauty School Dropout” from the film Grease, bringing their performance full circle.

TAYLOR ACORN Ignites the Crowd with Raw Emotion

Taylor Acorn lit up the stage with a firecracker set that had the crowd—especially the girls up front—jumping, screaming, and singing along to every word. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter has quickly become a standout in the pop-punk revival scene, thanks to her powerhouse vocals, emotionally raw lyrics, and a sound that hits somewhere between nostalgic and freshly fierce.

Known for viral hits like her 2022 breakout single “Psycho” (which has racked up over 11 million Spotify streams), Acorn brought a personal, heartfelt energy to the stage that clearly resonated with fans. The stage visuals added an extra layer of charm, two large video boards flashed her name with butterflies fluttering around, and skeleton hands throwing peace signs, hearts, and “I love you” signs punctuated her set with punk-rock flair. She shared that while she’s played in Arizona before, this was her first time performing in Tempe, and she “loved the city.” The love was mutual.

One of the night’s most anticipated moments came when Charlotte Sands joined her onstage for their collaborative track “Final Nail,” which the two originally recorded together—bringing their studio chemistry to life in a striking live duet.

Her set included fan favorites like “Hell of a Show,” “I Think I’m in Love,” and “Goodbye, Good Riddance,” along with deeper emotional cuts like “Burning House” and “Shapeshifting.” Acorn closed with “Psycho,” sending the crowd into one final singalong frenzy.

CHARLOTTE SANDS Turns Vulnerability into Power

Charlotte Sands took the stage with a burst of bold energy—and her signature electric blue hair—to deliver one of the most emotionally charged sets of the night. Best known for her breakout 2020 single “Dress,” which went viral on TikTok, Sands has quickly carved out a space in the alt-pop/rock scene with her powerhouse vocals and deeply personal songwriting.

Her setlist hit hard from the start with “Tantrum” and “Bad Day,” and the energy never dipped. Songs like “pity,” “use me,” and “spite” showcased her ability to shift from vulnerable to defiant in a single breath.

Before performing “Alright,” Sands shared that she wrote the track during the COVID lockdown, when the world felt isolated and live music felt impossibly far away. She paused to reflect on how good it felt to be back in a room together again, then asked the crowd to light up the venue with their phone flashlights—a moment that turned intimate and unforgettable.

She closed her set with fan-favorite “Dress” and the haunting “Hush,” leaving the crowd glowing, both literally and emotionally.

RAIN CITY DRIVE Brings It Home with Anthemic Intensity

Rain City Drive closed out the night with a high-octane set that blended post-hardcore grit with anthemic rock melodies. Originally known as Slaves, the band has reinvented itself under a new name—inspired by Manchester, England, the “rainy city” where the five members first connected. Now fronted by The Voice runner-up Matt McAndrew, Rain City Drive has found a powerful new identity, releasing their self-titled album in 2022 on Thriller Records.

From the jump, the band commanded the room with “Lose My Composure” and “Over Me,” driving home why they’ve become a standout in the modern alt-rock scene. McAndrew’s vocals soared, and his playful banter kept the vibe loose: “If the crowd gets quiet,” he teased, “we’ll leave the stage.” No chance of that happening. The audience stayed loud through punchy performances of “Concrete Closure,” “Frozen,” and fan-favorite “Ride or Die,” which McAndrew shouted out as the band’s personal favorite.

Before launching into “Blood Runs Cold,” he rallied the room: “Let me hear you, Tempe. Make some noise, let’s pick it up!” They wrapped the night with the emotional “Talk to a Friend” and the hard-hitting “Medicate Me,” sending fans home sweaty, smiling, and fully satisfied.

Summer School Tour Leaves Tempe Fans Wanting More

As the final notes rang out and the house lights came up, one thing was clear; the “Idobi Radio Summer School Tour” delivered exactly what fans came for—high-energy sets, genre-spanning sounds, and a sense of connection that live music does best. From Huddy’s pop-punk punch to Rain City Drive’s emotionally charged closer, each artist brought something unique to the stage, creating a night that felt like both a celebration and a farewell to summer. This tour reminded everyone why we show up early, stay late, and scream every word. If the rest of the tour is anything like Tempe, then “Summer School” is a night that deserves a full house.

Photo Galleries

Photographer: Mark Greenawalt

View separate albums for additional photos:
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Rain City Drive

Charlotte Sands

Taylor Acorn

Beauty School Dropout

Arrows in Action

If Not For Me

Huddy

IDOBI Summer School Tour – Marquee Theatre 7-27-25

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Photography © Mark Greenawalt.
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Concerts, Photo Galleries, Reviews

REVIEW: Halestorm and I Prevail Bring High-Octane Performances to Arizona Financial Theatre (8-16-24)

August 21, 2024 Brittney Coon 1 Comment

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PHOENIX — Halestorm and I Prevail brought their co-headlining tour to Arizona Financial Theatre last Friday night, delivering a night of unforgettable performances. With Halestorm taking the final slot this evening, the packed crowd was treated to a high-energy show. Hollywood Undead and Fit for a King added their own powerful sets to the lineup, making the night a standout for rock and metal fans.

Fit for a King

The mindblowing evening started with the American metalcore band from Tyler, Texas, Fit for a King (FFAK). The band members—Ryan Kirby (vocals), Bobby Lynge and Daniel Gailey (guitars), Ryan “Tuck” O’Leary (bass), and Trey Celaya (drums)—have been melting faces since 2007. They played a blistering eight-song set that fired up the crowd, even igniting a circle pit among the general admission audience in front of the stage.

Hollywood Undead

Up next was the American rap rock band, Hollywood Undead, formed in 2005 in sunny Los Angeles, California. The current lineup includes Jorel “J-Dog” Decker (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Dylan “Funny Man” Alvarez (vocals), George “Johnny 3 Tears” Ragan (vocals, bass), Jordon “Charlie Scene” Terrell (vocals, guitar), Danny Murillo (vocals, keyboards, guitar), and finally, Matt “The Cat” Oloffson (drums).

They recreated the “Cali” vibe with four light-up palm trees on stage, two trash fire barrels, and a cardboard sign hanging from the keyboard with “Hotel Kalifornia” handwritten on it. Hotel Kalifornia is their most recent album, released in August of 2022.

Hollywood Undead’s twelve-song set kicked off with “California Dreaming,” and by the third song, the fully-engaged crowd headbanged to “Riot” with contagious energy spreading like wildfire. The band threw beach balls into the crowd, which bounced above the audience as they rocked out. Right before starting the song, “Comin’ In Hot,” they brought up an eleven-year-old girl from the audience to jam on stage with them. Concertgoers sang and danced along to their cover of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” and Hollywood Undead wrapped up their set with “Bullet” and “Undead.”

I Prevail

The third band to take the stage was I Prevail, a rock band from Southfield, Michigan. The current band members are Brian Burkheiser (clean vocals), Eric Vanlerberghe (unclean and clean vocals), Steve Menoian (lead guitar), Dylan Bowman (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Gabe Helguera (drums), and Jon Eberhard (bass, keyboards).

They rose in popularity in 2013 after releasing a metal cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” on YouTube. Since then, they have released three studio albums, with their single “Bow Down” earning a Grammy nomination for “Best Metal Performance” in 2019, and their album Trauma receiving one for “Best Rock Album” that same year.

When they took the stage, the venue shook—like literally shook. It made eardrums buzz, hearts race, and it knocked old confetti from past concerts down from the rafters to gently fall onto the crowd below.

I Prevail started with a video of an anonymous speaker talking about fear before starting “There’s Fear in Letting Go.” Vanlerberghe told the crowd that it’s been ten years since the band dropped their cover of Swift’s song, and they hate singing it, but they added it to the setlist for the fans. Everyone cheered and threw up their horns.

Before playing “Breaking Down,” Vanlerberghe got personal with the audience, talking about how he is doing well in therapy and to talk to someone if you need to. That mental health is important. I Prevail gave the crowd everything they had, just as they promised.

Halestorm

Wrapping up the heavy metal night was Halestorm, the American rock band from Red Lion, Pennsylvania, formed in 1997 by lead vocalist and guitarist Lzzy Hale and her brother, drummer Arejay Hale. Other members include Joe Hottinger as guitarist and Josh Smith as bassist.

Grammy-Award winning Halestorm introduced their set with Lzzy singing an a capella “Raise Your Horns” before launching into “I Miss the Misery.” She shows no reserve for showcasing her unparalleled vocals, with an almost-menacing, growling belt prominently featured from start to finish. She figuratively blew the roof off the venue, jaws dropping, during the “I Get Off” interlude of Heart’s “Crazy On You.”

Lzzy addressed the crowd: “It’s for all the letters that you’ve given me, all of the love online, you guys just standing out here singing every word. I can’t believe it, man, I can’t believe it. It blows my mind. So, this one is for all of you tonight, this is called, ‘Familiar Taste of Poison’”. They played the long-beloved song from their first album, self-titled Halestorm.

Also in support of mental health, Halestorm has teamed up with the mental health organization Sound Mind Live to encourage fans to pledge their support, helping to fund free mental health programs that will be available to communities across the country.

The band members’ percussive skills were on display as they played a taiko-style mid-set drum ensemble. Lzzy’s in-your-face stage presence admirably dominated throughout the night, and she delighted with moves such as a backbend contorting her body down to the floor as she shredded on her guitar.

Vanlerberghe rejoined the stage to sing the duet of “can u see me in the dark?” with Lzzy. Halestorm wrapped up the night with “Mz. Hyde” and “The Steeple.” Fans were left with ringing ears and giant smiles as all departed the venue into the blazing Phoenix night.

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Photo Galleries

Photographer: Katherine Amy Vega

View Separately:
Halestorm | I Prevail | Hollywood Undead | Fit for a King

Halestorm, I Prevail, Hollywood Undead, & Fit for a King – Arizona Financial Theatre 8-16-24

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Photography © Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design
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Concerts, Kataklizmic Design, Photo Galleries, Reviews

REVIEW: Nickelback Ignites Footprint Center with Brantley Gilbert & Josh Ross (7-12-23)

July 14, 2023 Brittney Coon Leave a comment

PHOENIX – The “Get Rollin’ Tour” made a tour stop in Arizona last Wednesday night, featuring Nickelback, Brantley Gilbert, and Josh Ross. The music was a mix of country and rock, and fans of all ages came ready to party. The show was held at Footprint Center, which serves as home to the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and the Rattlers. The arena has had many names since opening in 1996. A few previous names that may sound familiar are Talking Stick Resort Arena, US Airways Center, and America West Arena. It was once the home of the Phoenix Coyotes in the late ’90s. It’s also the venue for various events such as professional wrestling, Disney on Ice, and concerts.

Josh Ross

Josh Ross is a Canadian country singer, and he opened the show and warmed up the crowd with his eight-song setlist. His cover of “Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls had everyone singing along, with their phones’ flashlights waving in the air.

Brantley Gilbert

Brantley Gilbert is a country rock singer from Georgia, and he knows how to put on a show with flair. He opened with “Kick It In The Sticks,” and he brought the heat – pyro and fog continuously blasted on stage.

“We live in a world where we can’t punch anyone in the face anymore. I went to my social media, but I forgot my passwords. So, I decided to write the trolls a song instead,” Gilbert said before playing “Bury Me Upside Down” from the album So Help Me God.

Before singing “Son of the Dirty South,” Gilbert explained how he wrote the song with Jelly Roll, and that they both take pride in being boys from the South. He aimed to transform Phoenix into the dirty South for a few moments – a vision readily embraced by the enthusiastic crowd.

Gilbert played seventeen songs in total, including five covers. The audience cheered and sang along with every song. His energetic performance and ability to connect with the audience were amazing. His voice is a perfect blend of rock-infused country music, and fans loved his raw and authentic stage performance.

Nickelback

The Canadian rock band Nickelback formed in 1995 and is still going strong, despite anything their haters might say. Chad Kroeger is the band’s lead vocalist, Ryan Peake is their rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist, Daniel Adair is the drummer, and Mike Kroeger is the bass guitarist. The tour is supporting their seventh and newest album, Get Rollin’, which was released in September 2022.

Before the band steps on stage, a yellow CGI van with a red stripe appears on the big screen. It’s the symbol of their current tour. Then posters of each band member flash on the big screen with the words “Wanted Dead or Alive.” The crowd is on their feet and screaming when the video ends, and the CGI van turns onto an exit, and the highway signs read, “Phoenix, 12 parsecs.”

The first song is “San Quentin” from their newest album, and the audience is ready to rock out. After the song, Chad Kroeger addresses the crowd, asking, “Let’s see if you remember the words to this one.” They begin to play “Savin’ Me” from their album All The Right Reasons.

The yellow CGI van returns to the screen, racing down a dark road before they play “Animals.” A guitar riff fills the air as a fiery phoenix lands on the CGI van and transforms it into a sexy muscle car. Blasts of pyro pop, and screams are heard all around the arena in excitement. As the song concludes, Chad Kroeger thanks the audience for their energy and excitement. He says, “It’s crowds like you that make me want to do this for the rest of my fucking life. Cheers.” He then drinks a shot with the crowd and adds, “It’s an honor and a fucking privilege to play for you.“

“I’m going to play a song that would probably get us canceled today. But then again, they’ve been trying to cancel us for twenty years,” Chad Kroeger jokes, and they play “Figured You Out” from their album The Long Road.

Nickelback covers Steve Earle’s “Copperhead Road,” and to surprise the audience, Gilbert and Ross return to the stage to sing along. The crowd eats it up, and the dark arena fills with phones filming the three singing and jamming together.

After playing “High Time,” Chad Kroeger chuckles and says, “We snuck a new one in on you. Has anyone heard it?” The fans respond with cheers, affirming their familiarity with the song. Proving after twenty-eight years that their loyal following still listens to and loves them.

Chad Kroeger picks a lucky lady from the audience to come up and sing a fan favorite, “Rockstar.” The woman is starstruck as she is welcomed to the stage and handed a mic. But she soon gets into the song, sings a bit, and dances as the band plays around her.

When playing “Those Days,” movies, TV shows, bands, and MTV logos from the ’80s appear on the big screen as the band reflects on the simpler times of growing up.

Chad Kroeger smiles at the crowd and says, “You’ve got my vote for the best crowd on tour. Phoenix is fucking amazing.” Just before singing “How You Remind Me” from their album Silver Side Up.

The band thanks the crowd and steps off stage for a few minutes while the crowd cheers and cries for an encore. Nickelback returns to applause and cheers before playing “Gotta Be Somebody” from their album Dark Horse.

Chad Kroeger speaks to the crowd a final time, saying, “I’m going to be honest with you, as I normally am, incredibly honest to a fault. Earlier today, we did an interview with somebody from a foreign country, and they just started asking us all these shitty fucking questions, and it absolutely ruined my fucking day until I got on this stage, and I heard you.” He pauses as fans cheer and fists shoot up into the air. He continues, “And you turned it all around. I want to thank you from the bottom of my fucking heart, Phoenix. Thank you. I want to take you with me to every fucking city so you can give lessons on how a rock ‘n roll crowd is supposed to behave. I’m in such a good fucking mood right now. Phoenix! Let’s have some fun!” They wrap up the night with tons of pyro and the powerful song, “Burn It to the Ground.”

The “Get Rollin’ Tour” was fiery and left the audience with memories they’ll treasure for a long time. This tour is the perfect blend of country and rock and should not be missed.

Photo Gallery

Photography: Kara Blakemore

Nickelback & Brantley Gilbert – Footprint Center 7-12-23

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Photography © Electric Eye Photo AZ
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Concerts, Kataklizmic Design, Photo Galleries, Reviews

REVIEW: Apocalyptica & Lacuna Coil Make Phoenix Rise at The Van Buren (4-15-22)

April 19, 2022 Brittney Coon Leave a comment

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PHOENIX — Apocalyptica finally brought their Cell-0 Tour to The Van Buren after being postponed for almost two years. Originally, they were scheduled, with the support from Lacuna Coil, for May 10^th, 2020, but due to the pandemic it was pushed to April 2022. Having been released in 2020, this is the first time songs from the Cell-0 album were performed by them live in Phoenix. Most know The Van Buren as a standing-room only venue, but this show was seated to allow guests to close their eyes and lose themselves in the music.

Lacuna Coil

Lacuna Coil kicked off their set with the song “Blood, Tears, Dust” from their 2016 album Delirium. Vocalist Cristina Scabbia addressed the crowd before the following song, saying, “Phoenix, are you out there?” and the crowd roared back.

They did not disappoint fans, playing a song from nearly every album, and five from their newest one released in 2019: Black Anima. Known as a gothic metal band, it’s clear they lean into that image with bassist Marco Coti Zelati, guitarist Diego “Didi” Cavalotti, and drummer Richard Meiz all wearing black and white face paint. Meanwhile, vocalists Scabbia and Andrea Ferro were dressed in all black with the band’s logo on top of their sleeves and fake blood painted on their hands.

“Phoenix, Arizona, how are you guys doing tonight? It’s been forever and it feels great to be back in this beautiful place with you guys celebrating this comeback after twenty-six fucking months. I’m telling you; it still feels very surreal to be back, but we have all the energy of the world to share with you guys tonight. Are you ready to party with us? I think it’s time to be reckless!” Scabbia shouted before they played “Reckless” from Black Anima.

“Are you having a good time so far?” Scabbia asked, pausing as the crowd cheers. “Good, because this is exactly what we’re here for. Well, I don’t know if each one of you is familiar with Lacuna Coil, but you might remember this next song, it’s called ‘Heaven’s A Lie’.” Many in the crowd stood to film and sing along with “Heaven’s A Lie”, a throwback from their 2002 album, Comalies.

“This goes out to all of us for surviving this damn pandemic! Just wanna save me!” Scabbia screamed as the intro to “Save Me” began. Later on, she said, “We came all the way from Italy to raise our truth!” as the band started the song, “Our Truth.”

Lacuna Coil concluded their ten-song set with “Nothing Stands in Our Way”. Most of the crowd stood for their entire set, singing and raising their horns in the air.

Apocalyptica

Over black, nature music swelled in the background before the sounds of strings drifted over the audience. Then, drums shook each person to their core as the lights went up, highlighting that Apocalyptica had now joined the stage. After opening with “Ashes of the Modern World”, cellist Eicca Toppinen paused to address the excited crowd, “Good evening, Phoenix. How are you guys doing tonight? It sounds like you’re already having a good time. Are you ready?” He paused to hear the audience’s fervent response, and with enthusiasm, he added, “Come on! Are you ready?” The crowd screamed back, ready for more.

Their first three songs were all instrumental as Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso shredded their cellos and Mikko Sirén rocked on the drums. “Thank you!” Toppinen replied to the roaring audience. He continued, “Do you guys happen to know any of our vocal tracks? Are you ready to sing with us? Let’s welcome to the stage, Franky Perez!” Perez ran on stage, mic in hand, and sang, “I’m Not Jesus” from their 2007 album, Worlds Collide.

Toppinen leaned on his cello as he addressed the audience again: “Hello, Arizona. Actually, just before this tour, January 2020, we released a new album called Cell-0. Anyone here heard of it?” He shielded his eyes, looking over the cheering hands in the air. “Good for you,” he jokes. “Just makes me wonder what the fuck is wrong with the others. But don’t worry, we will give you a dose now because we’re going to play a few of those instrumentals. Let’s start with the ballad, it’s a song about hope: ‘Rise’.”

“I actually have to say at this point, that how incredibly amazing it is to be here tonight. After waiting over two years and all you people coming still to have fun with us. It’s beautiful.” Toppinen then motioned to the side of the stage and said, “Let’s get the maestro himself back on stage, Franky Perez!” Toppinen and Perez then side hugged.

“As many of you might know we made a full album with Franky in 2015, the Shadowmaker, and toured for two to three years but after that, we went into this 20^th anniversary Metallica thing so it’s really cool that Franky reached out to us. I thought this would be perfect for us to be together,” Toppinen concluded as their newest single “I’ll Get Through It” (released March 17, 2022) began.

The song whisked people away. Couples cuddled closer in their seats. In the front row, a man drummed the beat onto his wife’s back as her gaze was glued to the stage, and she mouthed along with the words. People all around were caught in the moment, truly feeling the music in their hearts, in their bones. Being in the middle of the audience you can understand why this Finnish symphonic metal band from Helsinki has been killing it since 1993.

Franky smiled, saying, “You guys are going to do this a bunch of times tonight but I want to join you, please join me in giving this amazing band a round of applause tonight.” A sea of clapping hands and cheers filled the venue. “So, my name is Franky Perez and I’m from Las Vegas, Nevada. When you think about people from Vegas and people from Arizona, we understand each other. We see each other on the street and we just know… it’s the dry heat.” It’s funny ‘cause it’s true. “This song is called ‘Shadowmaker’,” Franky finished, as the cellos and drums shifted into the song’s intro.

The crowd banged their heads along with Toppinen and Kivilaakso as their bows cut into their strings and their long hair flew. At times, they raise their cellos in the air. The energy was alive, the music was alive. Toppinen grabbed the mic, shouting, “Come on Arizona. Sing if you know it!” as they played a cover of Metallica’s “Seek & Destroy.”

After playing fifteen amazing songs, Toppinen asked, “What do you think, should we play one more song? Do you want to hear one more? Good. That’s very nice because I really think we should play you one more song. As you know from our background, we are classical bastards so I think it’s fair to play one classical for you tonight. During all the times Apocalyptica actually only recorded one so far but it makes sense to stay on our socials because you never know what’s going to happen next. But now, a classic from black metal.” They concluded the show by playing the Edvard Grieg song, “In the Hall of the Mountain King”.

As the music faded out, Apocalyptica was given a standing ovation. A cheerful Lötjönen handed two eager fans their paper setlists, and Toppinen addressed the audience one final time: “Thank you, Phoenix. Thank you so much. Thank you everybody for coming and taking your time to come tonight. I also want to thank our Italian friends, the great first band tonight. Let’s give a big hand for Lacuna Coil. Have a good evening. On your way out, pick up a new t-shirt because you smell like shit. I don’t know, maybe it’s us.” The crowd laughed, and Toppinen chuckled before getting serious, “Honestly, take care of yourselves, take care of each other. Love each other and love yourselves. See you guys all soon. Because Apocalyptica will be back and that’s for fucking sure!”

And with that promise, Apocalyptica exited stage right as their fans screamed. What an epic concert for metal fans! It was definitely an unforgettable show for everyone who was lucky enough to bear witness.

Photo Galleries

Photographer: Katherine Amy Vega

View Separately (with more pics!):

Apocalyptica | Lacuna Coil

Apocalyptica & Lacuna Coil – The Van Buren 4-15-22

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Photography © Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design
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Staff Picks

February STAFF PICK: Riddles, Ruins & Revelations by Sirenia

February 14, 2021 Brittney Coon Leave a comment

Symphonic metal institution SIRENIA are renewed in darkness on their tenth studio album, Riddles, Ruins & Revelations, released on February 12 via Napalm Records. The quartet around mastermind, bandleader, multi-instrumentalist, composer, songwriter and producer Morten Veland is certainly not afraid of combining a heavy symphonic sound with modern influences, which their latest record, Arcane Astral Aeons (2018) is proof of. This time, SIRENIA offer an exciting new twist to their songs, spicing them with electronic vibes, but never losing sight of their musical core.

The four-piece remains as true to their album title word-play as they do to their dedication to symphonic soundscapes, drawing the listener into a pounding narrative about the darkest aspects of life. All eleven songs accumulate step by step to an integral sound artwork, where the versatile mezzo soprano voice of singer Emmanuelle Zoldan always shines in high-profile.

In addition, there are many enchanting, instrumental surprises lurking on the way that absolutely need to be discovered: With the opening “Addiction No. 1” the formation mainly based in Norway delivers an immense and catchy tune that will have fans of bands like Beyond The Black and Amaranthe falling in love immediately. “We Come To Ruins” offers a contrast of harshness and skillfully portrays the multi-faceted nature of SIRENIA. With “Downwards Spiral”, Emmanuelle is supported by the remarkable voice of longtime friend Joakim Næss on clean vocals, who has joined the band on previous releases. The band’s tenth full-length ends with a cover of Desireless` 1986 hit “Voyage Voyage”, where the band again impressively combines symphonic sounds with electronic atmosphere, which doesn’t count only for this final epos, but for Riddles, Ruins & Revelations as a whole.

Most parts of Riddles, Ruins & Revelations were recorded at Audio Avenue Studios in Stavanger, Norway, and mixed and mastered entirely by Morten Veland himself.

Sirenia “Riddles, Ruins & Revelations” album artwork

Chosen by:

Brittney Coon

Music Journalist

Sirenia Online

Website | Facebook | Instagram |
Twitter | Spotify

Staff Picks

May STAFF PICK: Mother by In This Moment

April 30, 2020 Brittney Coon Leave a comment

In This Moment
| Photographer: Jeremy Saffer

Artist, Album

In This Moment, Mother

Mother follows 2017’s beloved Ritual. Excitement for this record burns at a fevered pitch, as In This Moment landed on several “Most Anticipated” lists, including Alternative Press, Loudwire, and Revolver.

(Burning Hot Events earns from qualifying purchases.)

Chosen by:

Brittney Coon

Music Journalist

During this COVID-19 pandemic, everyone needs the work of artists to cope, and independent artists need your help to survive and keep making art. Please consider donating extra today to our hard work at Burning Hot Events or making a purchase from our brand new merch store!

Watch The Video for The New Song “The In-Between”

In This Moment Online

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Kataklizmic Design, Media, Music Videos, Reviews, Videos

REVIEW: Arshenic’s Brooding “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” Music Video

April 26, 2020 Brittney Coon Leave a comment

Arshenic’s new single and music video for “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” was released on April 12^th and can be enjoyed on any listening format. It is a beautifully haunting cover of the classic Lead Belly song. Arshenic is a melodic metal band from Poland, formed in 2007 by the vocalist and songwriter, Oliwia “Ofilia” Bartuś-Staszak. The other current members of the band include electric guitarist Włodzimierz “Vlad” Czuba and drummer Bartosz Staszak.

The name of the band is a reference to arsenic, which is generally thought of as a poison, however it can also be a cure. The duality between the strong female vocals, both singing and screaming, matched with clean and distorted guitars, powerful bass, and zestful drums, with a pinch of cellos, electronics, and orchestral sounds rounding out the background can be heard throughout the group’s catalogue of songs.

The music was produced by Dawid Gorgolewski, Studio Osso. The music video’s script was written by Ofilia, and Creo Official was the video producer.

As the video begins, the camera focuses on the coastline near a wooded cliff. It briefly transitions to Ofilia facing the camera wearing a gas mask — a perfect reference to the meaning of the band name — while cradling a black and white cat in her arms.

Returning to the coastline, the camera follows Ofilia as she sings and walks along an empty coastline wearing a black dress, a crystal necklace, a belt with three pentagrams, skeleton tights, and black combat boots as waves crash near her feet. The instruments, her voice, and the beach give the video a nostalgic vibe. Interspersed slow-motion footage of her footsteps lends itself to an ominous atmosphere in the video, paired with the brooding tone of the song.

**Włodzimierz “Vlad” Czuba (Guitars), Arshenic**

The instrumentalists are slowly revealed during the music’s buildup. Closeups zoom in on black-gloved hands sliding on the guitar with a skeleton head on the frets. The drummer plays while wearing a white gas mask with the eyes covered in black Xs. The electric guitarist wears a black mask with silver studs covering all but his eyes with a backward baseball cap on his head. The band members wearing masks stare deadpan at the camera.

As the melody sways, Ofilia walks down a dirt path in the woods wearing another gas mask, the hood of her black dress up, with scenes cutting between the woods and the beach. The transitions of water breaking over the sand and clips of rocks with the soft music are soothing.

As the song explodes, Oflilia walks through a graffiti-covered hallway of an abandoned building. These clips are entangled with footage of a forbidden romance, lit by a red-hued light.

The scenes cut back and forth with fluidity. The musicians flicker with high-speed cuts as they play with intensity — a duality of pacing between this point and the beginning, matching the vocals and instrumentals. The video concludes as it began, pulling away from the deserted coastline.

Many elements of this video can certainly speak to viewers that are currently practicing social distancing during the pandemic. Whether that was the intention or not, the video is an emotionally evocative, powerful watch that rolls out slowly and leaves the viewer impacted.

Arshenic’s latest album, Final Collison, released by Sliptrick Records, came out in August of 2019. With their new single out now, hopefully, there’s a new album coming out sometime in 2020. Until then, “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” will be playing on repeat.

Fans can find out more information about upcoming shows and announcements through the band’s website, Instagram, and Facebook page.

Arshenic Online

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Bands & Musicians, Emails, Interviews, Kataklizmic Design

INTERVIEW: My Immortal Enemy Singer Discusses Impending Debut Album — ‘Akuma’

December 1, 2019 Brittney Coon Leave a comment

Rock and punk fans should keep an ear out for the band My Immortal Enemy, especially if some of your favorite bands include Beartooth, Avenged Sevenfold, My Chemical Romance, and AFI. Steven Juliano is their vocalist, Joel Chandler is bassist, Ryan Loomis is on drums, and Ryan Heggum is the guitarist.

My Immortal Enemy
Photography: Cats Eye View Photography

If Juliano’s name sounds familiar, then perhaps you’ve heard of the band I Am Ghost from Epitaph records. Juliano is hitting the ground running with My Immortal Enemy, and their new duet album Akuma, featuring 12 head-banging rock songs, is coming out soon on January 10^th, 2020. Their album was recorded at Indigital Studios in Santa Cruz, CA. It was mixed/mastered by Zack Ohren who has previously worked with Machine Head, All Shall Perish, and Set Your Goals.

Most of the members are still in their early 20’s and are excited to hear what music lovers think of their new record. They can’t wait to hit the road and meet their fans on tour, hopefully sometime in 2020.

Juliano generously gave Burning Hot Events some of his time to discuss the album concept, choices behind its development, and band evolution:

Interview with Steven Juliano, Singer of My Immortal Enemy

Q & A with music journalist Brittney Coon

The word “akuma” is Japanese for “demon” or “devil”, and Akuma is also the name of a character from Street Fighter. What is the inspiration for your album title?

Juliano: From the very beginning, before we had even written a song, I had a concept for this record. With my last band (I Am Ghost), rock-opera-albums was our thing, but after the band disbanded I started a few other music projects and kind of steered away from all that. The reason being concept albums are a lot of work. Mentally hard work. I wasn’t ready to wrap my head around such a large endeavor then.

This time I felt I was ready again, knowing all too well I was making a lot more work for myself lyrically. But I like challenges, I guess. I’m a glutton for punishment as they say. So, I created this detailed story; a semi-fictional tale with me as the protagonist, the devil (Akuma) the main antagonist. It’s a life journey story in a sense, something I believe we can all relate to.

On your website and on SoundCloud, the track “Paradise” shows an image of Baphomet, a Satanic deity. Lyrically, does your album contain a lot of occult elements? If so, does this reflect your personal beliefs, or is it more of a stylistic choice?

Juliano: It’s all about the concept of the album, honestly, and has nothing to do with our religious beliefs. None of us in My Immortal Enemy are Satanist. None of us are very religious to begin with. I’ve been asked by a lot by people on what the artwork means, why all the dark/religious undertones, etc… and it’s hard to explain since the album isn’t out yet. Once you hear it all in context, it makes sense.

What drew you to having Zack Ohren produce your debut album?

Juliano: The band actually wrote/produced the album ourselves and Zack did the entire mixing/mastering. Before he came on board we had another guy, a semi-famous gentleman whose band had sold millions and millions of albums in the past. So we thought it was a no brainer to have him mix our album. Well, his mixes were turning out… terrible. And not only terrible, he was taking months to get mixes back. There was a definite low period in the band. I had never gone through anything like that before in my career. We all felt helpless, like our album had been hijacked. Finally, I just called up the guy and fired him.

Soon after the search was on for a new mixing-engineer. My bass player told me about a guy he’d worked with in the past, a guy whose discography of bands was perfect for what we’re trying to convey. At the time, Zack was working on the new Machine Head album but graciously took on our project.

Out of all the tracks on your new album, why did you choose “The Laughing Heart” as your first single?

Juliano: Figuring out the first song to release is always difficult. Especially from a new band no one’s heard of yet. You have all these questions swirling in your head: “Do we release an aggressive song? A “radio song”? What if no one likes it? Blah blah blah.” All artists are insecure in a way. If they say they’re not they are lying. We decided it was best to release something that had a little bit of everything.

What I’ve learned from doing this for so long is that not everyone is going to like your music. It took me quite some time to realize that. Easier said than done… I know. But in the end you just have to put out songs you dig and keep moving forward. Second thing I’ve learned (mostly by trial and error) is that if you’re writing honest music with honest lyrics, people tend to lean towards that more often than not.

Currently showing four men as your band members, who is the female vocalist on tracks such as “Into the Blue”?

Juliano: At the early conception of the band we had a female guitarist who played and sang on the album. But, as in life, shit happened… shit that was completely out of our control. One minute she’s all about that tour life… the next minute she’s like “I’m going to get married and I don’t want to be in a band anymore.” Ultimately she moved away and gave up.

That’s the hardest part of being in a serious band; finding people who are all on the same page. Some would think finding great, seasoned musicians is the hardest part, but that’s not true at all. That’s the easy part actually. Finding musicians who you get along with and are willing to put in the long hours is definitely the hardest part.

We know how difficult it can be to retain band members in a new band. With six members listed on your Facebook page, have you gained and lost many members over the past year? If so, how were you able to recover?

Juliano: We’ve been lucky enough to keep the four main members, all of whom are the main song writers of the group. So in retrospect it’s been rather painless. Most touring bands have members who are really just hired guns anyways, so the fact we’ve kept our core unit in tact is a blessing.

How is this band different, in sound or otherwise, than I Am Ghost?

**I Am Ghost’s Those We Leave Behind Album Cover**

Juliano: The biggest difference with My Immortal Enemy and I Am Ghost is that I Am Ghost had a strong, almost ungodly major label push from day one. I Am Ghost was signed by Epitaph Records very early in our career. We signed a three album deal after only a couple of shows under our belts. And when I say couple, I mean only like three of four shows… ever. After that we became another monster. We had real management and agents and a team of publicists… big dogs that would never even return my emails in any of my previous bands… and all this happened literally overnight.

My Immortal Enemy’s Akuma Album Artwork
By: Steven Juliano

My Immortal Enemy, on the other hand, is all DIY. We do everything ourselves. We paid for the recording and mixing of our album ourselves… which was very expensive. Our upcoming music video we paid ourselves. We book all our own shows. I design all the artwork in the band. The negative in all that is its financially draining. The positive, and you have to always look at the positive being in a band, is that there is zero outside influence regarding our music, and for the moment, we rather enjoy the freedom. As to the actual musical styles between the two, My Immortal Enemy is definitely very similar, although I wasn’t trying for that to happen at all. It just kind of happened, I guess.

Your website currently shows a “coming soon” message under the “Tour” section. Are tour plans currently in the works to support the album release?

Juliano: We wanted to take off a few months and get the album release in order. All that takes a lot of work since we are doing it ourselves. Also, being that it’s winter, there really is no reason to hop into a van and travel the US battling all that darn rain and snow. Again, I’ve been touring since I was 19 years old, so subsequently I know how it goes. Winter dates more likely than not get canceled because of bad weather, and most importantly it’s too dangerous traveling. We will be back early 2020 with tour dates, so rest assured. We hope to play as many shows and in as many different places as we possibly can.

What headlining bands would you love to tour with?

Juliano: The cool thing about our band is I feel we could tour with anyone and do ok. We have that definite metal vibe but I’m a punk kid at heart and I think we’d do well on a punk tour, or a hard rock tour. I think we’d fit in well on a pop punk tour… hell, throw us on a ska tour we’d survive. But bands that would be fun to tour with would be bands like Beartooth or Avenged Sevenfold, or even My Chemical Romance now that they have gotten back together.

How are you going to celebrate the release of your new album?

Juliano: This might sound stupid but it feels as though we’ve gone to war in some far off country and have finally returned home… like years later. There’s definitely this “Holy shit man, we did it. We made it home alive…” type mentality with the four of us, which in the end has only brought us closer together. Ultimately, bad things happen in life… things completely out of your control and you can either be resilient or just give up.

But we honestly believe in this album. We think it’s not just good, but rather exceptional. Especially if you know all the history surrounding its inception… of how many times we were knocked down but kept getting back up. My Immortal Enemy are fighters, that’s for damn sure.

Order Akuma:

Arrives in stores everywhere January 10th, 2020. You can now pre-order your physical copy of My Immortal Enemy’s debut 12 song album, “Akuma” HERE. Signed by entire band. Includes two stickers and 1.5 inch button. Bundle pack includes Black Skull/Coffin T-Shirt. FREE shipping (if in the USA). Album ships world-wide.

Also Available for Pre-Order at:

Amazon | Apple Music

Track Listing:

Dangerous
I Devil’lyn
Into The Blue
The Laughing Heart
Atlas
Paradise
Blood On My Hands
Chances Are
After the Funeral
Shiver
Dearly Departed
Hellos Are Harder Than Goodbyes

Stream My Immortal Enemy:

Spotify | SoundCloud | Deezer
YouTube | Play Music | iHeartRadio

Connect with My Immortal Enemy

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Bands & Musicians, Emails, Interviews, Kataklizmic Design

INTERVIEW: Through Fire — Coming to Tempe August 2

July 26, 2019 Brittney Coon Leave a comment

Tempe, AZ — Through Fire will be bringing their tour to the Marquee Theatre on Friday, August 2nd. They’re on the road with co-headliners Like a Storm, and special guests Wilson, and Stitched Up Heart on the “Firestorm Tour”. They will be joined by opener Hazen, an alternative metal band from Gilbert, AZ.

If you haven’t heard of Through Fire, they are a hard rock quartet created in 2015 from Omaha, Nebraska. Justin McCain is lead guitarist and songwriter, Grant Kendrick is lead vocalist, Kyle LeBlanc is bassist, and Grant Brooks is on the drums.

In under two years, Through Fire has over 20 million Spotify streams, chart-topping radio hits, and 48 million YouTube views thanks to their debut album Breathe released by Sumerian Records. Their first single “Stronger” reached #1 on iTunes and spent an impressive 26 weeks on the charts. It was also #1 on Sirius XM Octane for 5 consecutive weeks. This placed them at #3 for the overall year following Metallica and Highly Suspect, not to mention won the band “Breakout Artist of the Year”. Their third single, “Where You Lie” soared to new heights and became #1 most added song in the country on rock radio within its first week.

Now Through Fire is ready to take their music on the road and rock out in front of their phenomenal fans!

Through Fire’s Lead Vocalist Grant Kendrick Interviews with Burning Hot Events

Q & A with music journalist Brittney Coon

Please tell us about your most recent release.

Kendrick: All Animal!!! It’s a beast and we are excited to unleash it!!!

Album Released July 19, 2019

What is your favorite part about being in a band? Your least favorite? Why?

Kendrick: My Favorite part of being in a band is making music! I love the feeling of completing songs that you can’t wait to share!

Discuss your relationship with your fans — how do you interact with and respond to them?

Kendrick: We love em! They bring their passion for music to the show and we enjoy hanging out with them and hearing their stories about how our songs have touched their lives!

What does it mean to you to be in your band?

Kendrick: It means you are committed, a dreamer, believer, and a fighter! We dream big and fight to make it happen! We don’t settle, we push ourselves to be better! We are blessed and grateful for all the opportunities we have and want to make the most of them!

What do you think is the glue that holds your group together?

Kendrick: Probably the music! Justin [McCain] is our leader. He is the engine, but it’s the music we all love and despite any other differences, we believe in what we are doing!

If you weren’t a musician, what do you think you’d be doing?

Kendrick: Well, I’d probably still be trying to make it to the NBA, lol

Have you ever had to deal with performance anxiety? If so, how did/do you handle it?

Kendrick: Yes, basically just pray, and suck it up till the intro music starts then it all goes away! Turns into crazy energy that you use to light up the stage! I don’t get it as much anymore, pretty much chill and just excited to get out there!

How do you maintain the same level of energy and take care of your well-being throughout the entirety of a tour?

Kendrick: I’m sober now, 18 months, so not drinking really helps! I try to drink lots of water and eat decent, but most importantly rest and warm ups! Also, coffee!

What advice do you have for artists just starting out?

Kendrick: Be patient, keep working, networking, and developing your talent. Keep working at it, neglecting your gifts are as good as destroying them. If you know you have it in you, then go out and prove it every chance you get!

Mixi of Stitched Up Heart once mentioned to me years ago that the band played more gigs in Arizona than their home state of California. What makes Arizona and appealing location for shows?

Kendrick: Well, the awesome weather, cool people!!! What more do you need! It’s always exciting to play in AZ! We have friends there we like to stop and see too when we get a chance! Shout out to the Doll Skin family! Thanks so much for the support and we look forward to seeing you soon!!!

Remaining Tour Dates:

7/27 – Jacksonville, NC @ The Tarheel Concert Lounge
7/28 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos Southend
7/30 – Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill
7/31 – Austin, TX @ Empire Control Room & Garage
8/02 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
8/03 – Las Vegas, NV @ Count’s Vamp’d
8/04 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
8/06 – Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
8/07 – Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater
8/09 – Sioux City, IA @ Anthem at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
8/10 – Lincoln, NE @ The Royal Grove

Through Fire Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter
Instagram | YouTube | Spotify

Concerts, Kataklizmic Design, Media, Photo Galleries, Reviews

REVIEW: Hollywood Vampires — The Undead Awaken at the Pool (5-18-19)

May 18, 2019 Brittney Coon Leave a comment

Scottsdale, AZ — It’s a sad truth that some of the best musicians are no longer with us; they found their way to rock ‘n roll heaven. However, they did leave a hell of a legacy in music. Hollywood Vampires is a band formed by Alice Cooper, Joe Perry of Aerosmith, and Johnny Depp in 2015 to pay tribute to the musicians that are no longer with us from the 1970s. Hollywood Vampires is a brainchild from Cooper, who used to hang out in the Rainbow Bar in Hollywood, California in the 1970s. That’s where Cooper and the original Hollywood Vampires followed their mission statement: drink until no one could stand up. Some of the members to this motley crew of drinkers were Keith Moon of The Who, John Lennon and Ringo Starr of The Beatles, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, and Elton John.

On a strangely cool night — perhaps the undead bring a chill to the air — Hollywood Vampires came to Talking Stick Resort to play some classic rock by the pool. Co-Op warmed up the crowd — a band formed by Alice Cooper’s son Dash Cooper, who is on lead vocals.

Dash Cooper, CO-OP — Dash Cooper (Vocalist), CO-OP
| Photography: Mark Greenawalt © All Rights Reserved

Their backdrop was a skull logo with a red left eye that changed to green for certain songs. As they began to play their second song, Cooper shouted, “Let me hear you howl!” It was fitting as they played under a full moon. The crowd wasn’t too loud, and Cooper once again spoke, trying to liven everyone up, “You’re going to need to be louder to wake the undead. We’re from right here in Phoenix!” One of their final songs was called “Silent Skies,” which Cooper said was a tribute song for a friend of his who committed suicide, and he encouraged the crowd to remember that there’s always help out there.

All the lights went off as a spooky recorded voice-over said, “Listen to them, the children of the night!” Cooper came out, first armed with his cane and mic. Perry and Depp followed with their guitars. The rest of the touring band filled the stage around them: Tommy Henriksen on rhythm and lead guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals; Glen Sobel on drums; Chris Wyse on bass; and Buck Johnson on keyboards, rhythm and lead guitar, and backing vocals.

Before addressing the nearly sold-out crowd, Hollywood Vampires played “I Want My Now,” “Raise the Dead,” and “As Bad As I Am.” Before going into a tribute song combo with “Five to One / Break On Through (to the Other Side)” Cooper said, “We’re the Vampires. Paying tribute to our friends who are gone, The Doors.”

As the rift to “The Jack” by AC/DC filled the air, Cooper said, “We lost Malcolm from AC/DC.” As Cooper sang, he did his stage antics with his cane, walking hunched over going back and forth. As he walked he’d slowly pull jack playing cards from his jacket and would show the crowd the card for a few moments before throwing the card at eager fans.

Perry took the mic, saying to fans, “How are you all doing? It’s time for a ballad. This song is by a good friend of mine who died a long time ago, Johnny Thunders.” Perry sings Thunders’ song “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory.” As the song plays, pictures of Thunders flashed on the backdrop mixed in with Hollywood Vampires’ logo changing in colors.

Cooper took back the mic, singing “My Dead Drunk Friends,” as pictures of Cooper’s fallen buddies, including musical icons such as Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison, took turns coming across the backdrop, showing how happy they were to be on stage in their prime. Before singing the next song, “Baba O’Riley” by The Who, Cooper said, “There wouldn’t be the Vampires without Keith Moon.”

Depp paid tribute to David Bowie by singing the song, “Heroes” as images of Bowie appeared on the backdrop.

“It’s a fact most of the vampires have died, but one is still around,” said Cooper. The crowd cheered as they played Cooper’s “I’m Eighteen.” As Cooper sang the next song, “People Who Died” by The Jim Carroll Band, and people in the crowd raised their drinks into the air and sang along with the chorus line, “For the people who died, died.” The logo of the Hollywood Vampires would flash on the backdrop with gravestones inscribed with the names of fallen musicians.

The last song of the night was Cooper’s iconic “School’s Out” as the band played giant red and white balloons with the band’s logo on them were tossed into the crowd like beach balls. People hit them up into the air as others grabbed balloons to keep as souvenirs, and one person even fished their balloon out of the pool. Cooper wrapped up the show by introducing each member of the band. Cooper commented that Perry is one of the best guitar players that he knows.

He put his hand on Depp’s shoulder and said, “You know him by many names, many characters, and now you know him as a guitar player.” Cooper talked about himself last, mentioning how he’s from Arizona and graduated from Cortez High School in Phoenix. The crowd cheered one last time before the lights went out and the Hollywood Vampires took to the night sky.

To see music legends Alice Cooper and Joe Perry together in a band with Johnny Depp is something no one at Talking Stick Resort is going to forget. As fans wandered about the property to the parking lot, went back up to their hotel room, or tried their hand at the slot machines in the casino they all had one thing in common: they knew they were never going to forget seeing Hollywood Vampires. The energy of the band as they jammed their songs and paid tribute to fallen musicians will live on inside them. That night was legendary.

Photo Gallery

Photographer: Mark Greenawalt

Hollywood Vampires – Talking Stick Resort

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Chosen by:

Brittney Coon

Sirenia Online

Artist, Album

Chosen by:

During this COVID-19 pandemic, everyone needs the work of artists to cope, and independent artists need your help to survive and keep making art. Please consider donating extra today to our hard work at Burning Hot Events or making a purchase from our brand new merch store!

Watch The Video for The New Song “The In-Between”

In This Moment Online

Arshenic Online

Interview with Steven Juliano, Singer of My Immortal Enemy

Order Akuma:

Also Available for Pre-Order at:

Track Listing:

Stream My Immortal Enemy:

Connect with My Immortal Enemy

Through Fire’s Lead Vocalist Grant Kendrick Interviews with Burning Hot Events

Remaining Tour Dates:

Through Fire Online:

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Hollywood Vampires – Talking Stick Resort

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