What do you get when you put two powerhouse rock bands plus one up and coming rock band? In this case, the Victorious Sky Tour! It was the end of the tour for co-headliners Alter Bridge and Skillet and opener Dirty Honey in Alter Bridge’s hometown of Orlando, FL. The bands booked two nights in Orlando on October 24th and 25th. But, tonight was the end of this tour before Alter Bridge made their way overseas. And they were certain to make it a very memorable evening for the sold-out House of Blues Orlando.
As I entered the venue that night, it was already wall to wall filled with people and there was still 30 minutes till showtime. And when that venue is sold-out, making your way through the crowd isn’t easy. I squeezed and ducked my way through the crowd to the photo pit with other members of media waiting for the show to start. The crowd was getting antsy standing around. They were itching to rock. Their wish was granted once Dirty Honey took the stage.
The Los Angeles rock band has made headlines recently being the only new independent artist to produce a #1 single with “When I’m Gone”. Their self-titled EP racked up over 5 million streams. This band is running hot and the fans that night got a small taste on what this band can do. Marc Labelle (vocals), John Notto (guitar), Justin Smolian (bass), and Corey Coverstone (drums) came out on stage with confidence and beaming smiles. They kicked off into “Scars” where Marc showed off his versatile vocal range while wearing the coolest top hat, easily winning over the crowd. John with precision quickness performed solos during the songs that had the crowd hollering for more. Besides his ability to play, his showmanship as he does is top-notch. Justin laid down the bass with a groove that wrapped around you and pulled you into their music, all the while looking cool in his shades. Corey kept focused at drumming but had an amazing rhythm to it and showed he had talent.
And that’s exactly what the fans got to see of them; their talent. I had the pleasure of seeing them perform once before this night and Dirty Honey is a rock machine that isn’t stopping any time soon. Their musical talent, the way they all work the stage, and the music wrap up together into a perfect package. It’s no wonder Dirty Honey is quickly making a name for themselves. Besides their music, they are also very appreciative of their fans. Marc called out his parents were in the audience that night, pointed them out, and thanked them for all they did for him and the band. The crowd cheered for his parents as much as they did the band. They wrapped up their short set with “When I’m Gone” and their latest single “Rolling 7s”. Dirty Honey is a must see live band. I see big things in their future and looking forward for new music from them. You can check out their music and merch at their website HERE. Their set list that night:
- Scars
- Break You
- Heartbreaker
- Down The Road
- When I’m Gone
- Rolling 7s
The Tennessee rock band Skillet was getting ready to come to the stage. The band has been active since 1996 and considered one of the hardest working bands around. They are constantly on tour, always involved in new projects or music, and love their fans as much as the fans love them. Skillet is no stranger to success having their last 4 albums hit number 1 on Billboard’s U.S. Christian Album charts and certifying two Platinum albums and two Gold albums. The band is touring in support of their tenth studio album Victorious which was released on August 2, 2019. Skillet is John Cooper (bass/vocals), Korey Cooper (rhythm guitar/keyboards), Seth Morrison (lead guitar), and Jen Ledger (drums/vocals). Also along with them on this tour was cellist Tate Olsen.
Before they came to the stage, radio hosts Supa Dave and Pat Lynch from WJRR 101.1 Orlando’s rock station came out to talk to the crowd. They had an opportunity for fans to get their hands on a Skillet skillet (literally a frying pan autographed by the band) via raffle where the money was going to charity. Soon after, Skillet took the stage to one of the loudest crowds I’ve heard yet at House of Blues Orlando. Skillet loves to kick off a show fast and did say with “Feel Invincible” from their album Unleashed. If you ever want to see and feel true energy come off a stage, Skillet is the forefront runner for it. The intensity and passion you see and hear from them are incredible. From John‘s amazing vocals to Korey‘s bouncing and even playing doing a split, to Seth‘s ripping guitar riffs, and Jen headbanging behind the drumset, they are the epitome of the word “energetic”. Honestly, it’s electric seeing them live. John brought out fog cannons attached to his arms to pepper us in the pit and the crowd with them. I always love seeing that and he seems to have way too much fun using them.
Besides bright lights and big sound, Skillet is infamous for using platforms during their performances where Korey and Seth play from them while the platforms move up and down. Tate also got on one during the show performing from the platform. One thing their hardcore fans know about Skillet is they are a Christian rock band. John Cooper always talks about his faith in God and Jesus Christ and how much they have influenced his life, which he spoke to the fans about that night. The other piece people love about Skillet is how much they connect with their fans. John pointed about numerous fans at that show he met and a little bit about them. People who traveled great distances to see them and people who have been clean and sober for years. Even I too experienced that connection experience seeing John at the Exit 111 festival and how he remembered me from our interview at Welcome To Rockville 5 months ago. Beyond the wonderful music they provide, it’s easy to understand why people love them and I absolutely love Skillet.
The band performed a number of tracks from Victorious including “You Ain’t Ready” (amazing song!), “Legendary” (another amazing song!), “Save Me”, and “Victorious”. I was pleased to see them perform “Awake and Alive” and one of my all time favorites “Monster”. When they wrapped up their set the crowd was roaring at the top of their lungs. If you never seen Skillet perform live you are missing out on an amazing time. You can find their music and merch at their website HERE. Their setlist from that night was:
- Feel Invincible
- Not Gonna Die
- You Ain’t Ready
- Whispers in the Dark
- Legendary
- Awake and Alive
- Back From the Dead
- Save Me
- Hero
- Undefeated
- Victorious
- Comatose
- Monster
- The Resistance
Last, but certainly not least, was our headliners for that night Alter Bridge. The band from Orlando FL was getting ready to take the stage in front of their hometown legion of fans. But not only their fans were there that night but music artists even showed up to see them perform. Lajon Witherspoon (vocals), Morgan Rose (drums), and John Connolly (guitar) were in attendance to support their brothers in Alter Bridge. The rock band from Orlando, FL formed back in 2004 and took the radio waves by storm with their first single “Open Your Eyes” and then the release of their debut album One Day Remains. Fans immediately gravitated towards them with their amazing sound and live performances. Alter Bridge would go on to release five additional albums over the next 15 years, including their most recent Walk The Sky, which released on October 18, 2019. Alter Bridge is Myles Kennedy (vocals/rhythm guitar), Mark Tremonti (lead guitar/vocals), Brian Marshall (bass), and Scott Phillips (drums).
Before they hit the stage, Supa Dave and Pat Lynch came back out to bring special guest Lajon Witherspoon on stage to promote Sevendust acoustic performance at the House of Blues Orlando on December 29th. Also, Sevendust will be joining Alter Bridge on their European tour to promote Walk The Sky. After the left the stage, the lights dimmed and across the electronic boards in the back you could see the logo for Alter Bridge. The crowd cheered as the opening track from Walk The Sky “One Life” played over the speakers as the band made their way on stage. Alter Bridge hit it into high gear right off with the first single from Walk The Sky titled “Wouldn’t You Rather”. A solid tune that shows off the musical and vocal talent that makes Alter Bridge who they are. The band went with darker lighting for this show in order to show off an amazing laser light display throughout the night. They followed up with their #1 hit single “Isolation” from ABIII.
The fans were loving the show that night. The entire crowd was singing along and when Myles or Mark gestured for the crowd to sing, they did and loudly. Alter Bridge‘s music always sounds as good if not better live and there’s something about their style that fans absorb, relish, and give back in cheers. Their music rocks hard and touches your soul. That night Alter Bridge changed up the setlist from Thursday night and debuted the first live performance of “Dying Light” from Walk The Sky. The fans appreciated getting to hear that live for the first time and it was well done. They followed up with an acoustic performance of “In Loving Memory”, a song that I hold close, as it reminds me of people I’ve lost in my life. Alter Bridge rocked the closing with “Blackbird”, “Metalingus”, definitely a fan favorite song with Myles guiding the crowd to get low to the crowd and jump up at the right moment in the song, and finally, another personal favorite “Rise Today”.
You can find Alter Bridge‘s merch and music HERE. Their setlist for that night was:
- Wouldn’t You Rather
- Isolation
- Come To Life
- Pay No Mind
- Addicted To Pain
- Waters Rising
- Cry of Achilles
- Dying Light
- In Loving Memory
- Blackbird
- Metalingus
- Rise Today
The combination of Alter Bridge, Skillet, and Dirty Honey was truly spectacular and all three band’s performances were perfect. I couldn’t see a better way for them to close out the Victorious Sky Tour and look forward to seeing all three bands come back to rock Orlando once more.
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