Bernadette O'Malley | Rockshot Magazine

Hollywood Vampires Pay Homage To The Dead At The O2

Bernadette O'Malley — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 19:50:35 +0000

Formed in 2012, Hollywood Vampires are an American rock supergroup currently consisting of Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, Johnny Depp, and Tommy Henriksen. Cooper regales how the band takes its name from a drinking club consisting of mainly himself, late The Who drummer Keith Moon, Beatles men Ringo Starr & John Lennon, Monkees man Micky Dolenz, the late Harry Nilsson and more! This took place during the height of Cooper’s drinking in the 1970s and the mission of the original Hollywood Vampires was to drink until you could no longer stand up.

Hollywood Vampires @ The O2

Alice Cooper & Joe Perry of Hollywood Vampires @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

For tonight’s unforgettable performance at London’s O2 Arena we have Aerosmith guitar Legend Joe Perry on lead guitar, Cooper on harmonica, rhythm guitar, lead and backing vocals, Hollywood star Depp on guitar, backing and lead vocals and finally, newest member Henriksen, of German metallers Warlock, on guitar and backing vocals. The troupe are joined by Cooper’s touring drummer Glen Sobel, Aerosmith touring keyboardist and guitar man Buck Johnson and bassist Chris Wyse. As you can tell from the lineup there is no shortage of guitars on the stage tonight and that’s before a surprise guest joins us later in the set…

From the moment the band took the stage, the energy in the venue was palpable. The audience erupted in cheers as the iconic members appeared before us one by one. The stage was set with a gothic ambiance, complete with elaborate props, including giant fangs unfurling from the top of the stage, things of your worst nightmares on the big screens behind the band and captivating lighting and smoke machine effects that enhanced the atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the night was the impeccable musicianship displayed by each member of the Hollywood Vampires. Alice Cooper, the godfather of shock rock, showcased his unparalleled showmanship, captivating the crowd with his commanding stage presence and distinctive vocals. Joe Perry, a guitar virtuoso, delivered breathtaking solos that sent shivers down the spines of every rock enthusiast in the audience. Johnny Depp, known primarily as an actor, proved his musical prowess as he skilfully played guitar alongside his fellow bandmates.

Hollywood Vampires @ The O2

Johnny Depp of Hollywood Vampires @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

The set list was a well-curated blend of original songs and classic rock covers, The Vampires breathing new life into timeless hits such as The Doors classics Five To One and Break On Through as well as The Who mainstay Baba O’Riley, paying homage to their musical influences and brothers in (musical) arms. Standout performances included powerful renditions of School’s Out and I’m Eighteen by Alice Cooper, as well as electrifying versions of Aerosmith tunes Bright Light Fright and Walk This Way, with Johnny Depp joining in seamlessly on guitars and backing vocals before stepping in on lead vocal duties for a rousing rendition of David Bowie classic Heroes.

Throughout the concert, the Hollywood Vampires exhibited a genuine camaraderie on stage. Their chemistry and mutual respect were evident, creating an infectious energy that spread to every corner of the venue. Another notable moment was the heartfelt tribute paid to fallen rock stars, the band honouring the legacies of musicians like Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, and Jeff Beck, among others.

Our surprise guest, Rolling Stones guitar man Ronnie Wood, enters the arena and the crowd are in for a touching instrumental tribute to the late Jeff Beck, pictures of his life and career show up on the big screens behind this stage of legends. This is then followed with The Train Kept A-Rollin’ where the guitarists lined up together and the chorus was sung by special guest Imelda May.

Each tribute was accompanied by a powerful performance, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere that paid homage to the greats who have left an indelible mark on the world of rock music. It was a night that transported the audience back to the golden age of rock, while simultaneously showcasing the enduring power and relevance of the genre. Whether you were a lifelong fan or a newcomer to their music, the Hollywood Vampires delivered a concert that left a lasting impression. It was a reminder that rock and roll is alive and well, and that its spirit continues to thrive in the hearts and performances of these iconic musicians.

Review of Hollywood Vampires @ The O2, London on 9th July 2023 by Bernadette O’Malley. Photos by Kalpesh Patel.

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The post Hollywood Vampires Pay Homage To The Dead At The O2 first appeared on Rockshot Magazine.

Crystal Palace Park Crowd Soaked To The Rag ‘n’ Bone Man

Bernadette O'Malley — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:40:47 +0000

This Crystal Palace crowd are well and truly warmed up by the time Rory Charles Graham – AKA Rag ‘n’ Bone Man – and his band causally saunter out onto the stage causing quite the stir with the gig goers, the 38-year-old East Sussex man tonight’s main support for Denver-based folk heroes Lumineers.

Rag'n'Bone Man @ Crystal Palace Park

Rag'n'Bone Man @ Crystal Palace Park (Lauren Patel)

The troupe launch straight into belter Wolves from debut album Human. The jubilant crowd joining in from the get go providing additional backing vocals, despite the fantastic backing vocalists he already has on stage.

Barely stopping to take a breath and they’re straight into Skin, the audience and band are now in their element and the band just keeps on giving with All You Ever Wanted up next, a track from his second and most recent album: Life Of Misadventure.

Rory gives the band a short reprieve whilst he asks the crowd if they’re ok, thanks them for all the love and tells them how he was tempted to walk down the “penis extension” (stage walkway) but that he wasn’t allowed too as he might slip. This gets an uproar from the crowd and I’m sure a few are disappointed that they won’t get to see this amazing vocalist up close and personal.

Half way through the one hour set our lead continues with some self-deprecating banter as a member of the crowd asks for a request, the response was they can’t play it in case the crowd f*ck off after they played it and so they’d have to wait, instead the band perform Anywhere Away From Here, originally performed with P!nk but the backing vocalist does a stunning job in her absence.

The front man introduces Choke Hold as a brand new song and his vocals for this one seem to take it up a notch, if that’s even possible! Whether you call yourself a fan or not there’s one thing you can’t deny and that is that Rory Charles Graham has an astonishingly powerful and soulful voice that knows just how to emote this lyrical genius.

Three quarters of the set in and I suspect the earlier request is fulfilled, the chords to storming debut album title track Human ring out across the park, the ongoing background conversations break off and are instead replaced with a sea of voices and the place breaks out in chorus and continues to sing along. It’s clear this one remains a firm favourite with the fans. If our Rag ‘n’ Bone man was truly worried about the crowd leaving after this song, he need not have been as the they are here to stay and he continues to entertain and show off the range and talent of his voice.

They end strong on Giant which gets the masses fist pumping and jumping up and down cheering, this crew came here to entertain and they leave behind an electrified throng who no longer care that they’ve been soaked to the bone by this evening’s summer storm.

Review of Rag ‘n’ Bone Man @ Crystal Palace Park on 8th July 2023 by Bernadette O’Malley. Photos by Lauren Patel.

Despite The Storm, The Lumineers Show Crystal Palace Park The Brightside  

The post Crystal Palace Park Crowd Soaked To The Rag ‘n’ Bone Man first appeared on Rockshot Magazine.

Despite The Storm, The Lumineers Show Crystal Palace Park The Brightside

Bernadette O'Malley — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 09:34:25 +0000

There’s no dampening this crowd’s spirits as the rains came down on a muggy summer’s evening in London, even after a somewhat false start where a short pause between songs over the speakers led the crowd to believe The Lumineers were about to don the stage but didn’t. Eventually lead man Wesley Schultz and the band bound onto stage to a somewhat soggy, but exuberant crowd and started straight into hit Brightside without skipping a beat.

The Lumineers @ Crystal Palace Park

The Lumineers @ Crystal Palace Park (Lauren Patel)

After watching these guys for even just a couple of songs you have to question; do these Colorado based multi-instrumentalists know no bounds? Is there an instrument this band can’t play? With tools of the trade ranging from, but not limited to, cello, bass, accordion, tambourine, percussion, violin, piano, and even a mandolin. If anything it makes you feel sympathy for their roadies, who are certainly given a run for their money, moving equipment across this Crystal Palace stage with long walk way platform, because the band members spent almost half their time to and froing between main stage and the walkway amidst the enchanted concert goers. At one stage this even included a string section being performed, mid walkway, for the track from the self-titled album Charlie Boy. One thing is for sure this band know how to perform, no matter the medium.

For all the musical equipment tonight, and I’ll admit I lost count of Schultz’s guitar changes, what didn’t go amiss was the charm of just how well loved some of his guitars were, with the wear and tear of well-played instruments. No matter the guitar, the frontman hits the right chord with his spectators.

This foot stomping, alternative folk, 6-piece powerhouse seem to not only have a boundless energy but also give off an endlessly positive effervescent vibe. From Lauren Jacobson skipping onto the stage, to our barefoot pianist, Stelth Ulvang, rocking the piano with such velocity as he plays it, and on more than one occasion this debauched shoeless wonder used his foot to play, instead of his fingers. Later still he is seen posing a headstand atop said piano, during the performance of Big Parade whilst the other band members posed perfectly stock still. I don’t know why he bothers with a stool; it was one of the least used pieces of equipment on the stage this evening.   Encore demands come in the form of chants of “one more song” and the masses didn’t have to wait long for our folk rockers to reappear and to not only 1 more song, instead they got 5 and a short birthday homage to their long term guitar tech.

After said return to stage Wesley perches on the piano to sing Donna from their concept album III, whilst drummer and founding member, Jeremiah Fraites, plays the keys. At this stage of the evening what little light we had has left the sky and the crowd, now mellowed out, light up the park by swaying their mobile phone lights setting quite the atmosphere.

Fast forward to Jeremiah returning to drums and Wesley back on guitar for Submarine, a surprise treat for fans at the main stage as the singer walks down the stage steps and walks the line reaching out to the elated crowd as he passes.  The night comes to a close with one final hit from the self-titled album and this time it’s Stubborn Love. Even after their music finishes and Protocol Harum’s A Whiter Shade of Pale comes on over the PA these entertainers don’t stop performing, Lauren does a cartwheel onto Stelth’s shoulders and with her still on his back he runs on to main stage and with that the night was over.

Review of The Lumineers @ Crystal Palace Park on 8th July 2023 by Bernadette O’Malley. Photos by Lauren Patel.

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The post Despite The Storm, The Lumineers Show Crystal Palace Park The Brightside   first appeared on Rockshot Magazine.

Foo Fighters Churn It Up At Glastonbury 2023

Bernadette O'Malley — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 06:50:00 +0000

Foo Fighters’ “surprise” performance at Glastonbury 2023 – finally revealing the true identity of mystery early Friday evening Pyramid Stage act “The ChurnUps” – was an absolute triumph, solidifying their status as one of the greatest rock bands of our time. From the moment they took the stage, the energy was palpable, and the audience was completely captivated and impassioned.

The Churnups @ Glastonbury Festival 2023

Dave Grohl of "The Churnups" @ Glastonbury Festival 2023 (Kalpesh Patel)

Opening with their 2002 stadium anthem All My Life, the band immediately established a powerful connection with the crowd. Frontman Dave Grohls’ powerful vocals soared through the air, while the band’s tight musicianship, with new addition Josh Freese on drums for them for the first time in the UK, set the stage for an unforgettable performance. They quickly and effortlessly moved through their catalogue of hits, including The Pretender, Learn To Fly, and My Hero, delivering each song with raw energy and perfect precision.

What truly set this performance apart were the unexpected surprises, the build up of tension in the lead up to the festival, the dropped hints but all the while recently reformed Britpop outfit Pulp also being rumoured for the spot, so not knowing for sure. In an electrifying display of musical prowess, midway through Medicine at Midnight cut No Son Of Mine Dave broke into the chords of Metallicas’ Enter Sandman before making a point of the limited 60 minute slot they were allocated and moving swiftly on to pack in all the songs they could.

Grohl later proudly invited his daughter, Violet Grohl, onto the stage to collaborate, as they performed a mesmerising rendition of soulful latest album single Show Me How, written about Dave’s mother who, like the group’s mainstay drummer Taylor Hawkins, also passed away unexpectedly last year, mellowing the crowd.

Ending the set, our Frontman dedicates the group’s biggest hit Everlong to his late friend and late band drummer Hawkins, asking the crowd to sing it “loud as sh!t for T” and the crowd deliver. The audience was completely engaged and connected with the band throughout their entire short, blistering performance. The sense of unity and euphoria was palpable as thousands of voices joined together in chorus, creating a powerful, emotional experience.

Foo Fighters’ performance at Glastonbury Festival 2023 was one hell of a display of rock and roll excellence. From their electrifying opening right the way through their one hour set the band demonstrated why they continue to be at the top of their game despite their recent losses and need to rework their dynamic. It was a set that will be remembered as a highlight of Glastonbury history and a testament to the enduring power of rock music.

Review by Bernadette O’Malley and photos by Kalpesh Patel at Glastonbury Festival 2023.

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Chris Shiflett @ Scala

Chris Shiflett

Of course it wouldn’t be right if the final song of the night was anything other than West Coast Town, the fans tonight go home more than content with promises of returning soon.

Review of Chris Shiflett at Scala on 28th March 2023 by Bernadette O’Malley. Photography by Kalpesh Patel.

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The post Chris Shiflett At Scala: Stetsons, Sprinters, Capos & Greggs first appeared on Rockshot Magazine.