Halestorm Ignite London Stadium With Ferocity, Heart, And An ‘Everest’ Taste Of What’s To Come

by | Jun 30, 2025

Opening for British metal legends Iron Maiden isn’t for the faint-hearted, particularly at the London Stadium—in front of 80,000 fired-up metal fans! But Halestorm have never been a band to flinch in the face of pressure. On Saturday night at London Stadium, the Pennsylvania rock veterans delivered a blistering, defiant set that not only won over the die-hard metal faithful but teased the future of a band still ascending.

Halestorm @ London Stadium

Halestorm @ London Stadium (Kalpesh Patel)
Halestorm @ London Stadium (Kalpesh Patel)

Following a thunderous set from The Raven Age, Lzzy Hale and her band charged onto the stage with Fallen Star, an opening salvo of gritty riffs and soaring vocals that set the tone for the ten-song masterclass that followed. Without missing a beat, Hale let out a blood-curdling scream, belting out “Hello London!” before diving straight into I Miss the Misery. The crowd roared in response, the energy in the stadium erupting like a powder keg.

“Make some noise London!” she demanded before launching into the feral Love Bites (So Do I)—the band’s GRAMMY®-winning banger that’s lost none of its bite over the years. As the blistering opening trio drew breath, Hale paused to tease what’s next: “Alright London, so we got a new album coming out August 8th and we will be back here at The O2 in November,” she grinned. The announcement triggered cheers of approval before they dropped WATCH OUT!, a scorching new cut from their upcoming sixth LP, Everest. With punk-tinged urgency and a crushing chorus, the song already feels like a setlist staple in the making.

Things took a darker, more introspective turn with Darkness Always Wins, a slow-burning reminder of Halestorm’s ability to balance vulnerability with fire. Then came a haunting medley: Familiar Taste Of Poison dissolved into a chilling tease of Rain Your Blood On Me, another unreleased track that hinted at an emotionally weighty direction for their new record. Then it was time for a show-stealing moment: Arejay Hale’s drum solo, a wild spectacle of rhythm and personality. Midway through the frenetic display, he whipped out his now-iconic oversized drumsticks, drawing roars of laughter and admiration from the crowd as he pounded his kit with cartoonish ferocity. Lzzy returned to the mic, beaming with pride: “Make some noise for my brother Arejay on the drums!” The crowd obliged, loudly.

Halestorm @ London Stadium

Halestorm @ London Stadium (Kalpesh Patel)
Halestorm @ London Stadium (Kalpesh Patel)

The energy never dipped as the band thundered into Freak Like Me. Lzzy, pacing the stage like a firebrand preacher, rallied the masses: “Are you an Iron Maiden … Freak … Like … Me?” The call-and-response was deafening. As the final notes rang out, she declared, “London! We’re all freaks tonight!” to a stadium fully in agreement. Then came the seductive swagger of I Get Off, Lzzy dedicating the track to “the ladies in the crowd – my Iron Maidens if you will.” The invitation sparked a wave of women being lifted onto shoulders, a fitting tribute to the band’s strong, empowered female fandom.

But Halestorm saved the best for last. Everest, the title track from their forthcoming sixth LP, closed the set in stunning form. Epic in scale and towering in sound, it felt tailor-made for stadiums—its soaring chorus and thunderous finish a sign that Halestorm are aiming higher than ever before.

If Saturday night was any indication, they’re not just ready for the next level—they’re already there. As the final echoes of Everest faded, Halestorm didn’t leave the stage as openers. They left as future stadium headliners.

Live review & photography of Halestorm @ London Stadium by Kalpesh Patel on 28th June 2025.

Iron Maiden Keep On Trooping At London Stadium And Celebrate 50 Years At ‘Homecoming’

Blair Davie (Press)

Blair Davie Unveil Deeply Personal New EP ‘First And Last’

Scottish singer-songwriter Blair Davie has released their highly anticipated new EP, First And Last, via Giant Music —...
Joyce Manor (Dan Monick)

Joyce Manor Announce New Album ‘I Used To Go To This Bar’ Alongside Lead Single ‘Well, Whatever It Was’

California punk favourites Joyce Manor have announced details of their upcoming album I Used To Go To This Bar, due for release on 30th January 2026 via Epitaph Records. The band have also shared the lead single Well, Whatever It Was, accompanied by a chaotic and comedic Lance Bangs–directed music video that riffs on The Great British Bake Off, featuring cameos from comedians and musicians playing UK rock icons.

Third Eye Blind @ Islington Assembly Hall (Kalpesh Patel)

Third Eye Blind Bring Chaos, Charm And Catharsis To London’s Islington Assembly Hall

An ominous, synth-driven hum filled the room at Islington Assembly Hall, a restless Thursday night crowd buzzing beneath it. Then — silence. A heartbeat later, the guitars of Thanks A Lot burst to life as Stephen Jenkins strode onto the stage in crisp white trousers and a beanie, his guitar hung low, his every movement theatrical. The room erupted. Without a word, Third Eye Blind were off and running — all muscle, melody and memory.

Darius Rucker @ Utilita Arena Birmingham (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Country Spirit Soars As Darius Rucker Brings Nashville Energy To Birmingham

It was a night of country music highs at the Utilita Arena Birmingham as Darius Rucker brought his unmistakable voice and charisma to the city. The South Carolina-born star has long been a bridge between country traditions and mainstream appeal, and his stop in Birmingham underlined why he remains one of the genre’s most enduring figures. Before the headline act took the stage, the crowd was treated to a journey through some of country’s brightest stars, each setting the mood in their own way.

Fickle Friends (Daniel Alexander Harris)

Fickle Friends Bottle The Chaos Of New Love On Single ‘Joe’ Ahead Of Self-Titled Album

Brighton indie-pop favourites Fickle Friends have unveiled their latest single Joe, a bold and chaotic anthem that...
W.A.S.P. @ Hammersmith Apollo (Louise Phillips)

Blackie Lawless Reigns Supreme: W.A.S.P. Ignite Eventim Apollo With Shock-Rock Fury

Blackie Lawless is to Rock what the Milky Bar Kid is to chocolate, an unforgettable icon with a legendary status who seems to defy the normal rules of ageing! And tonight at the packed Eventim Apollo he is a man clearly intent on giving the audience a night that they will never forget.

Madness @ Uptown Festival 2024 (Kalpesh Patel)

Madness Announce Greatest Hits Album Hit Parade & 2025 UK Arena Tour

The original Nutty Boys are back. Camden legends Madness have announced the release of their new greatest hits collection, Hit Parade, out on 21st November 2025 via West Village Music Management. The career-spanning anthology celebrates more than four decades of chart-topping singles, fan favourites, and rare gems from one of Britain’s most beloved bands.

Robert Smith of The Cure @ Glastonbury Festival 2019 (Kalpesh Patel)

Isle Of Wight Festival 2026: Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris & The Cure Lead A Landmark Line-Up

The Isle of Wight Festival 2026 has unveiled its headliners and first wave of artists, setting the stage for another...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing