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
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
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.
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