By Cathy Moore of Moore Rock Shots & Reviews
Blitz Great Summer Smokeout recap 2017
This year 99.7 The Blitz celebrates its 25-year anniversary and they celebrated in an explosive way with a sold out crowd at the 99.7 The Blitz 25th Anniversary Great Summer Smokeout at Express LIVE featuring the always amazing Halestorm. (photo gallery)
The party kicked off under a clear sky with Cleveland rockers Nine Shrines. These guys have an infectious energy that really gets the crowd pumped and primed. They played with passion and never stopped head banging the entire set. Nine Shrines played songs from their debut EP Misery (available now) including the hit single “King of Mercy.” They closed their set with a refreshing rendition of the Garth Brooks hit “Friends in Low Places.” The crowd loved it. (photo gallery)
Next up was Adelitas Way – probably the hardest working and most personable band I’ve ever interacted with. These guys know how to work the crowd – whether it is recognizing kid fans, rousing crowd surfers, or stirring a competition over where vocalist Rick DeJesus would eventually dive into the madness. Adelitas Way played fan favorites like “Sick”, “Alive”, “Criticize”, and “Invincible” as well as other less commonly played but great songs from their library such as “Dirty Little Thing” and my personal favorite “Hurt.” They also rocked their latest single “Notorious” which is the title track for their 5th album coming out this fall. Every time Adelitas Way takes the stage you are guaranteed one hell of a great time. (photo gallery)
Sick Puppies took the stage next and opened their set with the high-energy jam “War”, and they didn’t slow down for a second. This show marked the first in their new tour that runs through September and it was clear that the trio was pumped to be back on stage. They played both “old school” Sick Puppies songs like “Riptide” and “Maybe” and songs from their newest release Fury including “Stick to Your Guns” and “Black & Blue.” They also slayed a cover of Rage Against the Machine’s song “Guerrilla Radio.” As he often does at Sick Puppies shows, vocalist Bryan Scott picked out the “craziest motherfucker” from the crowd and challenged him to get a massive mosh pit started and that challenge was conquered. Things got crazy. It was awesome. (photo gallery)
As darkness descended over the venue, Halestorm lit up the stage. Lzzy Hale’s voice just defies comprehension. How can such a powerful and phenomenal voice come from such a petite package? I find myself enraptured by her every single time I see her perform. Halestorm jammed out to so many of their biggest hits from their 2009 self-titled CD through their 2015 release Into the Wild Life. The band shook up some of their most popular songs like “I Get Off” and “It’s Not You” with slower and soulful introductions. They did a killer version of Whitesnake’s 1987 hit “Still of the Night.” Lzzy pulled out the piano to perform a touching cover of “The Rose” by Bette Middler and her own powerful and poignant song “Dear Daughter.” (photo gallery)
Arejay Hale handed over the reigns of his drum set to Sick Puppies drummer Mark Goodwin long enough to lead the crowd in a medley of popular sing-along cover songs that culminated in an emotional chant of Linkin Park’s hit “In The End.” It was an unspoken tribute to the lost Chester Bennington and a plea from Arejay to always let people you love know that you are there for them. Arejay didn’t totally give up his drum solo for a sing along though. He brought out his light-up sticks and we watched red and blue lights fly at a frantic pace while he played a jaw-dropping percussion piece. He also brought out the “big guns” – over-sized drum sticks that he handled like the drum master that he is. He never ceases to amaze me behind that drum set. As I always say…#drummers rule.
Halestorm made fans a deal that they weren’t going to waste their time with the typical encore nonsense. Lzzy said “fuck encores” and just kept right on playing – ending the show strong with “Mayhem” and “I Miss the Misery” and a band bow to the crowd.
It was just a perfect night. Perfect weather. Great energy. Rocking music. Doesn’t get any better than that. Here’s to 25 more years with 99.7 The Blitz and lots more parties just like this one!
Nine Shrines Social Media:
Website: http://nineshrines.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nineshrines/
Instagram: @nineshrines
Twitter: @nineshrines
Adelitas Way Social Media:
Website: http://www.adelitaswaymusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adelitasway/
Instagram: @adelitasway
Twitter: @adelitasway
Sick Puppies Social Media:
Website: http://sickpuppies.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sickpuppies/
Instagram: @sickpuppiesofficial
Twitter: @sickpuppies
Halestorm Social Media:
Website: http://www.halestormrocks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/halestormrocks/
Instagram: @halestormrocks
Twitter: @halestorm
Blitz Great Summer Smokeout recap 2017
By Cathy Moore of Moore Rock Shots & Reviews
For Rock All Photography and Music
