Hard rockers Halestorm brought their nEVEREST DUALITY Tour to Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on September 14 with special guests Lindsey Stirling and Apocalyptica. Celebrating their latest release in four years, Everest, which has been taking the rock world by storm (pun intended), and with this lineup, it was truly a night of incredible musicianship.
Apocalyptica, a symphonic metal band hailing from Helsinki, Finland, composed of three classically trained cellist—Eicca Toppinen, Perttu Kivilaakso, and Paavo Lötjönen—kicked off the night. Originating as a classical-style Metallica tribute band, Apocalyptica have evolved into a neoclassical metal powerhouse, covering numerous classic rock and metal songs, collaborating with other legendary musicians, and creating original music over the years. But they went back to their roots for this tour, uniquely covering six Metallica favorites in a way that Apocalyptica excels at … starting with “Ride The Lightning” and ending with “Seek and Destroy.”
Electric violinist Lindsey Stirling, whom Halestorm’s lead singer and guitarist Lzzy Hale later referred to as her “sister from another mister,” was the next to blow our minds on the strings. With her electrifying music, outstanding dance choreography, and dazzling costumes, Lindsey put on a truly mesmerizing, one-of-a-kind, theatrical performance and has officially made a new fan out of me. Some fans even showed up donning banana costumes in her honor after she interacted with a fan wearing a similar costume during her cruise ship performance back in May.
Lindsey’s musical style is an eclectic mix of pop, electric dance music (EDM), and now rock. She explained that this tour is the first time that she and her band have “really leaned into the rock ‘n’ roll,” and that she has “discovered a whole new side of her personality that she is kinda liking.” And we are kinda liking it too, Lindsey. Actually, we are really liking it. Bravo!
At 8:55, the curtain came down, and headliners Halestorm immediately rocked our world. Fans of all ages were in attendance, especially many young girls. During her piano solo of “Raise Your Horns,” Lzzy gave a 10-year-old girl a shout-out after reading her sign and replied, “Thank you for your sign, by the way. There’s a young woman down here with some headphones, and her sign that says, ‘You’re my inspiration.’ Well, darlin’, I’m here to tell you. YOU are my inspiration. It comes full-circle.” And then explained that when she and her younger brother, Arejay (on drums), first started the band when they were just 13 and 11 years old, she would never in her “wildest dreams” think that years later, she would be on stage with a 10-year-old holding up a sign with such meaningful words on it.
Lzzy Hale is an absolute force and proves time and time again that she is one of the best rock vocalists of our time. She even held her own by being the only woman musician to play Ozzy’s epic “Back to the Beginning” in Birmingham, England, two months ago. Halestorm put on an engaging, robust set, playing a variety of their catalog spanning their 22 years as an active band. Confetti, smoke machines, and even a giant claw made an appearance that Arejay slew during his drum solo and represented the cover art from Everest’s first single, “Darkness Always Wins.” The encore did not disappoint with Lindsey Stirling coming back out to perform her and Lzzy’s collaboration hit “Shatter Me,” followed by the band cheers-ing with the excited crowd and doing a shot before going into “Here’s to Us” and ending with their latest title track “Everest.”
The must-see nEVERSET DUALITY Tour is running in the States and Canada until October 11 in Spokane, Washington, before Halestorm heads to Europe with special guest Bloodywood. If it comes to a city near you, go check it out. If you weren’t already a fan of these three, I assure you that will change.
Halestorm
Lindsey Stirling
Apocalyptica
