Photos and Review by Jim LaValley
Galleries: Halestorm, I Prevail, Hollywood Undead
On a hot and humid night in the vibrant Seaport district of Boston, the Leader Bank Pavilion came alive with an electric atmosphere as fans eagerly awaited a lineup of four powerhouse bands – Fit for a King, Hollywood Undead, with co-headliners Halestorm and I Prevail. With the venue situated near the water, a cool breeze occasionally offered some respite from the summer heat, making it a perfect setting for a night of unforgettable live music.
First up, Fit for a King set the tone for the night with some nice heavy metal. Next on the stage, Hollywood Undead, known for their unique blend of rap-rock and captivating stage presence struck the opening chords of “California Dreaming,” and the crowd erupted into a frenzy. Their dynamic setlist included crowd favorites such as “City of the Dead” and “Comin’ in Hot,” which had the audience passionately singing along. Hollywood Undead’s performance left a lasting impression, successfully setting the bar incredibly high for the evening ahead.
Following Hollywood Undead’s high-octane performance, it was co-headliner Halestorm’s turn to take the stage. Led by the powerhouse vocalist Lzzy Hale, the band wasted no time in delivering an awe-inspiring performance. From the opening notes of “I Miss the Misery,” Halestorm demonstrated their sheer talent and commitment to their craft. Lzzy’s mesmerizing stage presence and storytelling skills, coupled with her raw and fierce vocals, captivated the audience’s attention throughout the entire set. Songs like “Love Bites (So Do I)” and “Apocalyptic” showcased Halestorm’s versatility. Joe Hottinger on lead guitar had a thunderous tight sound the whole night and when coupled with Lzzy’s jamming, it totally rocked. Josh Smith on bass guitar drove the rhythm with Arejay Hale on drums for each song with intensity throughout the night. The band’s infectious energy and unparalleled musicianship undoubtedly left the crowd wanting more.
As the night grew darker, the atmosphere became increasingly charged with anticipation for the co-headliner, I Prevail. Amidst a roar of applause and excitement, the band exploded onto the stage with their intense anthem “There’s Fear in Letting Go.” The next tune was one of my favorites from I Prevail, “Bodybag”, which showcases the vocal ranges of Eric Vanlerberghe and Brian Burkheiser. The roar of the crowd was deafening, and I Prevail surpassed all expectations with their commanding performance. The seamless integration of clean and harsh vocals, backed by powerful instrumentals, created a sonic assault that resonated in every corner of the venue.
In my opinion, the best song of the night was when Lzzy Hale came out to sing “Can you see me in the dark?” with I Prevail. Eric and Lzzy had incredible synergy and I look forward to more collaborations in the future from them.
The band showcased their emotional depth with tracks like “Hurricane” and “Breaking Down,” while fan-favorites like “Blank Space” (a Taylor Swift cover) and “Bow Down” had the crowd head banging and singing along with every word. I Prevail’s stellar stage presence and their ability to connect with the audience created an electrifying atmosphere that won’t soon be forgotten.
Overall, the concert at the Leader Bank Pavilion on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, totally rocked. Fit for a King, Hollywood Undead, Halestorm, and I Prevail each brought their A-game, leaving the audience breathless and craving for more. The blend of rap-rock, hard rock, and metalcore ensured a diverse range of musical styles that appealed to all rock music enthusiasts. The venue, located near the water in Boston’s Seaport district, provided a refreshing escape from the sweltering heat, adding to the overall enjoyment of the night. With stellar performances from all four bands, Tuesday night’s concert will surely be remembered as an outstanding display of talent and showmanship.
As this tour is making its way around the country, I definitely recommend checking it out for an overall enjoyable night of killer music.