LIVE FROM THE PIT: Halestorm, Bloodywood and Kelsey Karter & The Heroines

With the ever-colder winter nights drawing in a biting chill, we caught a performance that blasts off with Halestorm taking over the BP Pulse Live in Birmingham. Known for electric live performances and continuous tours, the Pennsylvanian Grammy Award winning band is commanding stages all over the world in their Everest tour. 

Kicking off the night is our first support from Kelsy Karter & The Heroines. The band’s front is Kelsy Kater, who grew up in Australia, whereas the rest of the members of the band: drummer Sebastian Boyse, guitarist Matt Peach and bassist Tommy Gent all grew up together in Derby, England. It’s certainly an interesting mix but blended together perfectly and with all the confidence and stage presence to captivate any level of crowd. 

Bloodywood are next, with an infectious sound and attitude that has the crowd moshing from the very start to the end of their set. With traditional Indian dhol drums and sound mashed together with metalcore, a fusion you don’t expect- but find it fits perfectly. A niche that speaks to many of being different and outcast because of following your dreams and passions, a true icon of modern metal and barrier-breaking.

A white cloth hangs blocking the stage from view, a steadily building rhythm of ‘Black Sabbath’ as a nod to Black Sabbath who are from Birmingham. Suddenly, the silhouettes of each band member are projected amongst flashing backlights, stretching to the very top of the ceiling with an arm up and the sign of the horns, Lzzy Hale front and centre. Flanked on either side by guitarist Joe Hottinger, bassist Josh Smith and on drums Arejay Hale.

Blasting straight into ‘Fallen Star’ as the cloth is ripped away and members are revealed behind it. The staging nods to the newest album cover for Everest, mountainous and with a winding path that leads up to a demonic figure engulfed in shadow that resides at the summit of these mountains. 

‘Love Bites (So Do I)’, the Grammy Award winner for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 2013, is still just as infectious. Accompanied by green confetti that rains down across the stage and crowd, from the opening notes to soaring lead vocal moments, only showing why they deserved that win. Taking every moment to connect with each other and the crowd, pointing, strutting and commanding the stage, each a powerhouse of modern rock. Jets of fire bursting from the stage, an unexpected but welcome aspect for the second half of the track, and used throughout the rest of the show.

Taking a more slowed and spotlighted moment for Lzzy Hale, ‘Like a Woman Can’ is a drawn back and vulnerable performance. A red keyboard is brought out front and centre, Lzzy stands under a bright spotlight that focuses our attention on the more raw and unfiltered lyrics. A seductive and intimate song that focuses as a tribute to bisexuality and an awakening of understanding one's sexuality.  

Understandably, for a Birmingham gig and for Lzzy’s connection to Ozzy Osbourne, the night is filled with many tributes and dedications. During the introduction of ‘How Will You Remember Me?’ is noticeably a highlight of this, with the singer encouraging a chant of “Ozzy” which echoes loudly around the arena. “This is for the late, great, Mr Ozzy Osbourne. This is called How Will You Remember Me?” Mixed with an entire audience quickly turning phone torch lights on to sway along with the slow song and touching lyrics, “What will be my legacy?” and “Life goes on in memories”.

A poison chalice, a twisting serpent cape and deep heavy chanting, ‘Rain Your Blood on Me’ is a darker twist in the performance. A war cry and primal scream against the constraints of female empowerment and societal expectations. Halestorm aren’t afraid to speak up about the topics and politics that matter to them.

Taking a moment for Arejay Hale, a drum solo alone on stage, where we are encouraged to make history with the “first ever Birmingham drum mosh pit”. And while the mosh may be small, the dedicated few are shouted out and cheered on by all and with an accompaniment of thunderous drumming no less.

Closing their set with ‘I Gave Your Everything’, pics flying into the audience, wide smiles and still the high energy they have rocked the stage with all night. Matt Peach on guitar effortlessly soaring through an intense, melt-your-face-off solo that has everyone in awe. It’s a surprisingly emotionally intense song, and they play to the beats of it perfectly while keeping the crowd in the palm of their hand.

Taking back the stage for our encore with Lzzy opening with “This one’s for Ozzy”, before playing a cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Perry Mason’. Starting respectfully and true to the original before taking it to an infectious, loud Halestorm twist that has everyone singing along at the top of their lungs.

“Here’s to Ozzy Osbourne, Here’s to Birmingham. Here to rock and roll. Here’s to us. Here’s to all of us tonight!” An entire crowd of outstretched arms to the ceiling, a slow sway that carries across the scale of the arena. Passionate fans join in word for word for a perfect slower encore number that connects everyone in the crowd, no matter what their background. 

Ending on ‘Everest, from the new album, with insane belts from Lzzy that soar and last an infinite amount of time with the power of a true rock star behind them. Halestorm are a true icon of what modern rock should be. Still paying tribute to those before them who have inspired, yet having firmly carved their own sound and inspiring others in their journey. Mixed with indisputable stage presence and charisma, we can’t wait to catch them at the next gig!

Words and photos: Tyler Whiting