Alter Bridge, Shinedown and The Raven Age at Nottingham's Motionpoint Arena

Shinedown with Alter Bridge's Walk The Sky tour, Nottingham UK

With the original lineup for Alter Bridge's Walk The Sky tour of the UK and Europe being Alter Bridge, Shinedown, and Sevendust, this was not going to be a tour that I would miss; three bands that can easily headline their own tours in the USA, all on the same bill! Sadly, Sevendust had to cancel their participation - drummer Morgan Rose having been taken ill. (Good news is that he is recovering.)

The Raven Age, Nottingham

The Raven Age, British melodic metalcore with a smidgeon of Iron Maiden-esqe vocals stepped in to open the show and it was wonderful to see an opening act given the benefit of lights appropriate for the arena setting. That doesn't always happen.

Fan's light show for Shinedown: Nottingham, UK

Shinedown put on a huge show: animated, interactive, emotional, exciting and full of bounce. Attention, Attention! Shinedown are in town! Playing all the rabble-rousers including Monsters, Get Up, and Cut The Cord, they also included their memorable cover of Lynard Skynard's Simple Man. The crowd let Brent Smith and co know that they could have gone on all evening. Shinedown definitely have enough of a UK following these days to have earned their own headline tour one of these days; playing to a capacity crowd in Motionpoint Arena just took them one huge step closer.

The were so very cool. I enjoy Shinedown more and more every time I see them. Even Brent's monologues make me smile these days.

Alter Bridge, Walk The Sky tour, Nottingham, UK

But then... Alter Bridge. Their latest album, Walk The Sky, was released just a few weeks ago on October 18th. I have been lucky enough to see and photograph them several times previously in the USA - in festival environments in Chicago and Houston - but never before in a major indoor venue with the incredible light show that was part of Saturday night's experience in Nottingham, UK. The whole show was a stunning experience; being way up in the gods with a view over the crowd to the band, it was Alter Bridge's haunting and inspirational rock through visual fireworks that only added to a very, very memorable evening.

Alter Bridge, Nottingham UK, 2019

The Alter Bridge setlist was seventeen songs long and included Burn It Down with Mark Tremonti taking the vocal lead as a twist... but Myles Kennedy's range is always stunning, clear and haunting. You can't fault Alter Bridge; vocals, Tremonti and Kennedy's guitars always different yet complementing each other; Brian Marshall's deep-diving bass, and all underpinned by "Flip" Philips' drums... what a show. What a show!!!

And they gave us Blackbird. Yes, they did. I love that song and it has such a very, very special place in so many people's hearts. Thank you for that.

The Walk The Sky tour continues: tonight in Birmingham, UK, then Friday night at Motorpoint Area in Cardiff, Wales and Saturday at the O2 Arena in London. One of those tours where you wish you could go to each and every venue and experience it all, over and over again.

Alter Bridge, Walk The Sky tour, Nottingham UK

(I was at the show for the music - not as a photographer this time. All photos are taken from the crowd on a Xiaomi Mi 8 phone: they work on a small screen, but don't think of trying to zoom in. How I wish I had been able to cover these performances with proper cameras and the type of access that Marillion allows me... I never, ever take that type of access for granted.)

More photos here:
- Alter Bridge, Nottingham, 2019
- Shinedown, Nottingham, 2019

See also:
- Photos from other Alter Bridge shows
- Myles Kennedy, Year of the Tiger

Alter Bridge, Nottingham Motionpoint Arena, 2019

It's (the Cromer Pier) Christmas (Show)!!!!!!

Cromer Pier Christmas Show 2019

Christmas is in full swing at the end of Cromer Pier - the extra-special, family-fun, super-entertaining, dancing-singing-magical Christmas Show! Starting with Santa and taking a journey through places as diverse as the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia (Laurel and Hardy) and south-east London (Only Fools and Horses), with dance styles from classical ballet to tap and a heck of a lot of acrobatic high kicks and jumps, and card tricks and illusion and fun and a whole load of laughter, the show is a magical machine that transports you, for a couple of hours, out of the mundane day-to-day world into a special place that exists only at the end of the pier, in Cromer's Pavilion theatre.

Cromer Pier Christmas Show 2019

Saturday night, and the 500-seater theatre was full: second show of the day for the talented crew. Compere and local funny man Olly Day knows this venue well - back for the eleventh time! The Modern Magician  Mark James returns too and has some great tricks up his sleeve (or in his pocket, or even inside an egg, which he then makes into an omlette): vocalists Harvey James and Fiona Jessica Wilson (who also plays a mean electric cello - beautiful sound); young dancers from Cromer's Marlene's School of Dancing, and the wonderful Cromer Pier Show dancers who make the stage feel as big as a ballroom. Light and sound are just perfect for the venue and the whole show flows through rapid scenery and costume changes from beginning to end.

Harvey James and Fiona Jessica Wilson, Cromer Pier Christmas Show

Mark James, Cromer Pier Christmas Show 2019

The Twelve Days of Christmas are novel... and hilarious!

Cromer Pier Christmas Show Dancers

I love the ballet; I want to photograph more ballet. Pretty please.

Mark James and Olly Day, Cromer Pier Christmas Show 2019

The Cromer Pier Christmas Show is pure entertainment - you won't find anything like it at the end of a pier anywhere else in the world. Grab the opportunity and a ticket for the family: the show runs until the end of December, and you can book tickets here or at the box office on the pier.


More photos from this year's Christmas Show here!
And photos from earlier Cromer Pier Shows are here, too.

Cromer Pier Christmas Show 2019

Marillion with Friends from the Orchestra Tour: first night tonight!

Marillion with friends, 2017, Leicester

Marillion's tour opens tonight with a sold-out show at the Royal Philharmonic in Liverpool... continues on Sunday in Nottingham at the Royal Concert Hall and then around the UK, finishing up with two dates at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Find all the tour dates here - there might be one or two tickets available somewhere but you're going to have to search for them as dates are already sold out or have limited availability (and that's because it's going to be an amazing set of concerts: here's the link to the accompanying album, on sale now from Racket Records).

See you somewhere on the tour!!!

Marillion photo galleries: http://www.alisontoon.com/-/galleries/music/marillion

Aftershock 2019: Highly Suspect (and MCID, out now!)

Johnny Stevens, Highly Suspect, Aftershock 2019

Highly Suspect were the first band at Aftershock 2019 to walk on stage with a dog. Don't worry, the pup didn't stay once the music started... but it was lovely to see the band accompanied on tour by their fur friends.

Highly Suspect, Aftershock 2019

I was introduced to this band several years ago, 2015, probably through SiriusXM Octane... (yes, I'm still upset that Octane is not available in the UK) we were driving down to Santa Cruz from Sacramento for a weekend by the sea, and this voice... this voice, this sound, came through the airwaves to us somewhere on that long drive, there and back, and that was it: hooked.

Ryan Meyer, Highly Suspect, Aftershock 2019

Whether they are playing to a huge festival crowd or a tiny venue (the Boardwalk in Orangevale, CA, comes to mind) they give their all; dates for European shows sold out seemingly in minutes (they have added more UK and European dates recently for early next year).

Rich Meyer, Highly Suspect, Aftershock 2019

Highly Suspect's latest album, MCID, was released today, November 1st. Take a listen: well worth adding to your collection.

Matt Kofos, Highly Suspect, Aftershock 2019

Setlist from Highly Suspect's Aftershock 2019 performance, click here.

Johnny Stevens, Highly Suspect, Aftershock 2019, Sacramento California

More photos from Highly Suspect's performance at this year's Aftershock in the photo gallery.

For earlier photo galleries, click here.

Previous reviews: Serotonia, Aftershock 2015, Orangevale 2016, Aftershock 2017

Highly Suspect, Aftershock 2019

Aftershock 2019: Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson, Aftershock 2019, Sacramento California

When you go to see, and especially when you photograph, Marilyn Manson, people always ask: did he show his naked (body part)? Did he do (something shocking)? Did he burn (something flammable and offensive-to-some-when-burned). And what did he throw at you this time?

Marilyn Manson, Aftershock 2019

The answers from Aftershock 2019 are: Yes, Possibly, Probably, and No.

Yes, because Marilyn Manson did show part of himself naked (and appeared to be fumbling with other bits), but not during the first song so I have no photographic proof though I swear it is true; Possibly, because other than the answer to question one, nothing that I personally witnessed; Probably, because I was told that he did over and over again by a woman who was screeching at the big screen in the VIP area telling us all that Manson is Satan - he Burns the Bible (though I have no primary research to prove that satan actually does that); and surprisingly, Nothing, because this time he threw nothing at all at the folks in the pit! This time there were no missiles, he faced the audience for the entire first song, and - nice surprise - even smiled.

Dressed in black with makeup reminiscent of Joker on a bad day, shrouded in smoke, as always a wonderful challenge to photograph and capture the person, the band, the atmosphere.

Marilyn Manson, Aftershock 2019

I think Marilyn was really enjoying himself -- and anyone who worries about the "shocking" or "offensive" stuff - as if anyone still does - should really remember that he's much more a performer than an incarnation of the devil. (At least, that's what I choose to believe!)

Paul Wiley, Marilyn Manson, Aftershock 2019

Setlist for Marilyn Mansons' performance at Aftershock 2019 can be see here.

Marilyn Manson is currently on tour with a few more dates left - including Hallowe'en in Las Vegas!

Marilyn Manson at Aftershock 2019

Photo gallery with many more photos from Aftershock 2019 in Sacramento, California: click here.

Previous show photo galleries: click here!

Aftershock 2019: Korn

Korn, Aftershock 2019

There was something magical about seeing Korn from within a huge crowd in Northern California, at Aftershock festival 2019 - locals, and people from all around the state, country, and world: to be amidst a mass of fans, dancing, singing along, headbanging. Being part of a twenty-five year celebration of Korn's music; more a retrospective of those years and not, as we might have expected, the tour-of-the-new-album The Nothing - indeed, they played just one song from the latest release, "You'll Never Find Me" - but rather the show was a happiness of friendship and fellowship and following of this band, a family of tens of thousands, all in Discovery Park Sacramento, watching the guys from Bakersfield, just down the road from Sacramento.

Jonathan Davis, Korn, Aftershock 2019

That's an assessment of proximity in USA terms. It's around four hours drive from the state capital to Korn's hometown down highway 99, down through the Central Valley: almost an identical distance as from London to Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the UK. I will happily drive that kind of distance to see them, again and again. I'll even get on a plane and fly halfway around the world, for that matter. There's only a few bands that generate that kind of loyalty.

Korn, Aftershock 2019, Sacramento California USA

Sacramento embraces this band like a homecoming, and it's the third time they have appeared at Aftershock festival - and Jonathan Davis brought his solo show last year, too.

You can find the Korn at Aftershock 2019 setlist here, on setlist.fm. Songs from all the way through their musical career, from Korn released in 1994 right through to Rotting In Vain from 2016's Serenitiy of Suffering and the latest album.

It was a joyful - yes, I use that word in the same sentence as "Korn" - it was a joyful performance. It made me happy. I think, at the end, I was crying. It was huge and it left many, many happy people.

Jonathan Davis, Korn, Aftershock 2019

The Nothing - such an excellent, moving, emotional, painful and yet beautiful album - absolutely deserves its own tour, if you listen to it purely for the musical value. If you know - to any degree - the story and motivation and trauma that gave birth to the lyrics, you might also expect it to be an album where a song is played here, there, not everywhere, not every show. It's musical genius and it's heartbreak and it's my favourite album of 2019 to date. And yes, there is a lot of competition.

Munky, Korn, Aftershock 2019

Korn have a full set of international festival appearances planned for next year, including Download in the UK. Be there!

Many more photos here in the Korn at Aftershock 2019 photo gallery.

Check out photos from previous shows here, and reviews here on Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos.

Jonathan Davis, Korn, Aftershock 2019

Aftershock 2019: Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie, Aftershock 2019

On the Kolas Discovery Stage, Saturday of Aftershock festival in Sacramento 2019: Rob Zombie!!!

Rob Zombie and John 5, Aftershock 2019, Sacramento, California

Always one of my favourite performers to photograph, because his show is so darn challenging. Intense lighting, smoke, rapid movement, and whirling beard, locks, fringes. Zombie's eagle eyes, John 5's illuminated grill, and such a fun stage presence for the entire set.

Rob Zombie, green incarnation: Aftershock 2019

The setlist for Rob Zombie at Aftershock 2019 can be found here on setlist.fm.

Rob Zombie, in red, Afteshock 2019

Catch Rob Zombie next in Mexico, at Knotfest meets Forcefest, with Slipknot in Mexico City.

Many more photos in the Rob Zombie at Aftershock 2019 photo gallery

Also see all Zombie photo galleries here, and previous reviews here and here.

Rob Zombie, Aftershock 2019

Aftershock 2019: Lamb Of God

Randy Blythe, Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019

"This is where shit gets real", said one of my colleagues in the photo pit, at 6.18 pm on Friday, 11th October, "Oh yes... this is where it gets real."

Mark Morton, Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019

Friday, the first day of this year's Aftershock festival. And he was right: there had already been many excellent performances by really good bands including the Dropkick Murphys, Halestorm, I Prevail, Clutch: Phil Anselmo and the Illegals had roused and stirred up a crowdstorm, but... at 6.20 pm Lamb of God walked onto the Monster stage, and the real party was on.

John Campbell, Lamb Of God

Willie Adler, Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019

Regardless of your taste in music, or preference in theatre, or art or design or architecture or even cuisine, there's something tangible, something irresistible, something immediately recognisable about performers that exude that higher-level "something": who bring that inexplicable extra dose of magic, a level above the rest. Lamb Of God did just that: it did, indeed, get very, very real. Someone turned up the volume; someone increased the speed; someone made the focus blinding, razor-sharp, like a samurai blade dripping water from Randy Blythe's upturned water bottle as he rushed the stage, strapped up knees be damned.

Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019

OK it wasn't quite a spiritual experience, but it wasn't far off: it was Lamb Of God, on stage, on target, and on fire.

Lamb of God have a tour of Europe (including five dates in the UK) planned for early next year. You might just find me there. #newfan

Randy Blythe, Lamb of God, Aftershock 2019

Many more photos in our Aftershock gallery for Lamb Of God - click here.

More reviews and photos from Aftershock 2019: Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos and Alison Toon Photographer music galleries.

Randy Blythe, Lamb of God

Aftershock 2019: Ho99o9

Ho99o9 at Aftershock 2019

Extreme energy on the Coors Capital stage at Aftershock 2019: Ho99o9!

Ho99o9, Aftershock 2019

From the first seconds of the show when Eaddy launched himself into the audience it was obvious that this was going to be an interesting, intense performance. Hip hop? Punk? Rock? Musical Art? However you want to categorise Ho99o9's style, it's entrancing... a bit like watching a delicately-crafted train wreck or a beautiful demolition. I don't admit to understanding the lyrics, yet, but I'll certainly be back for more! Great show!

Ho99o9, Aftershock 2019

(If you're a fan of Fever 333 or Death Grips, be sure to check out Ho99o9.)

Ho99o9 at Aftershock 2019

Many more photos in our Aftershock gallery for Ho99o9 - click here.

More reviews and photos from Aftershock 2019: Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos and Alison Toon Photographer music galleries.

Aftershock 2019: The Hu

The Hu, Aftershock 2019

Perhaps the most unusual - and global - performance at Aftershock festival in Sacramento, California, this year happened on the smaller Coors Capital stage, by a band from Mongolia. The Hu combine traditional folk instruments such as the morin khuur, flute and tsuur and Mongolian vocal style ("throat singing") with heavy metal.

The Hu, Aftershock 2019, Sacramento California

Currently on tour in the USA - including another date in Sacramento, at Holy Diver, on November 30th (if you had instead headed to another stage at Aftershock and missed the set, this is a new opportunity - grab it!!!). The tour is extensive, with dates around the USA: see if you can catch a show, you will not be disappointed.

The Hu, Aftershock 2019

The Hu released their first album, The Gereg, in September 2019, and it's available through your usual channels. If you have not yet heard them, check out the official video for Wolf Totem below and Yuve Yuve Yu too!

Many more photos in our Aftershock gallery for The Hu - click here.

More reviews and photos from Aftershock 2019: Toon's Tunes/Cameras and Cargos and Alison Toon Photographer music galleries.