Devil's Gate Music
Related Articles
“I have this idea…hear me out”, with AB vocalist/guitarist Myles Kennedy calling the suggestion a “no-brainer”, planning began. Indeed, Tournier got called onstage by Kennedy to soak up the applause from the crowd as thanks for suggesting the gigs. What’s stunning about the footage is that it reveals how little rehearsal Alter Bridge had with the orchestra. You could be forgiven for thinking that they had months of rehearsal to fine tune everything, but it turns out that the first rehearsal was only two days before the first gig, and as AB guitarist Mark Tremonti explains, they only rehearsed each song once. This is not merely a live concert movie: running time is close to three hours. Some fantastic backstage/rehearsal footage breaks up the concert itself and works really well. The viewer gets an insight into not only what is involved in such an event, but the mindset of the band. Bassist Brian Marshall reels off all the famous bands that have played this historic venue, while drummer Scott Phillips talks about how, during rehearsals, he was so wrapped up watching the orchestra that he missed his parts! The opening strains of “Slip To The Void” hint at what’s to follow. After the quiet intro from Kennedy, AB fans know that the band are crashing in any minute. But when they do crash in with the added weight of the orchestra behind them, it is spine tingling. Tremonti has this amazing smile on his face that says it all: the spectacle is overwhelming. The cameras pick up on the reaction from the band. Incredibly it’s not just another gig, this is something special. Bassist Brian Marshall looks around him and takes it all in. Myles Kennedy mouths “wow” as the band pause for their first breath. The first time that Kennedy talks to the crowd, he mentions all the familiar faces amongst the die-hard fans in the crowd, and how it feels like family. Alter Bridge fans from all over the world came to pay homage and they were not disappointed. There is a strong connection between the band and their fans, and if you needed further proof watch the lady in tears as “In Loving Memory” is aired, or the tears shed during the montage of fan reactions. The subtle camera work is never intrusive and rewards the viewer with so many natural moments. This was not your usual Alter Bridge setlist. In amongst staples like “Before Tomorrow Comes”, “Cry Of Achilles”, “Brand New Start” and “Ghost of Days Gone By” there are some rarities and one in particular never played before. “Words Darker Than Their Wings” can only be described as show-stopping. The rehearsal footage catches Kennedy telling Tremonti that he is “still really nervous about it”, and he’s not putting it on. Marshall tells him that it sounded awesome but you can actually sense that he is really nervous about performing it. Tremonti tells the camera that the song is amongst both his and Phillip’s top three Alter Bridge songs, and the response from the crowd when it’s aired is one of the reasons that we all love music so much. That moment when a band drops a nugget into the setlist and you spit your pint out. Yeah, that moment. Check it out above and watch for the moment when Kennedy holds the high note and Tremonti looks on in total admiration. The orchestra is amazing. Kennedy jokes that he wasn’t expecting an orchestra so hip, and was expecting them to be stuffy. With his shaved head, piercings and flesh tunnel, conductor and musical director Simon Dobson is anything but stuffy. Kennedy describes him as “a rockstar” and Dobson is certainly that. Multiple times the camera catches him throwing some rock moves, digging the music, watching Tremonti melting faces. Then there is the orchestra itself, complete with assistant musical director and orchestra manager Will Harvey. The tattoos, ripped jeans and headbanging give the game away, these are cool cats.They enhance everything during the performance, never over-powering at all and it all seems so natural. It wouldn’t be an Alter Bridge review without mentioning “Blackbird”, and the solo that was awarded “the greatest guitar solo of all time” by multiple magazines and websites. With the heartfelt string arrangement behind it, it can only be described as goosebump inducing. Expertly shot, this is arguably the greatest concert movie of all time. Available September 7th on multiple formats. Review – Dave]]>
