Saturday was European power metal night in New York City with Helloween and Hammerfall. This concert wasn't even on my radar but when I had to cancel going to a couple and saw I had an opening, this concert fit nicely into my schedule. I also managed to get two tickets from a twitter friend for a nice discount so my gf came along. What a fun night it turned out to be!
We got there just at 7pm and by the time we were inside Hammerfall were already on. I've seen them 3 previous times (all as openers) so I knew what to expect. Fun set that started a bit slow but had the crowd totally into it by the end. I thought it was funny that one person had a child on their shoulders up front and near the end of the set the singer said something along the lines of "this is not school" and I definitely thought that was directed at the person who's child was likely blocking a lot of people's view. I mean, I don't think having a kid on your shoulder is the worst thing, but that kid was up there for most of the set and I think that's not right. Funny thing, I've seen Tim's pics and some others on social media and it looks like they have played with the Helloween screen behind them displaying a Hammerfall image, but at my show, they had a back drop behind them instead. I think I'd rather the screen to help light things up a bit.
Helloween were pretty awesome. I'm not a huge fan of theirs and this was my first time seeing them, so I didn't really know all their history and music, but you kind of get the idea when there's multiple singers and guitarists that this is a band that's re-united. I thought the singing between the two main singers was fantastic. They did a soft song together with their arms around each other. It was really sweet. Kiske was just so good though, easily my favorite of the singers and stood out the most. Even my gf was very impressed with him and not just because he could sing but because he could understand what he was singing. I loved the pumpkin drum kit, felt like that was something unique for their stage show. Also, the videos played for each song were really well done. Besides Kiske, the guitar playing from all three was another stand out. So many solos and unisons which I really enjoyed. I definitely left the show more of a fan than what I arrived. If you are a fan, you should definitely check them out. I scooped up a tour tshirt that had both bands on it for $40 on the way out. Felt like this would be a good shirt to wear at Progpower in September.
Helloween & Hammerfall LIVE @ Terminal 5 New York City, NY 5/20/2023Next up.... tonight!
May 23rd - Avatar, Veil of Maya & Orbit Culture @ Webster Hall, New York City NY
also in future cram concert news... my brother finalized his bachelor party plans which knocks out three summer concerts I was planning on seeing. None of which were must sees so I'm good (if he had picked Metallica weekend, I'd be livid). But my summer is looking wild and I'm likely doing a work trip that will negate some of these... but here's the tentative list:
May 27th - Alestorm & Gloryhammer @ Irving Plaza, New York City NY
June 4th - 311 @ Bader Field, Atlantic City NJ
June 9th - Rhapsody of Fire, Wind Rose & Seven Kingdoms @ Gramercy Theater, New York City NY
June 10th - TLC & Shaggy @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
June 17th - Tarja @ Irving Plaza, New York City NY
June 23rd - Avenged Sevenfold & Falling in Reverse @ Madison Square Garden, New York City NY
June 24th - Streetlight Manifesto @ Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park NJ
June 28th - Dream Theater, Devin Townsend & Animals As Leaders @ Hulu Theater, New York City NY
July 14th - Taking Back Sunday & The Maine @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
July 15th - Less Than Jake & Voodoo Glow Skulls @ Irving Plaza, New York City NY
July 16th - Brett Michaels, Night Ranger & Jefferson Starship @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
July 18th - Dave Matthews Band @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
July 28th - Mudvayne, Coal Chamber, Gwar @ Jones Beach, Wantagh NY
July 19th - Godsmack & Staind @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
August 2nd - Snoop Dog & Wiz Khalifa @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
August 4th - Metallica, Pantera, & Mammoth WVH @ Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford NJ
August 5th - Fall Out Boy & Bring Me The Horizon @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
August 6th - Metallica, Five Finger Death Punch, & Ice Nine Kills @ Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford NJ
August 8th - Incubus & Badflower @ Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asubry Park NJ
August 15th - All American Rejects & New Found Glory @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
August 17th - Slightly Stoopid, Sublime with Rome, Atmosphere & The Movement @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
August 19th - Kamelot, Battle Beast & Xandria @ New York City NY
August 24th - Smashing Pumpkins, Interpol & Rival Sons @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
August 25th - Ghost & Amon Amarth @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden NJ
September 3rd - Foreigner & Loverboy @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
September 7th - Beast in Black, VOLA, Halo Effect… Day 2 Progpower @ Center Stage, Atlanta GA
September 8th - Kamelot, Caligula’s Horse, Green Carnation…Day 3 Progpower @ Center Stage, Atlanta GA
September 9th - Myrath, Unleash the Archers, Delain… Day 4 Progpower @ Center Stage, Atlanta GA
September 10th - Lynyrd Skynyrd & ZZ Top @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
September 11th - Beast in Black & Dance with the Dead @ Gramercy Theater, New York City NY
September 12th - Greta Van Fleet @ Madison Square Garden, New York City NY
September 13th - Delain & Visions of Atlantis @ Gramercy Theater, New York City NY