Hello ACR readers
So sorry for the delay in getting this posted, it’s been a long week!
After the awesome success of my interview with Lzzy Hale of Halestorm last month, I was invited to see their show in London, ON November 12th (one week ago today, in fact!). Due to scheduling conflicts I was not able to make the Halifax/Moncton dates – so thankfully Halestorm’s management were amazing and hooked me up… and did they hook me up!
-Enjoy!
I have to say, this experience as a whole was one of the coolest experiences of my life. This was not only a career high for me as a journalist, but it was a real dream come true as a die hard “Freak” to be able to get to interview Lzzy, and be given the chance to see them FINALLY play live! What happened next was incredible – and a complete surprise!
During my vacation last week in Detroit, MI, I found out via management that I would be meeting not just Lzzy Hale, which would have been amazing on its own, but I also got to meet Arejay (Drums) , Joe (Lead Guitar) and Josh (Bass) in person at the London Music Hall the night of the show I was to review. Yep, the entire band! Needless to say I was one happy journalist.
They all walked out after just having completed their sound check before the show. Having my favourite band walk out, and all hug me, and not have to introduce myself at all was definitely a first – a great first, at that! I want to share something about the meeting that really made me laugh. When I met Arejay Hale (Drums), he approached me with arms open and said “Sarah Friend!” Anyone who’s ever seen the movie, “Labyrinth” knows exactly what I am talking about 😉 – if you don’t – check out the movie and all its awesome wonder (David Bowie + Muppets + 80s cheese – What could be better?!) It was completely hilarious and adorable, and the inner nerd child in me was ecstatic.
The entire meet and greet experience was fantastic because it was just myself, Justin and Halestorm. There was no huge line of people waiting behind – just us. We were able to actually have a chat, and talk about the Atlantic Canadian dates (WHICH THEY LOVED, BY THE WAY – YOU GUYS WERE AWESOME!) I made sure to tell them to come back as often as possible, and I think they will. As you can see below, we got a few nice photos with them, as well as awesome autographs!
As we were getting ready to depart, Lzzy approached me and thanked me for the interview, help in the success of the Atlantic Canadian dates and she handed myself and Justin guitar picks that she had been using for the past few weeks – At this point I was dying to see them play live now…
8pm finally came and the fan packed the London Music Hall was in anticipation of Halestorm coming to the stage. They walked out and opened with “Apocalyptic” – a perfect heavy song to get the crowd moving. Their set list is one that is NEVER the same, so it was always exciting to see what song they would be playing next. With songs like their newest single “I am the Fire” from their new release, “Into the Wild Life”, and fan favourites “Love Bites”, and “Freak Like Me”- you had better believe the crowd, much like Halestorm, was live, loud and electric. Lzzy’s vocals were flawless that night, never missing a note. Arejay, who I will forever refer to as “Animal” after seeing him, never stopped. His drum solo was a show within itself! Whether he was behind, standing next to, or on top of the drum kit, he was a monster musician and the crowd ate it up. Joe’s guitar playing abilities are sick – he took that and ran with it as he connected musically with the crowd all night. Josh is an incredible bassist who never plays exactly what you expect, and it shows! He’s Brilliant. The band’s chemistry on stage as a whole was incredible, and you could completely sense it throughout their entire performance.
Thank you to Halestorm, and their incredible management – Lzzy, Arejay, Joe and Josh – it was an real honour have been given the chance to meet you all and review your show – THE highlight of my career. I can’t wait to see you finally on Atlantic Canadian soil, and I know I am certainly not alone in this.
If you haven’t seen Halestorm live before, you’re really missing out on an incredible rock experience. To our friends in Western Canada, they’ll be finishing up the cross-Canada tour over the next five nights with you – here are the dates:
Nov 20 Shaw Conference Centre Edmonton, AB
Nov 21 MacEwan Hall Calgary, AB **Sold Out
Nov 22 The Casman Centre Fort McMurray, AB
Nov 24 Prospera Place Kelowna, BC
Nov 25 Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, BC
If you want learn more about Halestorm, or purchase their music – Check out their website! http://www.halestormrocks.com
It is also available on iTunes, Spotify, and you can check out their music videos on YouTube!
Peace, Love and Music
~Sarah