Alestorm – Bringing the Seas and the Storm to the Stage

Venue: Midway Music Hall, Edmonton, Alberta

Date: April 6th, 2024

The salty air of adventure permeated Midway Music Hall as Scottish metal legends Alestorm descended upon Edmonton for a night of raucous revelry and epic tales of the high seas. Known for their unique brand of “pirate metal,” Alestorm brought their infectious energy and sea-faring anthems to a vibrant crowd, turning the venue into a rollicking pirate ship on a stormy night.

From the moment they stepped onto the stage, Alestorm wasted no time in commandeering the audience’s attention. Opening with the thunderous “Keelhauled,” the band immediately set the tone for the evening, with frontman Christopher Bowes leading the charge with his commanding presence and signature keyboard melodies. As the crowd raised their tankards in salute, the venue erupted into a sea of headbanging and fist-pumping.

One of the highlights of the night came in the form of “Drink,” Alestorm’s anthem to the joys of alcohol and camaraderie. The infectious chorus had the entire audience chanting along, creating an electrifying atmosphere that seemed to transcend the confines of the venue. With each swig of imaginary rum and every shouted refrain, it was clear that Alestorm had tapped into something truly special.

Throughout the set, the band showcased their musical prowess with tight instrumentation and blistering solos, courtesy of guitarist Máté Bodor and bassist Gareth Murdock. Songs like “Shipwrecked” and “Nancy the Tavern Wench” allowed each member to shine, with drummer Peter Alcorn driving the rhythm like waves pounding against a ship’s hull.

But perhaps the most memorable moment of the night came during the encore when Alestorm unleashed their epic rendition of “Fucked with an Anchor.” The crowd roared with laughter and disbelief at the audacious lyrics, it was impossible not to be swept away by the sheer absurdity and infectious energy of the performance.

As the final notes faded into the night, Alestorm left the stage to thunderous applause and chants for more. Their ability to transport their audience to a world of swashbuckling adventure and drunken revelry is a testament to their skill as performers and storytellers. For those lucky enough to be in attendance, it was a night of pure, unadulterated fun that will be remembered long after the last echoes of the concert hall have faded away. Raise your tankards and hail the kings of pirate metal – Alestorm reigns supreme on the high seas of heavy metal!

Opening for Alestorm were two bands, Elvenking and Glyph.

 

Elvenking delivered a spellbinding performance at Midway Music Hall, captivating the audience with their folk-infused metal melodies and infectious energy. From anthemic classics to intricate instrumental showcases, the band’s dynamic stage presence and passionate delivery left fans craving more. A truly enchanting night of music.

Glyph electrified the stage at Midway Music Hall with their pulsating beats and infectious energy. From start to finish, their performance was a relentless onslaught of hard-hitting riffs and catchy hooks that had the crowd moving from the first note to the last. A high-octane show that left no doubt about Glyph’s ability to command the stage and leave audiences begging for an encore.