Fozzy, Escape The Fate & Scarlet Rebels, Patti Pavilion, Swansea, 10.11.22
Tonight the Patti Pavilion, the Swansea crowd is ready for a night of pure rock and roll. I arrive to a palpable excitement in the air, a raw enthusiasm, a sense of expectation, Fozzy have come to town.
Due to traffic I missed most of Scarlet Rebels but they started things off with their own brand of hard rock, the crowd responsive and energetic, a worthy opener for what is soon to follow.
Soon after Escape The Fate (8) take to the stage, the energy rises. They rip into a songs of old and recent with joy and abandon, Ashley, Issues and Broken Heart standout tracks in a packed setlist electrifying with both melody and heaviness. Vocalist Craig Mabbitt strikes a triumphant figure as the band whip the Swansea crowd to a frenzy, the pit a blur of bodies as feet stomped and horns are raised. The band leaves the stage to rapturous applause, the energy lifted significantly.
The moment arrives, Living Next Door To Alice of New World & Smokie fame blasts out, the crowd singing along (rude chorus inserted) before Fozzy (8) take to the stage. Frontman Christ Jericho (yes, THE Chris Jericho) fills the stage with personality as the band fly straight into Sane from latest album Boombox, the pace is set and does not falter.
Regarded by many as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Jericho is every bit the rock star front man he is keen to be defined as when fronting Fozzy. The group blazes through an excellent set list, balanced well with songs both new and old, and the odd tasteful cover (Fozzy says relax a show highlight). I Still Burn, Martyr No More and fan favourite Enemy with extended guitar solos from the excellent Billy Grey & Rich Ward elevates the atmosphere in the room to a fever pitch.
Jericho has the audience in the palm of his hands, a commanding entity throughout, guitars still humming as they salute the crowd and leave everyone wanting more. Fear not, more arrives with a crushing performance of Judas followed by a cover of AC/DC's Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. A bow is taken and the crowd erupts, Fozzy came to entertain and did so with force. Every band played with a sense of fun and enjoyment that absolutely translated to the crowd.
Due to traffic I missed most of Scarlet Rebels but they started things off with their own brand of hard rock, the crowd responsive and energetic, a worthy opener for what is soon to follow.
Soon after Escape The Fate (8) take to the stage, the energy rises. They rip into a songs of old and recent with joy and abandon, Ashley, Issues and Broken Heart standout tracks in a packed setlist electrifying with both melody and heaviness. Vocalist Craig Mabbitt strikes a triumphant figure as the band whip the Swansea crowd to a frenzy, the pit a blur of bodies as feet stomped and horns are raised. The band leaves the stage to rapturous applause, the energy lifted significantly.
The moment arrives, Living Next Door To Alice of New World & Smokie fame blasts out, the crowd singing along (rude chorus inserted) before Fozzy (8) take to the stage. Frontman Christ Jericho (yes, THE Chris Jericho) fills the stage with personality as the band fly straight into Sane from latest album Boombox, the pace is set and does not falter.
Regarded by many as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Jericho is every bit the rock star front man he is keen to be defined as when fronting Fozzy. The group blazes through an excellent set list, balanced well with songs both new and old, and the odd tasteful cover (Fozzy says relax a show highlight). I Still Burn, Martyr No More and fan favourite Enemy with extended guitar solos from the excellent Billy Grey & Rich Ward elevates the atmosphere in the room to a fever pitch.
Jericho has the audience in the palm of his hands, a commanding entity throughout, guitars still humming as they salute the crowd and leave everyone wanting more. Fear not, more arrives with a crushing performance of Judas followed by a cover of AC/DC's Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. A bow is taken and the crowd erupts, Fozzy came to entertain and did so with force. Every band played with a sense of fun and enjoyment that absolutely translated to the crowd.
Let it be known, rock and roll came to the Patti Pavilion and a good night was had by all.