Alter Bridge / AO Arena / Manchester

Mar 1

Mar 1 Alter Bridge / AO Arena / Manchester

With a date clash for the show in Nottingham at the Motorpoint Arena, we headed up to Manchester and the AO Arena, to catch Alter Bridge on their 2026 UK ‘What Lies Within’ tour. Having recently reviewed their self-titled eighth studio album, this was a show we did not want to miss ! (Check out our album review HERE).

We last saw Alter Bridge in December 2022, when they toured with Halestorm and Mammoth WVH. Since then, Myles Kennedy has taken some time out to tour with Slash and his solo co-headline UK tour with Devin Townsend, and Mark Tremonti toured the UK with his band Tremonti. Having recorded a new album, it was time to see what Alter Bridge had to offer this time round !

First up in support are Sevendust, an American rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1994 by bassist Vinnie Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose, and guitarist John Connolly. The trio are joined by Lajon Witherspoon (vocals) and Clint Lowery (guitar).

They released their self-titled debut album in 1997, and have released fourteen albums, most recently 2023’s “Truth Killer”. Sevendust are working on a new album set for release this year entitled “One”.

I’d not seen Sevendust before, but was thoroughly impressed with their short opening set. There was a hunger, and an energy about their performance that’s hard to beat, served with some crushing power riffs and heavy beats that had the crowd soaking it all in right from the off. Their sound seemed designed for big arenas and Lajon certainly knew how to work a crowd, foot on a monitor, interacting, smiling and pointing at folk throughout.

On drums Morgan, face painted more like a drummer from Murderdolls was impressive, giving the sound its heart, making the speakers reverberate, whilst Vinnie on bass, along with Clint and John on guitar, prowled the stage relentlessly, swapping places whilst they delivered some killer riffs.

What I enjoyed most, was it wasn’t all power, they have a finely tuned sound that balances more complex melodies with some razor sharp sections, all drawn together by Lajon’s powerful voice.

A great set, and those that arrived early certainly experienced something special.

Setlist

Black

Denial

Is This the Real You

Enemy

Praise

Crucified

Face to Face

Next up are Daughtry, an American rock band formed and fronted by namesake Chris Daughtry, who was a finalist on the fifth season of American Idol. Their self-titled debut album was released in November 2006 and reached number one on the Billboard 200 and sold more than six million copies in the United States.

They’ve gone on to release six studio albums, the most recent being 2025’s “Shock to the System – Part 2”.

As the set opened up with Divided from the most recent album, it was clear Daughtry had a different tone from Sevendust, having a more arena rock ballad sensibility, compared to the previous serving of heavier riffs.

Right from the start, it’s clear that Chris Daughtry’s voice is the centrepiece of the performance, delivering long sustained and powerful vocals and able to shift registers with ease, packed with rich tones. An impressive figure too, muscular in ripped jeans and black waistcoat, with black out arm tattoos, short beard and shaved head, an imposing figure for sure!

Another new track The Bottom was next, which again was packed with rich textures and emotion. Chris’ vocals float across the music and seem to fill every corner of the arena. The material from the new album adds an emotional heaviness which the crowd react well to.

The opening track It’s Not Over from their 2006 self-titled debut was a real highlight, an anthemic power ballad that had the Manchester crowd singing along in unison. Mid way through the set we got an acoustic version of Home also from them debut album, a soft and mellow ballad about lost love, that had a sea of mobile phone lights raised around the arena.

The set closed with Artificial from the 2024 EP “Shock to the System – Part 1”a great set closer, packed with great riffs and melodies and a chorus section, designed to be shouted out loud.

An impressive performance, and a different feel from Sevendust. I like that, when there’s a different feel to the sounds from each band. It gives the night a bit of variety.

Setlist

Divided

The Bottom

The Day I Die

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) (Journey cover)

It's Not Over

Home (Acoustic)

Antidote

The Dam

Pieces

Over You

Heavy Is the Crown

Artificial

All set ready for the arrival of Alter Bridge, who are an American rock band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 2004 by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Myles Kennedy, lead guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips after their former band Creed became inactive the year before. They released their debut album “One Day Remains” in 2004 and their eighth studio album “Alter Bridge” in January 2026.

The lights dimmed and the atmosphere rose another level as one by one they stepped out into the spotlight. They opened the set with Silent Divide the opening track of the new album. It opens with a power guitar riff before the drums and bass kick in. The cheers roar out as Myles starts to sing. Mark struts round the stage with a broad grin on his face, clearly loving it.

Alter Bridge deliver a crisp, tight performance throughout. I have to say, the material from the new album fit in to the live set perfectly, complementing the older material so well, and adding a new dimension to the show.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a less than stunning performance from Myles Kennedy and tonight was no exception. His vocals were spot on, swapping effortlessly from delivering power and then muted emotion as required. Part way through Mark took centre stage on the vocals for Burn It Down from 2024’s “One Day Remains” the change in pace and tone a great pivot point in the middle of the set. His guitar playing is almost robotic – precise and unwavering throughout delivering riff after riff.

The visual presentation was excellent as well with large screens at the rear of the stage and banks of powerful white spots that searched out into the sea of fans. As the set draws to a close, we head back to 2004’s “One Day Remains” for Metalingus which opens with its iconic drum rolls before the twin guitars kick in with a ferocious sound. Its power rock at its finest, and raises the temperature in the arena yet another notch resulting in the loudest crowd chanting of the night. The crowd are bouncing and lovin’ every note and nuance.

It’s followed by the 2017 single Blackbird which draws cheers from the Manchester crowd, with it’s delicate guitar notes and subtle emotional vocals. It feels dark and moody, and it builds, and intensifies as it rolls on, the vocals increasing in tone and strength. A stunning moment.

Finally the night draws to a close with Isolation from 2010 ‘s“AB III” a dose of raw power, delivering some of the best, most intense riffs of the night. A fitting finale to an incredible night of rock.

Alter Bridge show us once again, that they’re right at the top of their game. Tight, precise and majestic. Myles, Mark, Brian and Scott deliver a performance for the ages.

Their next visit to these shores can’t come soon enough as far as I’m concerned.

Setlist

Silent Divide

Addicted to Pain

Cry of Achilles

Playing Aces

Fortress

Burn It Down (Mark on vocals)

Open Your Eyes

Tested and Able

Broken Wings

Ghost of Days Gone By