Two decades in, Alter Bridge aren’t reinventing themselves live in 2026, and that seems just fine with Atlanta fans. Ostensibly on the cusp of older millennials and younger Gen X, the band drew an audience of all ages, maybe the parents of their core fans who first took them to shows, and certainly their kids wearing earmuffs while their parents rocked. And why not? Hard rock is classic rock for every generation, and Alter Bridge sits comfortably in that space.
It could be said the band arrived fresh from their recently completed European tour, this being just their second show of the U.S. run. Visibly, particularly singer Myles Kennedy and guitarist Mark Tremonti, they appeared to be having a great time performing. For a band whose origins were rooted in discontent with Creed, their songs and performance refreshingly lack dark moods, soured outlooks, or even gloomy lighting. There’s a place in music for that, but Alter Bridge is more about joyful release, and it showed.
From the moment the intro music fades, it’s massive mid tempo riffs, precision tight rhythm work, and vocals that aim for the rafters just shy of where they once lived. “Addicted to Pain” and “Burn It Down” land exactly where they should, big, loud, and built for communal release. The setlist below reflects three songs from their self-titled release, Alter Bridge, woven in with staples from across their catalog.
If you’re hoping for deeper cuts like “Words Darker Than Their Wings” or “Slip Into the Void,” those would likely come at the cost of crowd favorites, and the newer material fits seamlessly into the set. Regardless of era, their music remains deliciously melodic hard rock, and Kennedy’s tenor and Tremonti’s guitar work continue to translate beautifully live. If you’re on the fence based on social media clips of Kennedy’s vocals, it’s the recording or the venue, not the singer. He was in fantastic voice this night. As was Tremonti’s vocals on “Burn It Down,” no surprise to fans who dig into the band’s lore and know he’s taken on Frank Sinatra material for charity.
I lean more toward guitars than vocals, and Tremonti remains the band’s ear candy for me. His playing is still as sharp as ever, disciplined where needed and explosive when it counts. The riffs carry the fire, but the solos, especially on “Blackbird,” are the moments I want live.
Music is, in many ways, about age. Where you were, what you felt, or who you were with when you first heard a song. You get older, and your rock heroes do too. They still rock, and you can right along with them. Alter Bridge’s tour continues through May across the U.S. before returning to Europe in June.
Setlist:
Encore:
Given the close, long-standing relationship between Alter Bridge and Sevendust, it’s no surprise that they would open for this show. After all, it’s Sevendust’s hometown as singer Lajon Witherspoon referenced several times through the evening. Indeed, he may have favored to singing to family or friends in the balcony at stage right. No problem with that! Also, Witherspoon’s appeal for knowing good from evil and moral unity always has, or should have, a welcome home in Atlanta.
Similarly, while fans sported shirts from both games, there was a strong sense that everyone was ready to see both bands. What’s not to love? Aside from Witherspoon roaming the stage, guitarists Clint Loery and John Connolly traded riffs and solos with a lived-in chemistry, while drummer Morgan Rose drives everything forward with controlled intensity.
Nevermind being a great opener, they own the stage on their own merits, and the 11-song set was a winner.
Setlist:
Singer and guitarist Tim Montana began the evening, opening with an obvious nod to mentor Billy Gibbons with a ZZ Top tune. Actually, a partner, as they co-own a hotel and bar in Wise River, MT. Montana remarked he was going to call it quits at age 40, but at 39 and a half, he scored a hit with “Devil You Know.” Fun, hard rocking set, with plenty of audience engagement.
