Tremonti // The End Will Show Us How Tour // Florence Black // Live Review // The Limelight // Belfast
It is Friday night and we are back in Belfast once again to catch up with the mighty Tremonti playing The Limelight once again, the last time I was here I sat down with Mark and discussed the world as we knew it and that glorious MT100 head which was in development at the time. Tonight I can see it sorting up onstage ready to be rocked within an inch of its life! Tremonti always makes an effort and play both North and South of Ireland when they cross the pond, that is not lost on me, so many bands make the journey and will stop off in Dublin and forgo the 90-minute journey up the road to Belfast to appease their Northern fans, but not Tremonti, or Alterbridge for that matter.
The guys are back supporting the release of their latest album The End Will Show Us How and what an album it is, like a fine wine Tremonti is just getting better with age, they have a vibe all their own, separate from Marks’s other projects and with Mark on vocals it’s a breathtaking package all round. Mark is a stellar vocalist, which catches so many by surprise, myself included the first time I heard him sing, but I am an old hat now and take the lad for granted! He has the Midas touch and everything he does indeed touch turns to gold, some people just have the mojo and Tremonti is steeped in it!
In support, we have once again in Belfast Florence Black, what a band, this trio are absolutely savage and will give Tremonti and the boys a run for their money. I caught them for the 1st time live next door supporting Massive Wagons just next door and for me they stole the show that night, a monstrous and majestic performance made them stand out for me and they are one of the best support bands I have seen play In quiet a while, well deserving of a headline show of their own over here and hopefully, after two killer shows someone will open that door for them, if you wanna know what the future if UK rock looks and sounds like, check out Florence Black.
When Ttemonti hit the stage you can tell by their stance they mean business, looking at one another ready for battle! And they get stuck right in, opening with ‘Wish You Well’ a blistering track they unleash unholy hell upon The Limelight to remind the Florence Black boys who’s boss! The sound is as thick as treacle, Marks MT100 sounds glorious as he slams on his guitar like his life depends on it, supporting guitarist is playing a gold top DGT – well played Eric I’ll even give you a Touche as I have one myself! Eric is a killer guitarist and as Mark later eludes to has been ripping it up with him for over 30 years as friends and over six odd albums together, this is the real beauty behind the music, the relationships forged on the road, in the studio and the countless hours in the rehearsal room. All played out over a 90-minute set in full force for all to enjoy.
Mark tried to apologise as he feels his voice is like shit tonight but the room is rocking and nobody is judging, we just wanna feel it, every thrash of that guitar, thump on that bass and tearing off those skins behind that ferocious drum kit, and Tremonti always deliver! Mark may be a little under the weather but it doesn’t show one bit, ever the performer he knocks it out of the park, as does his ever-solid backline. With no shortage of material to work through we are treated to numerous tracks of the latest recording and favourites off the older albums, every song greeted with a roar of approval and a passionate embrace.
Belfast loves a good rock and metal show and tonight is certainly no different, the room is rammed, front to back and side to side, as Mark calls for everyone to get out their phones and light them up for ‘Dust’ Of course everyone obliges. As Mark talks between songs you can hear his voice strain a little, it means I’ve got to respect him even more for forging on ahead with the show as delivering those vocals must be tough. “Catching Fire” was up next and was one of my highlights of the night, the riffs he tosses out during this tune were just epic, the staccato bit mid-song just hits you right between the eyes! You go gurl ! The boys wrap up the initial part of the set with ‘Marching In Time’ as Mark once again apologises for his croaky voice and thanks the crowd for rocking out with him, the pleasure of course is all ours. As the lads leave the stage for the obligatory encore callback the Norn Irish crowd bursts into Ole Ole Ole, sure you wouldn’t be in Ireland without it.
For the encore we are treated to ‘Wicked Things’ and as Mark belts out the first lines acapella sounding like he’s auditioning for Glee I think to myself, there’s bout wrong with his voice! They slam it and wrap things up with the killer ‘A Dying Machine’ and as the last chords ring out I think to myself i am sure Mark will be ready to get some R&R but instead he spends maybe 10 minutes acknowledging the fans up front who have clung onto dear life to get a pick, a wave and a hello as he sits and chats with a group for a while. The rammed venue means it’s slow clearing but the mood is buoyant. Tremonti has restored our faith in humanity, while it seems everything else around us is burning down around us, we’ll always have good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll! Dublin, you’re up next!
Tremonti for president.
I’ve been Mark, you’ve been lovely, till next time.
Photography: Mark McGrogan
Go to MarkTremonti.com for more details and to buy tickets.
07.02.25 GB – Belfast / Limelight 1
09.02.25 IE – Dublin / Academy
11.02.25 GB – Birmingham / O2 Institute
13.02.25 GB – Manchester / O2 Ritz
14.02.25 GB – London / O2 Forum Kentish Town
16.02.25 FR – Paris / Alhambra
17.02.25 BE – Antwerp / Trix
