By photojournalist Allison Davis

Sunday night marked the final US tour date for Alter Bridge at the Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa before the band heads off to Europe, followed by a run through South America this fall.

If anyone out there has read my reviews before, you already know I might just be the Queen of Nostalgia. This piece, obviously, will not waver from those hints of the past.

First off, growing up in the “Biggest Little City in the World” (Reno, Nevada), I am no stranger to casinos. Back home, you could literally walk into any grocery store and try your luck at a slot machine before buying your milk and eggs. Insert the nostalgia here…

With the exception of only one other show I’ve attended at the Hard Rock in Tampa, I am not a frequent flyer in the gambling world. However, because of those Reno roots, walking into a place like this immediately transports me back to another lifetime. The atmosphere, the rhythmic chiming of the machines, and even the smoke-filled air bring it all back. I actually went back home this past March to visit family and photographed a show for some dear friends at one of the casinos while I was there; being at the Hard Rock last night was incredibly reminiscent of that recent visit. I may have spent half the night having flashbacks, but in the best way possible, of course.

I also have to give a quick shoutout to a local favorite. Our very own concertgoer Medicine Man was in the house last night too! We stopped and chatted for a bit, and he showed me some videos he had taken from the back of the room. By the way, they were actually quite good!

But let’s get to the music part of the story. I’m sure at this point everyone is caught up on how Alter Bridge came to be, but just in case you aren’t, here is a little backstory.

Alter Bridge formed in 2004 right in our very own backyard of Orlando. Following the 2003 pause of Creed, members Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall, and Scott Phillips teamed up with powerhouse vocalist Myles Kennedy (formerly of The Mayfield Four) to launch a heavier driven rock project.

Side note: I had the opportunity to see Creed front-and-center in January 1998 well before their massive explosion into mainstream popularity, with my best friend at a small, intimate venue in Reno. Which will always be the night we remember as the night we went home with bruised shins, as the woman in front of us was a little too into the music. Yet another slice of nostalgia for the taking!

Anyhow, you get the gist. Alter Bridge has become its own absolute powerhouse with a distinct sound to love. Its members also boast plenty of incredible side projects. Most notably, guitarist Mark Tremonti recorded an entire album of Frank Sinatra covers backed by Old Blue Eyes’ surviving original orchestra members. In a class act move, 100% of the proceeds from the album and merchandise go directly to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and his Take A Chance For Charity organization.

Let’s talk about the songs because the setlist was a serious journey.
”Silver Tongue,” and let me tell you, it immediately set the tone. From there, they just kept hitting us with favorites like “Addicted to Pain” and “Ghosts of Days Gone By.”

One of the coolest moments of the main set was when Mark Tremonti took over lead vocals for “Burn It Down.” The guy is just an absolute force. But then Myles Kennedy completely shifted the energy, bringing the whole room down to a hush for a beautifully raw, acoustic performance of “Watch Over You.” It literally gave me chills. And of course, you can’t have an Alter Bridge show without “Metalingus” the entire crowd was screaming every word, and the energy in the Hard Rock was just insane.

The crowd wasn’t finished just yet , as they started chanting “Alter Bridge” over and over until the band came back to the stage. When they came back out for the encore, they absolutely blew the roof off the place.

First up was “Blackbird.” Seeing this masterpiece live is honestly hard to put into words. That soaring dual guitar solo between Myles and Mark felt massive, and it’s easy to see why it’s the emotional heart of their whole catalog.

Florida couldn’t have been a better place to wrap up the US leg of the What Lies Within Tour. While supporting acts for the broader tour included Filter, Sevendust, and Tim Montana on various dates, Tampa got a heavy-hitting lineup featuring Filter and Tim Montana.

While I have seen Filter before, Tim Montana was a brand-new experience for me. (Also, as a disclaimer, if Sevendust makes it back to Tampa Bay and onto my review calendar, I have a whole other story for you about them too, so stay tuned!)

Ultimately, the night was full of exciting firsts for me, whether it was discovering the music of Tim Montana, shooting from the security steps from the sound booth at the Hard Rock for the first time, or finally seeing Alter Bridge live. I have to say, the night went beautifully. I left with a smile on my face and a few more core memories for my book.

As always, I walk into these opportunities with a grateful heart and walk out with even more gratitude. So until my next show, remember to always get out and take in live music. Even if it’s a genre or a band you aren’t used to, you just might find exactly what you’ve been missing!