REVIEW: Top 2022 concerts so far — featuring Halestorm, Alice Cooper, Beasto Blanco
Photo: Alice Cooper’s latest solo record is Detroit Stories. Photo courtesy of the artist / Provided by press site.
So, let’s do a Top 10 list … but with some ground rules.
A Top 10 concert list is an intriguing idea, a chance for a music reviewer to crystallize some thoughts on the rocking good time they have had at communal concerts over the past few weeks and months. These praises can help future concertgoers navigate the live music scene and maybe snag a ticket for an upcoming tour date for these stellar acts. Plus, the COVID-19 pandemic kept everyone indoors for years, so enjoying live music feels especially important right now (even if it’s still dicey out there).
But here are the ground rules: This reviewer did not see every concert known to humanity — obviously. That understood, there are both mainstream and eclectic choices on this list, most of them centered in the New York and New Jersey area. They are exclusively rock, but there’s some metal, some punk and some straight up rock thrown in. Many of the acts — but not all — are frequent presences on “classic rock” radio stations, which shows this reviewer’s age a bit.
10. The Offspring, seen at the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in May 2022
The Offspring packed the pavement of the Stone Pony Summer Stage in the early days of the summer music season in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The pop-punkers had the crowd enjoying themselves, waving their devil horns and banging their heads. They leaned heavy on the classic tunes from the 1990s, including “Self Esteem,” “Pretty Fly” and “Gotta Get Away,” but they left room to christen their latest recording effort, Let the Bad Times Roll. This reviewers especially loved their set-opener, “Staring at the Sun,” and their main set-closer, “The Kids Aren’t Alright.” Relive those memories, and gather some new ones.
9. Ace Frehley, seen at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, in June 2022
There’s a lot of news right now about Kiss. The main band’s End of the Road world tour continues to roll around the globe, with Australia dates coming up next. The four members — original bassist Gene Simmons, original vocalist Paul Stanley, guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer — put on a pyrotechnic showcase that has the band’s many hits on parade. One can only hope that before the road truly ends the two original musicians will bury the hatchet (and vice versa) with original guitarist Ace Frehley and original drummer Peter Criss. One can only hope.
That is not to say Frehley and Criss have kept quiet. Frehley constantly tours with his solo band, while Criss came out of “retirement” for a couple songs with the Australian band the Sisters Doll this year at the Cutting Room in New York City (both Frehley and Criss also appeared at a convention together, which featured former Kiss members Bruce Kulick and Vinnie Vincent). Do check out the upcoming New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival in Atlantic City, New Jersey, this September. Criss will be making a special appearance to sign autographs and pose for photos.
Now, on to the concert … Frehley’s solo show is a solid rock spectacle, which couples together his contributions to Kiss with some of his solo work. For those in the tri-state area who missed his show across the river in Pennsylvania, he’ll be appearing at the Newton Theatre in Newton, New Jersey, later this month. There’s nothing better than cheering on this guitar legend, especially when he has so much fun with classics like “Rip it Out,” “Parasite,” “Rock Soldiers” and “New York Groove.” This reviewer, who has seen him solo twice and as an opener for other rock acts twice, would love for him to go deeper into his solo / Frehley’s Comet material next time around, but again that request pales in comparison to the big ask: Can Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter ever share a stage again?
8. The Scorpions, seen at MSG in New York City as part of a tribute concert to Bangladesh, in May 2022
The Scorpions are truly the godfathers of rock ‘n’ roll, one of the first bands to come out heavier than the other acts playing in Europe at the time. They still put on a wonderful show that includes classics “Make it Real,” “The Zoo,” the instrumental “Coast to Coast” and “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” plus some new ones, including the title track of their new album, Rock Believer. Unfortunately “No One Like You” was not played at this MSG show, perhaps because of the strict 11 p.m. curfew. For those who would like to catch these legends on the road, they bring their Rock Believer world tour to the area once again in September.
7. Tool, seen at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, in February 2022
Tool as a band are unparalleled, and their most recent leg of their hugely successful Fear Inoculum tour should be at or near the top of this list. It’s only in the seventh spot because the tour has been around for quite some time, and these United States shows were finishing up the double trek around the world. Still, nothing was a rerun at the Prudential Center. The band members rocked with a blaring, ear-splitting sound that was consistently impressive and uncompromising. Check out this album, if seeing a live show is impossible.
6. Bikini Kill, seen at Irving Plaza in New York City, in July 2022
The punk band Bikini Kill have reformed and been enjoying a musical renaissance as of late. They rocked Irving Plaza a few weeks ago, right before a spate of cancellations due to COVID-19. They are original punk rockers who bring together nonstop energy with social messaging for a rousingly solid concert experience. Irving Plaza was packed with fans, both dedicated devotees from the early days to youngsters likely seeing the group for the first time. They are frequently written about as the pioneers of the riot grrrl movement in music, and their influence can be felt in a live setting. One should do themselves a favor and check out a future concert, enjoying the pulsatingly infectious “Don’t Need You,” “This Is Not a Test” and, of course, “Rebel Girl.” Check out upcoming dates here.
5. Elton John, seen at various venues in 2022
Elton John is offering his long musical goodbye to adoring fans throughout the world. He kicked off his “Farewell” tour before the pandemic, and he has been making the rounds this year in arenas, ballparks and stadiums. His show, which begins promptly at 8 p.m., is a no-holds-barred, unapologetic hit parade, which is not a bad thing at all. In fact, that feels entirely appropriate, being that this could be it for Sir Elton. He doesn’t get up from the piano too much anymore, but his singing voice is strong and his piano playing is always amazing. Fans in the U.S. can catch him from now until November, when he plays his final shows in the country — fittingly enough, a three-night stand at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Expect to hear, well, everything from his songbook. There’s hardly a hit that is missing.
4. Beasto Blanco, seen at Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey, in July 2022
If Beasto Blanco does not ring a bell, correct that mistake. This superb rock band, fronted by guitarist/vocalist Chuck Garric and vocalist Calico Cooper, are electrifying in concert. They take the stage with boundless energy, pounding the notes and belting the lyrics into the audience’s brains for more than an hour. Their recent concert — the final one on their mini July tour — took place at the intimate Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey. Those lucky few who were in the crowd were in for a special treat because the beast did not disappoint.
Is there any better way to start a concert than by singing a song titled after the band? Yep, that’s what Beasto Blanco did; they played “Beasto Blanco,” and it immediately set the right tone. Other tunes included “Freak,” “Machine Girl” and the catchy “Breakdown.” Perhaps the highlight was “Grind,” which has a real energy and movement to its licks.
The group’s visual aesthetic is fascinating. They are dressed almost like extras from Mad Max: Fury Road, and they have stagecraft that is reminiscent of Alice Cooper (not surprising giving Calico’s father is Alice, and Garric is the bassist for the shock rocker). Check out this band, and give them the credit they deserve.
3. Judas Priest, seen at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, in March 2022
Judas Priest, under the command of vocalist Rob Halford, has not lost much rock credibility over its 50 years of existence, and this year they finally get their due with a much-deserved entry in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Their live show is an unrelenting journey into the influential band’s vast songbook, with too many highlights to pinpoint (but nothing beats “Touch of Evil,” sorry). All of the theatrics are there, from the on-the-stage motorcycle to the patent leather. Halford and company are true originators of heavy metal, and they deserve to be seen and celebrated.
2. Alice Cooper, seen at various venues in 2022
Confession: Alice Cooper is a rock god, and this reviewer sees him multiple times per year. It’s almost unfair to have him compete against anyone else on this list because the love is that strong. Needless to say, the 2022 concerts have been nothing short of magical … and bittersweet. Longtime guitarist for the band Nita Strauss has stepped aside and joined the Demi Lovato band, so the concerts Alice had on the East Coast earlier this year proved to be her final U.S. shows with the shock rocker (at least for now). No worries, when school is back in session this fall, Alice will be bringing around Garric on bass, Ryan Roxie on guitar, Tommy Henriksen on guitar and new/old member Kane Roberts on guitar. That’s right, Alice has three guitars on stage, which brings the sound to 11 each night.
1. Halestorm with The Pretty Reckless, The Warning and Lilith Czar at various venues in 2022
Excluding the classic acts, the best rock band working right now is Halestorm, and the best new rock album of the year is Back From the Dead. There’s simply nothing like Lzzy Hale’s voice and guitar work, and her stellar band put on a truly rocking good time when experienced live. Their current tour includes dates with The Pretty Reckless (an excellent group that has so many wonderful tunes, most especially “Witches Burn”), The Warning (watch out for this trio from Mexico because they are headed places) and Lilith Czar (one of the best in the biz).
Halestorm recently played the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, and Hale made an astute comment from the stage about the venue. She said they had played that amphitheater many times as an opener (including a memorable concert in 2019 with Alice Cooper), but that night was their first time as the headliners. Well deserved, indeed.
Try not to love to “I Am the Fire,” one of the best songs in recent years from any rock band. Try not to find the social importance of a pandemic tune like “Back From the Dead.” Try not to feel empowered after listening to “Freak Like Me” or “Raise Your Horns.” Try not to rock out to “Love Bites (So Do I),” “Strange Girl” and “I Miss the Misery.”
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
