Alestorm / Rock City / Nottingham

Feb 27

Feb 27 Alestorm / Rock City / Nottingham

A trip into Nottingham, and to our fave venue Rock City, for a show that had all the makings of being a classic night as tonight the city welcomed Alestorm to town…. who were bringing the party with them.

And the signs were it was going to be a good one. With doors early at 17:30 it was great to see a huge crowd in ready for the first band Heidevolk, on stage at 18:00. It’s no exaggeration to say that amazingly the crowd was as big for Heidevolk as for some headliners, and the early crowd were in for a real treat.

First up were Heidevolk, a folk metal band from the Netherlands who sing songs inspired by nature, the history of Gelderland, and Germanic mythology and most of their songs are sung in Dutch.

And boy, what a performance they delivered ! Using two singers that combine perfectly, one deep and powerful, and the other adding a higher tonal element, the effect is brilliant (think like Ensiferum). As with much folk metal, it’s the kind to punch the air with fists raised or to chant along heartily to, and there’s no better examples of this than Yngwaz Zonen with its slower pounding drum beats and chants, and then there’s the powerful tracks like Wolf in my Heart and Drinking with the Gods that deliver the Nordic vibes to full effect. The latter introduced when the crowd are asked ‘where do we drink with the Gods?’ and at one, they shout back Valhalla !

Heidevolk were brilliant with a sound that sits somewhere in the middle between the powerful viking beats of Amon Amarth, and the more delicate and ritualistic sound of the likes of Heilung and Wardruna.

I’m not the only one, the big crowd are chanting along, metal horns in the air, loving every second.

Setlist

Intro (Ver Verlangen)

Hagalaz

Klauwen Vooruit

Wolf in my Heart

Yngwaz Zonen

Britannia

Ostara

Drinking with the Gods

Vulgaris Magistralis

Outro (Zomervuur)

After the usual strip down and set up on stage, it’s time for Finnish folk metal band Korpiklaani to take to the stage. It’s hard to believe Korpiklaani were formed back in 2003 in Lahti, and since then they’ve released 12 studio albums. Led by the charismatic Jonne Järvelä on vocals, Sami Perttula (accordion), Jarkko Aaltonen (bass), Olli Vänskä (violin), Samuli Mikkonen (drums) and Kalle Savijärvi (guitar) they hit the stage flying.

A good friend and fellow photographer described Korpiklaani to me as being like The Levellers on speed, and that’s not far from the mark lol. The energy levels never drop and the crowd are lapping it up. The musical style is not the well trodden path of viking inspired tales, but a much more punk-fuelled folk style (akin to the Levellers). The look also has that Romany feel to it, the songs having that fast pace and hypnotic tone, created by the duelling accordion and violins. A great example of this is the brilliant track Aita.

The time just flies by and before you know it, an hour has flown by. The set comes to an end with their well known live set drinking songs Beer Beer and Vodka, a fitting end to whats felt like a party on overdrive.

Tonight showed that Korpiklaani still have plenty to offer, and if the night had ended now, with Heidevolk supporting and Korpiklaani headlining, I think we would all have gone home happy….. but there’s still more to come.

Setlist

Man with a Plan

Wooden Pints

Happy Little Boozer

Pilli on Pajusta Tehty

Ievan Polkka

Gotta Go Home

Aita

Tuli Kokko

Pixies Dance / Juokse Sina Humma

Pidot

Levaluhta

Metsamies

Saunaan

Beer Beer & Vodka

A longer break to clear the stage and set it up ready for headliners Alestorm. As we head into the pit for the first three songs, we are great by a ginormous bright yellow inflatable rubber duck in the centre of the stage !

Alestorm were formed in Perth, Scotland (originally started as Battleheart in 2004) they released their debut “Captain Morgan’s Revenge” in 2008. Their style of metal is based on folk tales and pirate adventures, leading to the badging of them as a ‘pirate metal’ band. The current line up consists of Chris Bowes (vocals and keytar), Gareth Murdock (bass), Peter Alcorn (drums), Elliot Vernon (keyboards and vocals) and Máté "Bobo" Bodor (guitar).

Although the crowd was big from early on, their ranks have swollen now, and the place is packed to the rafters, many dressed up in pirate attire, with blow up parrots, eye patches and tricorn hats. Its really a sight to behold.

Alestorm bound out onto the stage and dive straight into Keelhauled and its clear from the outset, the band are all about fun (as if the giant inflatable rubber duck wasn’t a bug enough of a give away !) dressed in a black and vivid green scene, Bowes is resplendent in his black/green kilt, while Bobo is wearing tight bright green short shorts that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a 80’s home workout video ! The track is a full on metal blast !

The delivery is excellent, and the surfers are starting to come over as they run through hit after hit, including great versions of the likes of The Sunk’n Norwegian, Treasure Chest, Party Quest and Wenches and Mead. In particular Magellan’s Expedition was outstanding. The crowd are loving every second,and it’s clear there is no such thing as too many songs about pirates, beer, rum, wenches !

The theatrics and fun keep on coming, with someone walking on dressed as a shark in a kilt…. Go figure ! The beauty of their songs is a reliance on loud, raucous singalong choruses, that just hook you in every time.

Alestorm released the track Voyage of the Dead Marauder with German YouTube sensation, singer, songwriter and hurdy-gurdy player Patty Gurdy, and she’s recorded a number of tracks with them. And as a surprise they welcome her onto the stage as a special guest. Well worth checking out onYouTube as well as a great hurdy-gurdy player she has an incredible voice that contracts and compliments the band perfectly, and the crowd are cheering along.

The highlight of the night for the crowd is their anthem Drink which has the loudest singalong of the night which is followed by the riotous Zombies Ate My Pirate Ship and the polite little number Fucked with an Anchor !!!

Alestorm were brilliant, perhaps the perfect pirate party band around. I have been to many many great shows in recent years, but I have to say, tonight was right up there as one of the best. Firstly, we had three excellent bands who were all on top form. Three very different styles of folk metal, which complimented each other so so well, a brilliant surprise special guest, but also great value for money. I don’t think I’ve been to a three band show with so much stage time. Heidevolk did a 40min set, Korpiklaani did a full hour,and then to top it all off Alestorm gave us a 20 song setlist !

Quite simply a brilliant night in every way, and three bands I highly recommend to see live, if you get the chance.

Setlist

Keelhauled

No Grave but the Sea

The Sunk’n Norwegian

Alestorm

Under Blackened Banners

Treasure Chest Party Quest

Hangover

Wenches and Mead

Magellan’s Expedition

Mexico