Tremonti / O2 Academy / Bristol

Feb 10

Feb 10 Tremonti / O2 Academy / Bristol

It seems like only yesterday that I was Alter Bridge at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, watching Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti basting out some immense guitar riffs together on stage. Having recently seen Myles on his solo tour with Devin Townsend, I was really looking forward to Tremonti’s visit to the O2 in Bristol on the “The End Will Show Us How” tour.

But first in support is a very special treat, and another treat to sees Wales’s favourite sons Florence Black. From the South Wales valleys, formed in 2012 by Tristan Thomas (vocals & guitar), Perry Davies (drums) and Jordan Evans (bass) have been friends since childhood. They released their first self-titled EP in 2017, and their first album “Weight of the World” in 2021. 2024 saw their sophomore album released “Bed of Nails”

Their sound is a powerful mix of influences, at its heart a dark grunge filled doom metal mixed with more traditional rock with hints of classic Fleetwood Mac. And what a start to the night this was ! Always outstanding, Florence Black launched into the set with power and intensity aplenty starting off with Start Again. And they didn’t disappoint, and were the heaviest I’ve heard them.

It’s always a good sign when the venue is packed for the support as tonight, and it bears testament to their popularity on the scene. Far from being a support, it felt like this was the first of tonights headliners lol. After the first song, a voice starts up the “oggy oggy oggy” chant and the band join in with an instrumental backing as the crowd respond “Oi Oi Oi”.

Then we’re into Bed of Nails and The Deep End which set the tone and Look Up went down a storm with the crowd. For me, the highlight was a wonderful version of their hit Zulu which had the crowd singing along to. The short set ends with Sun & Moon a song inspired by that feeling when you wake up and you can sense it’s either going to be a really good day or a really bad one.

The only bad thing here was the shortness of the set, but it’s always a good day when Florence Black are in town performing.

Setlist

Start Again

Bed of Nails

The Deep End

Look Up

Rockin' Ring

Zulu

Sun & Moon

Time for a quick trip to the bar to cool down (its getting warm in here with a big crowd in from the start) and I return to the side of the stage in time for the introductions for Tremonti.

An American heavy metal band founded and fronted by lead vocalist and guitarist Mark Tremonti, perhaps best known as the lead guitarist of the rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge. Joining Mark are Eric Friedman on rhythm guitar, Tanner Keegan on bass and Ryan Bennett on drums.

Originally a solo project, Tremonti has grown in a band in its own right and they’ve released six studio albums from 2012’s “All I Was” through t the latest release earlier in 2025 “The End Will Show Us How”

Mark’s CV speaks for itself, and he is one of the most respected guitarist around in the metal/rock scene. As the band walk out onto the stage the crowd erupt, cheering and clapping as they take up their positions, before launching into Cauterize. And it was clear….. this was going to be something special. The band's music is departure from the fair from Mark Tremonti's main bands, with a much more raw, thrash influence with some delightful melodic vocals.

This was a special performance in so many ways, none more so than the connection between Mark, band and crowd. All the band members are filled with energy with Tanner throwing some impressive shapes on bass. There is a mutual respect and a sense of everyone being part of the whole.

But the centre of attention is Mark, and he is an imposing figure centre stage and holds the audience in awe throughout. The set is just packed with bangers, like Tomorrow We Will Fail, The Things I’ve Seen and Throw them to the Lions. And throughout Tremonti rules the stage with his intricate guitar skills. Not the extrovert kind, the usual shouts and banter is not there, but his interactions with the crowd are still incredible, and somehow more intense, deeper, more meaningful. Its easy to should “Love you Bristol” for a cheer, but Mark connects on a more individual level.

The new album “The End Will Show Us How” features heavily in the set and the new material fits in so so well. As the set draws to a close, we end with A Dying Machine and fittingly we end on Wish You Well.

This isn’t surfing and mosh pit stuff, the audience enjoy with shouts and cheers, applause and sing alongs. The band are technically masterful Mark is on outstanding form, his vocals note perfect. His connection with the band is fantastic, as you’d expect from great friends as well as bandmates.

Tremonti and Florence Black are a show marriage made in heaven. An amazing night !

Setlist

Cauterize

You Waste Your Time

Tomorrow We Will Fail

The Mother, the Earth and I

Just Too Much

The Things I've Seen

Throw Them to the Lions

Another Heart

One More Time

It's Not Over