One of the hottest tours this spring is the Sixx AM and Apocalyptica tour that is making its way across the US and Canada. Most of the shows have been sold out, as was the case this past week in Toronto. Both bands have just released new discs, most recently, Apocalyptica on April 21st, and each are hungry to showcase the new material in front of a live crowd. This is the first headlining tour for Sixx Am and their first tour of any kind since the 2008 Cruefest.
Apocalyptica opened up the show debuting their new singer Franky Perez. Playing in front of a sold out crowd added some zest and hunger to the Finnish symphonic metal band. Led by their power trio of cello players Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso, they played an impressive set that consisted of both instrumental and non-instrumental songs. Besides the aforementioned, the backing beat is strictly held down by Mikko Sirén who pounded his way through the evening, demanding attention to his underrated talents. Even though Apocalyptica’s set was only about 45 minutes long, they really left an indelible mark. They opened up with their first single “Cold Blood” off of “Shadowmaker.” They played a few tracks that they are known for including Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters.” Each of the three cello players took their turn spearheading certain songs throughout the set.
Headliner Sixx Am picked up where Apocalyptica left off and kept up the pace and at times exceeding it. The ever so talented James Michael led the charge throughout the night with his voice and his piano playing. The song “Drive,” was a noteworthy highlight because they took the Cars classic and made it their own. With a concentrated focus on the lyrics, and not so much the music surrounding it, they turned it into more of a wonderful composition that it already was.
The band opened up with the 5th song off of Modern Vintage titled “Let’s Go,” a most appropriate opener for sure. They kept the momentum going with up-tempo “Give Me a Love.” As soon as the band took the stage immediately some panties were thrown towards guitarist DJ Ashba. He proceeded to hang them on his headstock and parade around the stage with them for the first song or so. Bassist Nikki Sixx took time to make his statement also, when he took the microphone halfway through the set to officially announce he will not be retiring and that Sixx Am will be doing another record and touring in 2016, to thunderous applause.
This was vocalist Michael’s show and boy did he shine. He’s everything you want in a great front man; the voice, the look and the charisma. He kept the audience entranced with ease. He sang the hell out of all the songs and then held back when needed. On the catchy pop oriented “Miracle,” Michael kept the track in check and delivered.
The drummer for the tour is Bleeker Ridge’s Dustin Steinke who hails from Orillia, Ontario, only an hour and half up north, so this was obviously an exciting homecoming for him. He fit right in and it was a great selection.
Look forward to more Sixx A.M. in 2016 as the band only has a few dates remaining on its current run before Sixx rejoins Motley Crue for its last tour ever.
Sixx A.M. setlist:
Let’s Go
Give Me a Love
Relief
This Is Gonna Hurt
Pray for Me
Dead Man’s Ballet
Accidents Can Happen
Miracle
Live Forever
Gotta Get It Right
Drive (The Cars cover)
Help Is on the Way
Goodbye My Friends
Lies of the Beautiful People
Stars
Encore:
Skin
Life Is Beautiful
Apocalyptica setlist:
Cold Blood
Grace
Inquisition Symphony (Sepultura cover)
Nothing Else Matters (Metallica cover)
Shadowmaker
I Don’t Care
In the Hall of the Mountain King (Edward Grieg cover)
We would like to thank Paula Danylevich from Hype Music, Livenation Canada and Eleven seven Music for the credentials to review the show. Stay tuned for interviews with James Michael of Sixx A.M. and Mikko Sirén of Apocalyptica.
