It was a mid-July night. Connecticut was in the throes of a typical Summer heatwave. Bridgeport’s Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater felt like it was nestled in the middle of a Louisiana swamp. When you thought it couldn’t get any hotter, a night of hard-hitting rock turned the thermostat up high!
The night of badass women who rock kicked off with Lilith Czar. Formerly known by her given name, Juliet Simms, Czar delivered a powerful set of rock/metal songs that mesmerized the crowd. The change from Juliet to Lilith is more than name alone. While Juliet was a rocker, Lilith is a demagogue who commands her audience with a fierce presence. Clad in a white shirt and black leather pants, she is anything but black and white. She is an artist who reaches into her complex past to deliver a web of introspective songs designed to teach and inspire. She is backed by a band that is anchored by drummer Lindsay Martin. With her hair flying and an ever-present smile on her face, Martin is a joy to watch!
The Warning took the stage next and kept the energy level high. These three sisters from Mexico are gaining traction in the US rock scene with good reason. The Villarreal sisters formed a band in 2013 and there has been no looking back, only forward. Aged 17 to 22, they have talent that belies their age. Guitarist/vocalist Daniela has the stage presence of a long-time veteran. Vocalist/drummer Paulina was profiled in Tom Tom Magazine at the age of 12. After watching her perform, you can understand why. Bassist and youngest of the sisters is Alejandra. She carries herself with an air of aloofness as she pounds out her rhythmic bass lines. They will be crisscrossing the US and Canada in support of Halestorm and Three Days Grace through the rest of 2022 no doubt gathering more fans as they go.
As the sun set, the next to hit the stage was Taylor Momsen with her band, The Pretty Reckless. As with Czar, Momsen commanded her audience’s attention. Her voice was powerful in a way reminiscent of Amy Lee or Ann Wilson. Looking at the former actress, one would not expect a voice so powerful from such a small frame. Dressed in a black negligee with calf-high Doc Martin-like boots, she strutted the stage in fashion model style with a rock and roll attitude.
TPR is touring on the acclaimed 2021 release, “Death By Rock And Roll”. The album takes on topics of gender inequity, coping with death, and hope in the world to come. This, their fourth studio album, shows they have the ability to tackle deep personal feelings in a compelling manner. They manage to bring those deep feelings out in their live shows as well as their albums. Guitarist Ben Phillips, bassist Mark Damon, and drummer Jamie Perkins make up the rest of the band and they compliment Momsen’s vocals without overpowering them. I’m sure they won over more than a few new fans who were there to see Halestorm, and rightly so.
Pennsylvania’s mighty Halestorm closed out the night of “Women Who Rock”. Lzzy Hale fronts the band that consists of her younger brother Arejay on drums with Joe Hottinger on lead guitar and Josh Smith on bass. They released their fifth studio album this year titled “Back From The Dead”. The common thread of mental health weaves its way through the tracks. That’s not surprising as the album was developed during the pandemic when many were going through very difficult times.
Lzzy is a no-nonsense front woman who brings to mind the ultimate badass of women who rock, Joan Jett. She hit the stage with a black leather jacket that did not last long in the heat. Her growling guttural vocals were on point through the show but she did take some time off from the rockers to show off her musical prowess. At one point, Arejay and Josh left the stage as Lzzy and Joe performed an acoustic version of “Terrible Things”. Joe left the stage giving Lzzy the spotlight to perform a pair of riveting solo songs (“Break In” and “Raise Your Horns”) while she played piano. The green-haired Arejay also had his moment in the sun with a tremendous drum solo which wowed the crowd.
It would have been easy for the performers to take it easy in the swamp-like conditions but that was not the case. All four bands gave it their all and the crowd responded. They put the heat aside and gave Connecticut a show it won’t soon forget. The tour ends during the second week of August. Get out and see it if you can! Tour dates and locations can be found HERE.
