Alter Bridge at Citizens House of Blues in Boston, MA

Alter Bridge packed the Citizens House of Blues Boston for a night of rock and roll that spanned multiple genres and generations for the What Lies Within Tour.

Boston is in full spring swing. You can hear the crack of the bat and cheers from the crowd at Fenway Park, street performers are out entertaining people as they make their way down Lansdowne Street, and the House of Blues and MGM Music Hall at Fenway have a steady stream of concerts to choose from each night.

On this particular Mother’s Day, Boston was extra busy. An afternoon ballgame gave way to rock moms making their way to Citizens House of Blues to see rock and roll legends Alter Bridge as they make a stop in Boston on their What Lies Within Us Tour. Fans know that when they buy tickets to an Alter Bridge show, a harmonious echo riffs and solos will be on full display all night long.

Doors around 6 p.m., and by the time we made it into the venue, it was packed from floor to ceiling with fans of all ages. It felt like a family reunion for many, as Alter Bridge fans are often also die-hard Mammoth, Sevendust, and Creed fans, just to name a few. These shows have become so much more than just seeing artists play on stage, its about seeing the people they have rocked out with for years, fans who are there to see each other as much as the band. Matched with a close bond that the artists and fans have created over the decades. An appreciation of love and gratitude that is not just singular from fan to artist, but artist to fan. It makes the shows so much more energized when both ends of the show are connected together.

Tim Montana was the first to make his way to the stage, bringing a gritty hard rock, with a touch of country sound to kick off the night. The Montana native wasted no time turning the packed House of Blues into a full-on rock party. Blending outlaw country swagger with hard rock energy, his set felt was the perfect kick off for Alter Bridge crowd.

He kicked his set off with “Beautiful Hate,” a song that showcases the weathered, gritty Southern rock vocals, crushing guitar work, and hard-hitting breakdowns that embody good old Southern rock and roll. Montana is best summed up as a blend of Black Stone Cherry and Brantley Gilbert, while mixing in the raw, gritty scream style of Shaun Morgan from Seether. He strikes a perfect balance between Southern grit, hard rock intensity, and the larger-than-life energy that has defined some of the best legends in the business.

VIDEO FROM AMY MCGOWEN

Backed by a tight band and plenty of attitude, Montana ripped through a set packed with driving guitars, whiskey-soaked vocals, and blue-collar anthems. The songs leaned heavily into themes of hard living, small-town pride, and unapologetic rock and roll rebellion.

That authenticity is not manufactured, it is built from real-life experience. Growing up in Montana, the singer spent the first 18 years of his life living off the grid in a trailer. He got his first guitar at the age of 6 and learned by lanterns and candlelight how to play. An extremly rough home enviornment matched with enduring brutally cold winters, and working his knuckles to the bone just to survive and a drive to never stop working, those experiences shaped the grit and realism that now fuel his music.

At 18, Montana made a promise to himself that he would build a better life and make a name for himself. While he may have left that lifestyle behind, he never forgot where he came from, and that blue-collar mentality continues to drive both his music and his success today.

VIDEO FROM : TIM MONTANA YOUTUBE

Now 41, Tim Montana serves as proof that if you put your heart and soul into what you truly want, keep grinding, and refuse to let life stand in your way, you can make it where you want to go. Montana has experienced some incredible highs since starting his career in the late 2000s, including touring with legends like Jerry Cantrell or working alongside icons like Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.

Together, Montana and Gibbons collaborated on “This Beard Came to Party,” a song that quickly gained national attention after being adopted by the beard-loving Boston Red Sox during their 2013 World Series run. The track became synonymous with the team’s gritty, blue-collar identity and helped introduce Montana’s larger-than-life Southern rock style to an entirely new audience.

VIDEO FROM MLB YOUTUBE

He gave a nod to Billy Gibbons and ZZ Top in Boston, performing “Brown Sugar” off the band’s 1971 debut record, ZZ Top’s First Album. The blues-drenched track fit seamlessly into Montana’s set, highlighting just how much of his sound is rooted in the swagger, grit, and dirty Southern rock tones that helped make ZZ Top legends in the first place.

VIDEO FROM AMY MCGOWEN

Montana also treated fans to an upcoming single titled “Watch Me Drown,” set for release this July. Before launching into the song, Tim Montana shared a personal story about growing up between two Native American reservations in Montana. He explained that some of his earliest memories of music came from attending powwows as a child, where he would watch, dance, and feel the power of the drums and rhythms surrounding him.

Those sounds stayed with him throughout his life. Remaining connected with many of his Native friends as he grew older, Montana said he wanted to return to the land and record with them for the track. The song features recordings of tribal members woven into the intro, giving “Watch Me Drown” a deeply personal and atmospheric opening before erupting into the hard-hitting Southern rock energy of the song itself.

The set finished with “Devil You Know” off the 2024 album Savage, a record filled with emotionally charged songs that reflect the real-life experiences and struggles Montana has lived through. The anthemic energy of “Devil You Know” served as the perfect sendoff for the Alter Bridge crowd. Tim Montana has the energy, drive, and talent to continue pushing past boundaries and breaking down barriers, and judging by the reaction inside the venue, he is well on his way to achieving not only the goals he set for himself as a kid, but even the ones he never imagined possible.

TIM MONTANA SETLIST FOR CITIZENS HOUSE OF BLUES-BOSTON, MA

1.Beautiful Hate
2. Get You Some
3. Break Me Down
4. Brown Sugar
5. Watch Me Drown
6. Kinda Like It
7. Devil You Know

PHOTOS BY KERRI NELSON MEDIA

Filter was next to take the stage, shifting the night away from the good old country rock and roll energy and injecting a heavy dose of alternative and industrial rock into the venue. The darker atmosphere instantly changed the mood inside the House of Blues as pounding drums, gritty guitar tones, and Richard Patrick’s unmistakable vocals filled the room.

The band powered through a set packed with intensity, balancing crushing riffs with the electronic textures and melodic hooks that helped define late ’90s and early 2000s alternative rock. Kicking things off with “You Walk Away” off the 2002 album The Amalgamut, Filter immediately set the tone for the night with pounding guitars, industrial undertones, and the unmistakable vocal grit of Richard Patrick.

The band stayed close to their biggest hits while weaving in a few newer songs along the way. “The Drowning” off the 2023 album The Algorithm came next on the setlist and served as the perfect transition into “(Can’t You) Trip Like I Do” from the 1997 Spawn soundtrack. The pairing leaned heavily into the darker industrial textures and electronic undertones that have long defined Filter’s sound.

The band burst onto the industrial and alternative rock scene in 1993, led by vocalist Richard Patrick. Their 1995 debut album Short Bus became a massive breakthrough thanks to the release of “Hey Man, Nice Shot,” a song that quickly became one of the defining heavy rock tracks of the era with its aggressive guitars, industrial edge, and Patrick’s raw vocal delivery.

While Short Bus established Filter as a force in alternative rock, it was 1999’s Title of Record that launched the band into mainstream commercial success. The album produced massive hits like “Welcome to the Fold” and the crossover smash “Take a Picture,” which showcased a more melodic and emotionally vulnerable side of the band while still maintaining the layered textures and atmosphere that made Filter stand out in the late ’90s rock scene.

“Take a Picture” became a staple of rock and alternative radio and remains instantly recognizable far beyond the diehard Filter fanbase. At the Citizens House of Blues Boston, it created one of the standout moments of the night. Fans throughout the venue sang along as the disco ball spun overhead, reflecting lights across the packed room. For many in attendance, it felt like being transported straight back to the late ’90s and early 2000s, reliving a soundtrack that defined an entire era of alternative rock.

VIDEO FROM AMY MCGOWEN

It was a special day for Richard Patrick beyond it being Mother’s Day, it was also his birthday. Earlier in the day, Patrick had spent time enjoying Boston’s beloved Fenway Park and taking in a Boston Red Sox game before heading to the show.

During the set, the band and crew surprised him with a heartfelt video montage celebrating the incredible life and career he has lived. The tribute featured “Surprise” off of 2013’s album The Sun Comes Out Tonight. Moments from his time with Nine Inch Nails, the incredible history of he has had with Filter, and personal photos of Patrick as a child alongside images with his siblings and family.

The crew then came out on stage carrying a cupcake as the entire crowd inside the Citizens House of Blues Boston joined together to sing “Happy Birthday.” Patrick, visibly emotional from the moment, thanked the audience before launching straight into “No Love,” turning a deeply personal moment into another burst of raw energy and emotion.

VIDEO FROM FILTER YOUTUBE

Filter ended the night with none other than the most iconic song in their catalog, “Hey Man, Nice Shot” off Short Bus. The track gained massive traction during the mid-’90s alternative rock explosion and became even more recognizable after appearing in the opening scene and soundtrack for the 1995 cult classic Demon Knight.

The song helped catapult Filter into the national spotlight, becoming one of the defining industrial rock tracks of the era with its explosive guitars, aggressive energy, and unmistakable vocal intensity from Richard Patrick. Live, the track still hits with the same ferocity nearly three decades later, and was the perfect send off to get the fans ready for Alter Bridge.

VIDEO FROM AMY MCGOWEN

Filter, after all these years, still carries the same sound and intensity that made them stand out in the ’90s, continuing to deliver the sharp, gritty vocals and pounding industrial beats that fans have loved for decades. Richard Patrick has lost none of the raw energy or emotion that helped define the band’s sound during the height of alternative and industrial rock.

For fans of Patrick’s heavier work, keep an eye out for new music from his project with Jim Louvau called There Is No Us. The duo is preparing to release a brand-new EP that leans even further into darker, grittier industrial textures, sounding like a full return to the aggressive, hard-hitting edge that longtime fans of Patrick’s work have been craving.

FILTER SETLIST FOR CITIZENS HOUSE OF BLUES-BOSTON, MA

1. You Walk Away
2. The Drowning
3. Trip Like I Do
4. Jurassitol
5. Take a Picture
6. No Love
7. All the Good
8. Welcome to the Fold
9. Hey Man, Nice Shot

PHOTOS BY KERRI NELSON MEDIA

As the lights dimmed for Alter Bridge to take the stage, the crowd inside the Citizens House of Blues Boston erupted. Fans pressed toward the barricade, drinks were raised into the air, and the roar from the packed venue echoed through the room before a single note was even played. After two high-energy opening sets, the anticipation had fully reached its peak.

The band opened with “Silent Divide,” the first track off their 2026 self-titled album. A chunky, slide down the neck of the guitar, riff-driven opener. What has always made Alter Bridge truly remarkable is the balance between Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti. Both are anthemic performers in their own right, yet their styles are completely different in ways that perfectly complement one another. Kennedy brings soaring, powerful vocals and more blues-inspired melodic guitar textures, while Tremonti counters with crushing riffs, technical precision, and some of the heaviest rhythm playing in modern hard rock. Together, the two create the massive layered sound that has become synonymous with Alter Bridge.

The newest addition to Alter Bridge’s discography marks the band’s eighth studio album since forming in 2004 and bursting onto the scene with One Day Remains. More than 20 years later, the band continues to hold onto the signature sound that has defined them since their inception while still finding ways to evolve and expand it.

Released in January 2026 and produced by Michael “Elvis” Baskette, the self-titled album takes those foundational Alter Bridge elements and pushes them even further. The record leans into heavier, grittier riffs, larger atmospheric moments, and massive arena-sized choruses that somehow feel even more anthemic than before, while still holding onto the emotional depth and layered guitar work the band is known for. From front to back, the album feels massive and emotional, the kind of record built to be played loud.

VIDEO FROM AMY MCGOWEN

The show featured songs spanning six of Alter Bridge’s eight studio albums, never leaning too heavily on one specific era. Instead, the setlist delivered a strong balance of both new and classic Alter Bridge material, something longtime fans clearly appreciated throughout the night.

The band rolled through “Addicted to Pain” and “Cry of Achilles” off 2013’s Fortress. Myles Kennedy sounded phenomenal as he intricately played the opening guitar parts to “Cry of Achilles” with incredible precision, every note ringing clearly throughout the Citizens House of Blues Boston. Then came Mark Tremonti crashing in with the song’s massive, heavy riffs, creating one of the standout moments of the set. Pair that with Kennedy’s ability to effortlessly shift from soaring highs to deeper, emotional vocal passages, and it became a masterclass in exactly why Alter Bridge continues to stand at the top of modern hard rock.

From there they rolled into “Playing Aces,” one of their recent single off their new self-titled album. The track carried a driving momentum throughout, with tight, controlled verses opening into a massive arena-style chorus. The bridge and breakdown sections added the heavier punch that Alter Bridge fans have come to expect, while the soaring guitar solos from Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti showcased the incredible chemistry between the two players.

VIDEO FROM ALTER BRIDGE

Mark Tremonti took over vocal duties for “Burn It Down,” off of 2007s Blackbird showcasing just how dynamic his role in Alter Bridge truly is. Tremonti’s vocal range carries a deeper, more anthemic tone that contrasts perfectly with Myles Kennedy’s soaring delivery.

What makes it even more impressive is how much Tremonti has grown as a vocalist over the years outside of Alter Bridge. Between fronting his own band, Tremonti, and even stepping into an entirely different world with his Frank Sinatra tribute project Tremonti Sings Sinatra, he has proven that his range stretches far beyond heavy riffs and metal breakdowns. That versatility was fully on display during “Burn It Down,” where his powerful delivery added an extra layer of heaviness and emotion to the live performance.

VIDEO FROM AMY MCGOWEN

Myles Kennedy paused before playing “Watch Over You” off Blackbird, taking a moment to reflect on his connection to Boston, mentioning that he was born just around the corner at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Kennedy joked with the crowd that while he normally loves to talk , “just ask my wife, she’ll tell you I never shut up” , he was on a vocal rest day to preserve his voice for the tour. He mentioned that he worried people meeting him on the street or during meet-and-greets might think he was unfriendly because he was trying not to speak too much.

Myles Kennedy also shared that earlier in the day he had spent time walking around Boston, retracing places connected to his childhood and reflecting on how beautiful the city still is. He spoke about wondering what life might have looked like had he never left Boston, admitting that a part of him still feels deeply connected to the city and that he genuinely loves being there.

It became an especially meaningful moment for many Bostonians in the crowd, creating a deeper connection between Myles Kennedy and the audience. You could feel the shared appreciation for a city that holds so much heart, history, and identity for the people who call it home.

It was a magical moment as the crowd joined in to sing the chorus alongside Kennedy. The glow of the lights across the screen spilled out over the audience, washing across the packed room as fans belted every word back toward the stage. By the end of the song, the crowd had almost completely taken over the vocals, singing just as loudly as Kennedy himself. Moments like that are what transform a concert from simply being another live show into a memory that stays with you long after the lights come up.

VIDEO FROM AMY MCGOWEN

The night continued with “Tested & Able” off Alter Bridge’s newest self-titled album. The song featured both Mark Tremonti and Myles Kennedy sharing vocal duties, creating a powerful harmony not only through the layered guitar riffs, but vocally as well. Their contrasting styles blended together perfectly, with Kennedy’s soaring range meeting Tremonti’s deeper, heavier tone, adding even more depth and emotion to the live performance.

From there, the band rolled into “Rise Today” off Blackbird and “Metalingus” from 2004’s One Day Remains. Both songs sent the crowd into another wave of energy before the band exited the stage ahead of the encore.

The moment they returned, chants for “Blackbird” filled the Citizens House of Blues Boston, followed immediately by roaring cheers as the opening notes rang out through the venue. The dark, moody epic remains one of the defining songs in Alter Bridge’s catalog, filled with soaring melodic moments, emotional rises and falls, and a slow-building intensity that takes listeners on a complete musical journey.

What made the performance even more spectacular was watching Kennedy effortlessly move his hands across the fretboard with incredible soul and precision before seamlessly trading solos with Tremonti. The chemistry between the two guitarists was mesmerizing, perfectly synchronized while still allowing each player’s unique style and personality to shine through. Kennedy’s more melodic and emotional phrasing paired beautifully against Tremonti’s technical aggression and power, elevating the song to another level live.

The nearly ten-minute performance of “Blackbird” was masterfully executed and served as a reminder of why Alter Bridge continues to stand as one of modern rock’s most respected bands. Every note, every vocal rise, every carefully layered guitar part carried emotion and purpose, blending together into something both intricate and powerful.

VIDEO FROM AMY MCGOWEN

The night of rock and roll finished with “Isolation” off 2010’s AB III. Alter Bridge closed the night with the same intensity and precision they carried throughout the entire set, sending the crowd out of the Citizens House of Blues Boston on one final adrenaline rush.

Alter Bridge fans left the venue feeling like they had experienced far more than just another rock concert. The level of talent across the band is simply unmatched. From the soaring vocals and intricate guitar work of Myles Kennedy to the crushing riffs and technical mastery of Mark Tremonti, every part of the performance felt intentional, emotional, and larger than life. Kennedy’s guitar playing is every bit as impressive as his voice, bringing melodic soul and precision that perfectly balances Tremonti’s heavier attack. Together, the two create one of the strongest guitar pairings in modern rock.

When you walk into an Alter Bridge show, you know you are not just getting a standard night of rock music — you are getting everything that makes Alter Bridge who they are: powerful musicianship, emotional depth, massive melodies, and rock and roll at its core.

There are still plenty of chances to catch the band live. The What Lies Within Tour continues through the United States until May 24 in Tampa before the band heads overseas. The European and UK leg kicks off June 4, 2026, in Germany and continues through June 27 with an appearance at Blackbird Festival in the United Kingdom. Plenty of opportunities remain to experience one of modern rock’s best live bands in person.

ALTER BRIDGE SETLIST FOR CITIZENS HOUSE OF BLUES-BOSTON, MA
1. Silent Divide
2. Addicted To Pain
3. Cry Of Achilles
4. Playing Aces
5. Fortress
6. Burn It Down (Mark)
7. Open Your Eyes
8. Broken Wings
9. Watch Over You
10. Ghost Of Days Gone By
11. Tested & Able (Mark and Myles)
12. Rise Today
13. Metalingus
14. Blackbird
15. Isolation

PHOTOS BY KERRI NELSON MEDIA

CITIZENS HOUSE OF BLUES
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X

The Setlist

Leave a ReplyCancel reply