“We realised we haven’t played Wales in over seven years,” said Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy in August 2025. “To make up for lost time, we thought it would be cool to do something extra special. So, with that said, we are stoked to announce The Blackbird Festival. Not only does this commemorate 20-plus years of being a band, but it’s also a way to show our appreciation for the fans in Wales who’ve patiently waited for our return.”
Alter Bridge – Blackbird Festival
Cardiff Castle – 27 June 2026
Words And Photography: Paul Hutchings
Hardly strangers to these shores, it has indeed been a long time since Alter Bridge rocked the Cardiff International Arena. Their first visit to Wales came in 2011, but the size of this band is such that one visit to the 1600-capacity Great Hall was inevitably followed by five shows at the CIA.
On a monster weekend for Metal in the Welsh Capital, with the imminent arrival of icons Metallica, and under the watchful gaze of the Principality Stadium, Messrs Kennedy, Tremonti, Marshall and Phillips thrill 10,000 Blackbird Festival fans with a set of balance and power that follows a triple Welsh combo filtered with one American outfit of high class.
It is a brave band that puts Skindred on the bill and then must follow them. Benji and his troops have demonstrated in a blistering hour why a headline show at the CIA in May 2027 is now their territory.
But Alter Bridge have chops, big riffs, and Kennedy’s still awesome vocals. For some, they are an acquired taste, but they work fantastically well with the music that the Floridians deliver.
It may not be on the same intensity scale, but there is ample participation opportunity, including a birthday sing-along that makes one fan’s 30th birthday celebrations unforgettable and those big, muscular riffs of Mark Tremonti that echo around the historic Castle that sits in the city centre.
A spread of songs from their discography pleases the diehards, whilst those who dip in and out instantly recognise the likes of Fortress, Addicted To Pain and, of course, the triple finish of Metalingus, Blackbird and Isolation.
Mid-set, the tempo slows, Watch Over You, Broken Wings and Ghost Of Days Gone By allow the couples in the castle to have a moment. There are sing-alongs and more audience participation before the slickness of a band coming to the end of their European tour kicks into the final quarter of the show.
Consummate musicians, there are smiles all round on stage, even if you can hardly see Phillips behind his perspex screens. As the band take their bow at the end of a stunning day in the most incredible setting, one wonders about the next Blackbird Festival. Back in Cardiff? Or moving around the UK?
We wait with anticipation whilst left to briefly bask in the glow before a certain four-piece from LA may just take the attention once more.
Skindred
Buoyed even more than usual, Skindred are on fire from the start. The Imperial March signals 60 minutes of mosh pits, surfers, and so much bouncing that many a knee will be sore the following morning.
Put simply, Skindred are just electric live. We have written so many times about the charisma that Benji exudes, and tonight, he, Mikey Deemus, Arya Goggin and Tommy Gleeson are imperious.
The biggest show they have ever played in Wales, backed by a partisan audience, this is one of the band’s finest moments.
Ever the ringmaster, Webbe berates the audience in his usual lovable style. The boy from Pilgwenlly has never forgotten his roots, giving a shout-out to his home city, spreading the band’s peace, love and warmth.
Even if you do not like the band’s fusion of styles, how you cannot warm to the main man is beyond me. He is not at all smug about the band’s number one record, but his banter about the success of You Got This could be mistaken if you were unaware of his humour.
A real mix of tracks that echoes the setlist of this year’s shows, it is finale Warning that everyone is ready for. Joined by Tristan and Perry from Florence Black, Webbe is already telling people to wait, as the excitement sees some premature top spinning.
But when the Newport Helicopter is unleashed, it is a sight to take in.
The music of Nobody Does It Better echoes around the walls of the castle at the end. It is impossible to argue. Just magnificent.
Mammoth
As the heart from Florence Black’s set still lingers, it is no easy task for Wolfgang Van Halen’s Mammoth to match the Merthyr boys. And whilst the intensity and home crowd make it almost impossible, there is a genuine quality that comes with Mammoth, which is impressive.
Drawing from the three albums, WVH is understated, yet possesses a confidence that is likeable. It helps if you are fine musicians, and WVH alongside his band are tight. So tight.
From opener The End through to Don’t Back Down, this is a solid show, and for most, their first taste of Mammoth is enjoyable.
Florence Black
Powerful and slowly hitting their stride, Florence Black could have sung nursery rhymes for 30 minutes, and the crowd would have gone nuts.
But these boys know what the crowd want, and rage into action with a punchy, high-tempo half hour.
There are big songs ideal for this setting. Only Pouring Rain gets an outing from the recently released album of the same name, but Bed Of Nails, Rocking Ring and Zulu are explosive. The band look fit and trim, and energetic. Zulu keeps the power high before they cleverly slow their finale with Sun & Moon.
It would not be Florence Black in Wales without Breadfan, though, and the pit rages as the Budgie classic echoes around these walls again.
Heroic from start to finish, this may well be the moment when Florence Black become the must-have band for those festivals in 2027.
Cardinal Black
It is a chilled start in still blistering heat. A masterstroke to get those doyens of gentleness, Cardinal Black play a superb set that will no doubt add to their fan base.
Tom Hollister seems slightly distracted at times. Maybe the sheer enormity of such a gig in his home city touches him a little. He is on it for most of the set mind, with little bits of banter adding that flourish to the class of songs like Keep On Running and Where Do You Go?
Alongside Tom, it is his partner in blues rock, Chris Buck, who pulls the strings. Tell Me How It Feels allows the crowd to participate, with Tom punching the air in delight.
You can tell that the bands on the bill are in great form, all fresh from recent touring. Cardinal Black are smooth and tight, and as they lap up the applause, one hopes that they have also gained more fans.
Those days of shows in Le Pub and The Patriot are gone for good now.
