Following successful UK shows with Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, Mammoth WVH returned for their first UK Headline Tour. It’s only two shows, but tonight, Wolfgang Van Halen and Co. stormed a sold-out O2 Academy Islington that was so full it was bursting.
Mammoth WVH – The Dust Coda
O2 Academy Islington – 9 July 2024
Words: Rhys Cubbage
Photography: Steve Ritchie
O2 Academy Islington is not the biggest. But it was totally packed out well before the main act hit the stage. With the odd person arriving just before Mammoth WVH hit the stage, there was not one inch left to stand.
Wolfgang Van Halen is an absolutely talented musician whose voice excels in a live setting. It harmonises perfectly with the backing vocals of Jon Jourdan.
Further, having three guitarists really ramps up the riffs and fills the venue from front to back, truly complementing and contrasting the softer voice of the frontman.
The set kicked off with Mammoth and instantly got the crowd animated. It’s a perfect example of how the three guitars blend and work together and absolutely slap with heavy rock.
The way that guitarists Frank Sidoris and Jon Jourdan, Ronnie Ficarro on bass and the fantastic Garrett Whitlock on drums mesh with WVH is infectious to experience. This band are natural headliners.
We chug through tunes such as Mr Ed and Better Than You with fans, both young and old, bouncing with arms up in the air. The energy briefly turned to emotion with the excellent but sombre Distance.
Wolfgang announced his “Dad’s favourite song” was next, to the delight of the crowd. Think It Over further whipped the crowd up with glee.
Wolfgang is not content to sit in the shadow of a name or ride a family member’s coattails. He is a genuine talent. What’s more, Wolfgang presents on stage as the most humble of people, living in amazement at what he and his band are achieving.
This is unparalleled talent being displayed by a workhorse.
In what can only be described as a proper stadium rock sing-along track with plenty of clapping and singing fans, the band deliver Alright. This is one of the absolute highlights of the evening.
It’s certainly understandable how Mammoth WVH naturally make those big sounds when playing stadiums, supporting some of the biggest names on tour.
The show finished on Another Celebration At The End Of The World, leaving the crowd satisfied and spent.
Wolfgang drank it all in, enjoying the heaving crowd and their delight at what they had witnessed. There was joy on his face, saying, “Job done.”
Rammed right the way to the back of the hall, people were holding the doors open to let a little air in, it was that full.
It’s safe to say, Mammoth WVH, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” the next time you roll into London.
The Dust Coda
Local rock ‘n’ rollers The Dust Coda were the special guests of Mammoth WVH at the sold-out O2 Islington Academy on a very drab Tuesday evening in London.
They fired through a quick and rapturous set of six tracks in front of an already packed crowd. As the support act, there is never much time for meaningful fan engagement and theatrics.
The Dust Coda just let the music do the talking, dishing out hits such as Limbo Man and Call Out The Dogs, skillfully bringing the audience to life.
With a big finish coming in the form of Road To Hell, this proves to be an absolute fist-pumping sing-along.
The Dust Coda were the perfect support for Mammoth WVH. They were able to rile up the crowd with ease and would not be out of place opening up a much larger venue with their rock ‘n’ roll show.
