Live Review: Alter Bridge – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
5th March 2026
Support: Daughtry, Sevendust
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
The final night of a tour always carries a different kind of energy. When Alter Bridge rolled into Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena to close out their UK and European run, the atmosphere felt like a celebration. Fans packed the arena aware that this was the last chance to witness the band’s current set in full flight.
Opening the evening were Atlanta veterans Sevendust, who wasted no time igniting the crowd. Kicking off with ‘Black’ and quickly rolling into ‘Denial’, the band delivered their trademark blend of groove-heavy riffs and soaring vocal hooks. Frontman Lajon Witherspoon commanded the stage with effortless charisma, his voice filling the arena as the band tightened the screws with ‘Is This the Real You’ and the ever-reliable crowd favourite ‘Enemy’
As the set continued with ‘Praise’, ‘Crucified’ and the crushing ‘Face to Face’, Sevendust proved exactly why they remain one of metal’s most dependable live acts. The chemistry between the band members was obvious, and the band loved every minute, smiles ear to ear as they played (and Mark Tremonti watched on in the wings). For a band playing early in a stacked bill, they delivered a performance that could easily have headlined a smaller venue, leaving the Nottingham crowd thoroughly warmed up.
Next up was Daughtry, whose polished brand of arena rock provided a stylistic shift while keeping the momentum high. Opening with ‘Divided’ and ‘The Bottom’, frontman Chris Daughtry showcased the powerhouse voice that first brought him to global attention. His vocals carried effortlessly through the arena, particularly during the emotional sweep of ‘The Day I Die’ drawing a huge response from the audience.
One of the sets standout moments came with their cover of ‘Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)’ by Journey. The band gave the classic track a heavier edge without losing its soaring melody, and the Nottingham crowd enthusiastically joined in.
Closing their set with ‘Pieces’, ‘Over You’ and the punchy ‘Heavy Is the Crown’ the band finished on the newer material ‘Artificial’ which sat comfortably alongside the older favourites. Daughtry’s set started well but felt a little long as they neared the hour mark, a punchy half hour set in the sun with a beer at a festival would be the ideal booked for this band, through in a Journey cover and you’ve won the crowd over.
By the time Alter Bridge took the stage, the atmosphere inside the Motorpoint Arena had reached fever pitch, the whole bowl was full to capacity, as was the floor as the many thousands in the building waiting in anticipation.
Opening with the thunderous ‘Silent Divide’ the band immediately demonstrated why they’ve become one of modern rock’s most respected live acts. Guitarist Mark Tremonti and vocalist Myles Kennedy locked into their signature interplay, while the rhythm section powered through ‘Addicted to Pain’ and the epic ‘Cry of Achilles’.
The setlist pulled generously from across the band’s catalogue, including the riff-heavy ‘Playing Aces’ and the towering ‘Fortress’. Tremonti stepped forward to take lead vocals on ‘Burn It Down’ delivering a muscular performance that showcased his many varied talents.
As the set moved on momentum continued with the swaggering ‘Silver Tongue’ before the anthemic ‘Rise Today’ sent the arena into full voice. As the opening riff of ‘Metalingus’ rang out, the response was deafening, proof that the band’s early classic remains a cornerstone of their live repertoire or maybe there were a few Adam Copeland fans in attendance?
Of course, no Alter Bridge show would be complete without ‘Blackbird’ and the encore delivered exactly that. The epic track unfolded with breathtaking precision, its guitar work and Kennedy’s soaring vocals creating a spine-tingling moment that reminded everyone why the song has become such a defining piece of the band’s legacy.
They closed the night with the relentless punch of ‘Isolation’ bringing their UK and European tour to a triumphant conclusion. The band return in the summer, including a very special show at Cardiff Castle in June, grab your tickets for that now, as that will be a once in a lifetime experience!
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
