Heavy Rock Unleashed: Clutch and Rival Sons Kick Off Co-Headlining Tour
On Thursday, legendary heavy rock bands Clutch and Rival Sons stormed the Brooklyn Paramount, opening their highly anticipated co-headlining tour, Two Headed Beast. The evening was a triumphant celebration of heavy riffs, energetic performances, and a nod to iconic albums.
Rival Sons Bring the Heat
Rival Sons, accompanied by guitarist Scott Holiday’s infectious enthusiasm, delivered a high-octane performance that showcased their impressive range. The band is marking significant anniversaries: 2014’s critically acclaimed album Great Western Valkyrie turned 10, and the 20th anniversary of their major label debut Blast Tyrant, released in 2004. The setlist mirrored this celebration, with Rival Sons performing six songs from Great Western Valkyrie, including fan favorite "Good Luck," which hadn’t been played since 2018. The band also honored its 30th anniversary last year with a performance of tracks from their 1993 album Transnational Speedway League: Anthems, Anecdotes and Undeniable Truths.
Clutch Dominates the Stage
Meanwhile, Clutch, accompanied by their signature blend of blues, punk, and metal, brought the thunder with a setlist mostly comprised of their 2004 album Blast Tyrant, celebrating its 20th anniversary. The band also mixed in tracks from their extensive discography, including three songs from their 1993 album Transnational Speedway League: Anthems, Anecdotes and Undeniable Truths, commemorating its 30th anniversary. Set highlights included "Electric Worry," "The Mob Goes Wild," and "Spacegrass."
Fu Manchu Brings the Noise
Opening the show, fellow stoner rock veterans Fu Manchu delivered a tightly wound performance, showcasing two tracks from their latest album, 2024’s The Return of Tomorrow, as well as fan favorites like "Evil Eye" and the title track from their 1999 10-inch Eatin’ Dust.
A Conversation with Rival Sons
"We haven’t seen each other for a good month and a half. Generally, we’ll get together and rehearse for a few days, but we didn’t," guitarist Scott Holiday remarks about the band’s hectic schedule. "We were really working out the kinks and kicking the dust on deck, which is kind of fun. You show everything and there’s a certain excitement and energy about it."
According to bassist Dave Buchanan, they plan to play all the songs from Great Western Valkyrie in the future, including one they’ve never performed before. "I think it was a really strong record for us and they’re songs that work well live, for the most part. So we regularly play a lot of songs from that record already… We’re really hoping to bring ‘Destination on Course [Slipped from the Rail]’ to the set."
The Two Headed Beast Tour Continues
The Two Headed Beast tour promises to be an unforgettable experience, with Clutch, Rival Sons, and Fu Manchu bringing their unique blend of heavy riffs and energetic performances to the stage. The tour will continue tonight (September 6) in Atlantic City.
FAQs
Q: What album is Rival Sons celebrating the 10th anniversary of?
A: Great Western Valkyrie, released in 2014.
Q: What album is Clutch celebrating the 20th anniversary of?
A: Blast Tyrant, released in 2004.
Q: What album is marking its 30th anniversary?
A: Transnational Speedway League: Anthems, Anecdotes and Undeniable Truths, released in 1993.
Conclusion
The Two Headed Beast tour, featuring Clutch, Rival Sons, and Fu Manchu, promises to be an unforgettable experience, with each band bringing their unique blend of heavy riffs and energetic performances to the stage. With several albums celebrating significant anniversaries, this tour will be a celebration of classic heavy rock and a reminder of the enduring power of music.
