Volbeat brought their Greatest Tour ever through Franklin, Tennessee at the gorgeous First Bank Amphitheater, which is nestled in an old, abandoned quarry, giving it an inverse Red Rocks feel. There are shows you go to for a good time, and then there are shows like this, where the energy grabs you by the chest from the first note and doesn’t let go until the final chord fades into the night. Volbeat brought an incredible blend of heavy metal, rockabilly, and straight-up rock ‘n’ roll of with the random Elvis and Johnny Cash impersonations in tow to the stage, but not before Halestorm and The Ghost Inside turned the scenic outdoor venue into a full-on furnace of sound and sweat.
The first to act of the night to hit the stage was The Ghost Inside, and from the moment they hit the stage, it was clear they weren’t just there to warm up the crowd. Jonathan Vigil hit the stage like a madman, and the crowd responded by instantly feeding off every breakdown and scream that was delivered. For a band that’s been through so much, there’s an unmatched sense of triumph in every note they play. Songs like “Aftermath” and “Death Grip” felt not just heavy, but emotionally loaded as the California metalcore band barreled through them. You could feel their gratitude to be up there, and the fans returned it tenfold.
Next to grace the stage in the old quarry was Halestorm, and man, Lzzy Hale and crew do not mess around. Her voice is like a freight train as she unleashed it with zero hesitation intense highs and barreling screams. They opened with “Familiar Taste of Poison” and it was like a switch flipped, suddenly the entire crowd was in it together, fists in the air, heads banging, voices screaming along. Guitar solos ripped, drums pounded with reckless abandon as can be expected from a band that has been around this long, Halestorm made sure to remind everyone that rock is alive and very loud. The Nashville based rockers also teared the crowd up with a touching tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. “I Miss the Misery” and “Freak Like Me” were major highlights, and by the time they closed with “Here’s to Us” and “I Get Off”, they had the entire amphitheater in their palm and ready to go for the main event.
As the sun dipped behind the Tennessee hills, Volbeat took the stage with a purpose. Frontman Michael Poulsen strolled out with the swagger of someone who knows exactly what he’s doing, and for good reason. Volbeat’s live set is like taking a muscle car out for a midnight spin. It’s fast, loud, dangerous, and full of surprises. From the opening riff of “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown” to the anthemic “Lola Montez” and “Sad Man’s Tongue,” they put on an absolute clinic in how to own a stage without gimmicks hitting fans with the hits they all were clamoring to see.
Their ability to seamlessly blend thrash riffs with rockabilly swing and melodic choruses is nothing short of hypnotic. One moment you’re being pummeled by guitars, the next you’re shouting along to a chorus that could’ve come from a Johnny Cash fever dream. A special moment came when they played “Fallen”, the entire crowd went quiet, letting the emotional weight of the song settle in before joining in a heartfelt singalong. There’s something about hearing that song surrounded by strangers and stars overhead that’ll stick with you long after the show ends.
This wasn’t just a lineup of good bands, this was a lineup of survivors, fighters, and masters of their craft. Each band brought something different, but all of them shared one thing, raw, unfiltered passion for live music and rock. You could see it in their faces and hear it in every riff, scream, and chorus.
Franklin showed up ready to rage, and the artists delivered a night that felt like a celebration of everything loud and real and powerful. If you ever get the chance to catch this tour make the time to check out an amazing night of rock at its finest. Bring earplugs, lose your voice, and let it remind you what it means to feel rock music again.
Volbeat’s Greatest of All Tours continues through August 22nd of 2025. For upcoming shows, visit https://www.volbeat.dk/en/dates/.
Follow Volbeat, Halestorm, and The Ghost Inside on their socials below:
Volbeat: Instagram // Facebook
Halestorm: Instagram // Facebook
The Ghost Inside: Instagram // Facebook
