Mammoth, Myles Kennedy, Return to Dust Joining Fans Across Generations
A Night of Multi-Generational Rock Magic at House of Blues Boston
Setlists & Snapshots: Fall Stage Storm 2025
On November 12, 2025, the House of Blues in Boston became a meeting ground for rock fans spanning generations. The night opened with Return to Dust, a band already familiar to many in the crowd and clearly coming into their own. Their performance reflected a group gaining confidence and traction, drawing in both younger listeners and longtime rock fans alike as they continue to grow their touring presence.
Next up was Myles Kennedy, who delivered a standout performance with his three-piece band. His set blended charisma, technical skill, and undeniable stage presence, making a strong impression even on those encountering his solo work for the first time. Kennedy’s ability to command the room and connect with the audience made his set a powerful bridge between the opener and the night’s headliner.
When Mammoth took the stage, the atmosphere shifted into full celebration. The audience was packed with longtime Van Halen fans—many there specifically to support Wolf Van Halen as he continues to carve out his own identity. One of the night’s most memorable moments came when a fan tossed a Boston Bruins jersey onto the stage. Wolf caught it mid-show, flashing a huge grin that captured both the hometown love and his genuine appreciation for the crowd.
Musically, Wolf Van Halen continues to surprise audiences worldwide with his depth of musicianship, gaining his audience's trust and admiration. Mammoth kicked off their set with the powerful opening pairing of “One of a Kind” and “Another Celebration at the End of the World,” immediately setting the tone. The night closed with an encore that sent the crowd into a frenzy, ending with “Don’t Back Down” and “The End.” Performances like this make it easy to imagine Mammoth headlining iconic venues such as Fenway Park or Gillette Stadium in the not-so-distant future.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it was a high-energy night that showcased three rock acts, each bringing a distinct edge to the stage. Return to Dust continues to build momentum and expand their fanbase, Myles Kennedy delivered a charismatic and technically impressive set, and Mammoth Van Halen proved they are far more than a legacy act. With Wolf Van Halen at the helm, Mammoth is clearly on a path toward becoming a global headliner, one legendary stage at a time.
Review: Bonnie for WSCA FM, Portsmouth Community Radio
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Tiktok: @photographybybonnie
Mixtape with Bonnie’s Stage Storm: Fall 2025
Royal Flush Tour Delivers a Six-Decade Rock Masterclass: Starship and Heart Light Up Manchester
Royal Flush Tour Delivers a Six-Decade Rock Masterclass: Starship and Heart Light Up Manchester
Despite a winter storm bearing down on southern New Hampshire, fans poured up Elm Street on December 10, 2025, determined to be inside the SNHU Arena for the Royal Flush tour. Coats zipped, boots crunching through snow, generations of music lovers arrived early and they were rewarded with a night that felt less like a concert and more like a living rock-and-roll timeline.
Starship Opens the Night: A Soundtrack Across Six Decades
Starship, led by original vocalist Mickey Thomas, hit the stage promptly at 7:30 p.m., immediately transporting the crowd through the songs that have soundtracked lives since the 1960s. From the opening moments, it was clear this wasn’t a nostalgia act phoning it in, this was a band honoring its past while sounding very much alive in the present.
Thomas, backed by an exceptionally tight and talented band (including a standout co-lead vocalist), delivered crowd favorites like “Jane,” “Wild Again,” “Sarah,” and the era-defining “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” still their most recognizable and beloved hit. The set nodded to Starship’s deep roots with “Somebody to Love,” “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” and “Find Your Way Back,” the latter featuring a guitar solo that was flat-out off the charts.
When “We Built This City” closed the set, it landed not as a cliché, but as a statement, Thomas framing the song as being about tearing down walls and building community. In a snowstorm, in a city arena filled early with fans, the message hit home.
Heart Takes the Throne
At 8:45 p.m., Heart took the stage as true headliners, opening with a powerful five-minute slideshow that chronicled news and highlights from 1973 to 2025. It was a reminder that Heart isn’t just a band, they’re an institution. When the music kicked in, the roar from the crowd said it all.
Launching into “Never,” Heart wasted no time asserting their dominance. The set moved effortlessly through decades: “Little Queen,” “Dreams,” “Crazy on You,” “Dog & Butterfly,” and “Straight On,” each delivered with precision and emotional weight. “Keep My Love Alive” featured delicate flute work, while “Magic Man” and “Alone” reminded everyone why these songs still resonate generations later.
The band itself was a force, five guitar players on stage, including bass and 12-string, each weaving a unique part into Heart’s unmistakable sound. Paul Moak, Ryan Waters, Tony Lucido, Ryan Wariner, Sean T. Lane, and the Wilson sisters formed a wall of musicianship that felt both massive and intimate.
Honors, Covers, and Rock Royalty
Heart’s history has always been intertwined with Led Zeppelin, and the Royal Flush tour leaned into that legacy with reverence. Covers including “Find Me a Woman,” “Going to California,” and “The Rain Song” were woven throughout the set, not as gimmicks, but as heartfelt tributes to the music that shaped them.
Nancy Wilson paused to share a personal story about giving Eddie Van Halen a white ovation acoustic guitar and then followed by a beautiful acoustic tribute that drew one of the night’s most emotional responses.
A Voice That Time Can’t Touch
Watching Ann Wilson perform remains a singular experience. Her voice is distinct, powerful, and emotionally raw and has lost none of its magic over five decades. Age may slow some performers, but Ann Wilson has proven herself to be an unmatched voice in rock ’n’ roll, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the greatest singers of any era. Together, Ann and Nancy Wilson have preserved not only their talents, but the soul of Heart itself.
A Finale for the Ages
Heart never truly left the stage for the encore, rolling seamlessly into the final stretch with “What About Love” and a haunting, seasonal rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “River.” And just when the crowd thought the night couldn’t climb any higher, the band delivered the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
“Barracuda.”
The arena erupted. Fans were on their feet, dancing, singing, and cheering as one, all transported back to the moments when this song first blew out car speakers and radio airwaves.
On a snowy December night in Manchester, Starship and Heart didn’t just perform hits, they reminded us why this music still matters. Six decades on, the soundtrack of our lives is still loud, still powerful, and very much alive.
Review: Bonnie for WSCA FM, Portsmouth Community Radio
Instagram: @
Tiktok: @photographybybonnie
Mixtape with Bonnie’s Stage Storm: Fall 2025
In the Penahood
Penacook is the town where I started my very first job in New Hampshire, way back in 2001. In this small town, I have made friends who have become family, and occasionally they have me over to capture the moments of their lives.
If you’re looking for real photos of your very real family doing the very real things that y'all do together, reach out to me. If you are looking for last-minute holiday photos, reach out - I have availability between now and the beginning of the year to capture some of your very best moments so you can share with your friends and family. Happy Black Friday week!
A Day to Remember Blows the Lid Off the SNHU Arena
The windy streets of New Hampshire swept fans into the SNHU Arena for a powerhouse lineup that was ready to bring on the fire. November 8th brought three powerhouse bands to Manchester: The Wonder Years, Yellowcard, and A Day to Remember, each playing a part in delivering a night packed with energy, nostalgia, and plenty of surprises.
The Wonder Years kicked things off with a 45-minute set that roared from the stage. While I walked in knowing little about them, I walked out a fan. The gritty delivery and fired up lyrics gave the crowd exactly what they needed to warm up and start bouncing. According to Setlist FM, they opened with fan favorites, "Low Tide" and "GODDAMNITALL", wrapping their set with the high energy fan favorite, "Came Out Swinging".
Yellowcard followed, excited to share hits from their 11th studio album, Better Days. They kicked the energy up before they even hit the stage by sending out their t-shirt blasting, mini-bike riding dude to rev up the crowd. This launched the band into 'Only One", proving they’re magic is alive and ready to bring the crowd up off its feet. Was that an electric violin solo followed by fire and a drum solo from a 2 story drum riser? It’s not every day you see a violin light up a rock show, but Sean Mackin’s electric solos made it look effortless. The band tore through crowd favorites like “Believe” and "Light Up the Sky", sending the crowd into a frenzy of crowd surfing of pure pop-punk joy. It was a blast of nostalgia for many, proving to their fans with young kids in tow, this was the soundtrack of their lives and now they get to be a part of it too.
Then came A Day to Remember, and the arena exploded. Quite literally, with serious pyrotechnics, cannons blasting with tickertape and fog machines while the band ripped through their set. Every song hit harder than the last, bringing people to their feet and shouting along to every lyric as if their lives depended on it. You could see it in the pit: the fans were all in. Crowd surfing, circle pits, and yes, families singing along shoulder to shoulder. It was the kind of show where everyone left sweaty, smiling, and somehow more connected.
The highlight? A Day to Remember’s lead singer shouted mid-show that he had never seen so many fans attempt “double crowd surfing” on tour. The night of crowd surfing and moshing in the pit challenged SNHU's security team and they proved they were up to the task. Those guards worked overtime, nonstop catching and lifting people over the rails, making sure no one hit the floor. As a live music photojournalist, I have never seen anything like it at an indoor arena. Their work made this wild night possible, and it’s no understatement to say they were heroes in their own right.
Final Thoughts:
While the temps outside plunged, this show was nothing short of fire. Three bands, three incredible different vibes, one unforgettable night. If this tour is coming to your town, don’t miss it. You’ll leave hoarse, hyped, and maybe, like me, a fan of some great new music.
Review: Bonnie for WSCA FM, Portsmouth Community Radio
Photos: Bonnie M.
Instagram: @
Tiktok: @photographybybonnie
Mixtape with Bonnie’s Stage Storm: Fall 2025
Cage the Elephant - Bring the Fire to Fenway MGM Music Hall
GETTING THERE
After a two-hour drive through relentless rain, I found myself standing outside the MGM Fenway Music Hall, camera in hand, surrounded by fans buzzing with excitement. The rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the sold-out crowd, all there for Cage The Elephant's final tour show. Boston has always welcomed the band with open arms, and that night was no exception. Inside, the energy was electric – it was as if we all knew we were about to witness something special, a storm outside matched only by the storm of emotion and joy inside the hall.
INSIDE THE MUSIC HALL
There’s something magical about the moment a community of music lovers transforms a gloomy night into pure joy. Outside, we were soaked, but inside – with Cage The Elephant kicking off with "Broken Boy" and a burst of pyro – that storm outside didn’t stand a chance. "Cry Baby" came next, and for a song with that name, the entire crowd was anything but – jumping, yelling every word, and letting loose. As I scanned the room with my camera, what struck me most was how not a single person stayed seated – three floors of fans all up, moving, and feeding off the band's energy. Being a pit photographer always feels like a gift, but in moments like that, I wished everyone could see what I see through the lens – music turning a rainy night into pure magic.
THE VIBE OF THE CROWD
As the night drew to a close, Cage The Elephant left us with "Cigarette Daydreams" and finally "Come a Little Closer" – and the energy in the room was still at a fever pitch. It’s something special, watching how no one wants to leave even after the last note fades – a testament to how much of a lasting impression the band leaves. As someone seeing them live for the first time, I felt it too – that bittersweet excitement of knowing this was the last show of the tour, but also the anticipation that I’ll definitely be there when they come back. It’s that kind of show – the one that turns a rough day into a night you won’t forget, and leaves you counting down the days until the next time you get to experience it all over again.
https://www.cagetheelephant.com/
Review: Bonnie for WSCA FM, Portsmouth Community Radio
Photos: Bonnie M.
Instagram: @photographybybonnie
Tiktok: @photographybybonnie
Mixtape with Bonnie’s Stage Storm: Fall 2025