Lovers Lane
In The Flesh

Photo Gallery: Mammoth WVH and Dirty Honey at House of Blues • Chicago

| March 19, 2022
Mammoth WVH and Dirty Honey
March 16, 2022
House of Blues
Chicago, IL
Recap and photos by Edward Spinelli
The “Young Guns Tour,” featuring Mammoth WVH and Dirty Honey, finally made its way through Chicago at House of Blues on Wednesday. Like hundreds of other shows during the pandemic, the original tour dates were derailed due to the holiday surge of COVID-19 cases.
Dirty Honey, still touring last year’s self-titled album, included some of their older (circa 2017) material in their setlist. “California Dreamin’” kicked off the night’s opening set for their rock-hungry fans. Frontman Marc LaBelle, always an adept climber, enjoyed signing from atop the PA to give the first balcony folks a better view. He also found himself in the photo pit and invited guitarist John Notto to come down and jam with him. Notto worked in a few small tributes to guitar legend Jimmy Page for good measure. In classic rock fashion, the band carved out multiple sequential solos. Dirty Honey also worked in a nice tribute to Prince with a rousing version of “Let’s Go Crazy.”
Mammoth WVH – fronted by rock n’ roll royalty, Wolfgang Van Halen (son of Edward), won the coin toss, closing out the night.  Hitting the stage with a huge smile, Wolf and his band jumped right into “Mammoth,” winning the approval of a packed house. WVH put his Van Halen chops on full display, “2tapping” up and down the fretboard to thunderous applause. It wasn’t until late in his hour-long set that he had his whole heart on display performing his debut single “Distance,” a touching tribute to his father. Followed by the only cover song in his set, the band killed it with Alice in Chains’ “Them Bones.” Before the band could kick off their final song, touring staff ushered in a couple of bouquets of helium balloons, recognizing Wolfgang’s 31st birthday. Most in attendance sang Happy Birthday to the smiling Van Halen and then proceeded to slay their last song, “Don’t Back Down.”
For those worried about the future of rock music, WVH and Dirty Honey’s tour confirm that rock ain’t dead.

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Category: IE Photo Gallery, Weekly

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