JUDAS PRIEST
Tucson Arena / Tucson, AZ
November 8, 2022
November 8, 2022 - Tucson Arena / Tucson, AZ
This show was not just another ordinary concert. It was a must-see event. A bucket list type of event. An event 50+ years in the making. This time I brought more than just Red Bull with me on this journey. I brought the wife, kids, and sister-in-law, and met up with more family and friends at the Tucson Arena to witness the Metal Gods and recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Judas Priest. This show was about the midpoint of the US fall leg of their ‘50 Heavy Metal Years’ tour, which will wrap up on November 29 in Houston, TX. After that, the tour will continue and hit Mexico and South America to finish off 2022, before heading back to Europe in 2023.
Judas Priest, all dressed in their classic leather and stud attire, played an 18-song set (about an hour and forty-five minutes). Five of the songs were pulled off their eighth studio album - Screaming For Vengeance album, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Rob Halford’s voice still sounds amazing. He was nailing the high-end screams on the song Screaming For Vengeance and channeling his inner death metal for the vocal work on Halls Of Valhalla, and everything in between. The dual guitar work of Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap was pure fire while being held together by Ian Hill’s solid bass work. A personal highlight for me was being able to witness and enjoy the drum master himself, Mr. Scott Travis. I had the honor and privilege of interviewing Scott and the rest of Racer X back in January ‘88, for my high school newspaper.
For their encore, Rob rode a motorcycle onto the stage, wearing a leather cap and holding a riding crop in his teeth, before they started playing Hell Bent For Leather. Following that was the classic, Breaking The Law, which always reminds me of Beavis and Butt-head. They would either be singing “Breaking The Law” or their alternate version, “Washing The Dog”, when they had a dog in a washing machine at the laundromat. Living After Midnight would be their final song of the night. During this, they brought out a giant blown-up red-eyed bull, which seemed to take up about half the stage, honoring the British band’s hometown of Birmingham. This was a historic event that I am glad I got to enjoy with my family and friends. The complete setlist is below. Also, be sure to keep up with their tour dates, and latest news and buy some merch at the official JUDAS PRIEST website.
Setlist:
Electric Eye
Riding On The Wind
You've Got Another Thing Comin'
Jawbreaker
Firepower
Never The Heroes
Beyond The Realms Of Death
Judas Rising
Devil's Child
Genocide
Steeler
Between The Hammer And The Anvil
Halls Of Valhalla
The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown) (Fleetwood Mac cover)
Screaming For Vengeance
Encore:
Hell Bent For Leather
Breaking The Law
Living After Midnight
Queensryche, the supporting act, put on a great set as well. Personally, I love their early work, so when 5 of the 11 songs on the setlist (below) were from the Queensrÿche EP and The Warning album, I was in heaven. Todd La Torre held his own doing these early songs and was very impressive. The whole band sounded tight and did a great job getting the Tucson crowd ready for the Metal Gods, Judas Priest. Be sure to also check out the official Queensrÿche website for news, tour dates, and merch.
Setlist:
Queen of the Reich
Warning
En Force
NM 156
Behind the Walls
Empire
Operation: Mindcrime
The Needle Lies
Take Hold of the Flame
Screaming in Digital
Eyes of a Stranger
