MAMMOTH WVH Conquer Their First Headlining Show At Plaza Live Orlando
On June 11th 2021 Wolfgang Van Halen launched his debut self-titled album with MAMMOTH WVH and immediately gained both No. 1 spots on Top Rock Albums and Hard Rock Albums. This would give him the chance to create his own musical voice as well as carve a new chapter in the Van Halen legacy. MAMMOTH has been a true labor of love that has taken years to come to fruition.
But when it came time to record the album, Wolfgang put the workload on his shoulders alone as he would be the sole musical force responsible for recording all instruments and vocals himself. If you think about it, it’s really not that surprising as he comes from one of the most musically influential families in the history of rock and roll. With the band’s first full length tour almost over, MAMMOTH WVH will make their first ever stop at Plaza Live to make a lasting impression on the fans here in Orlando.
This would mark my first show at the venue since March of last year, and the anticipation to shoot here again was added to the show itself. As I pulled into the parking lot I was in utter shock at the sight of the line literally wrapping all the way around the backside of the building. I’ve attended many shows here and that was certainly a first. Once I finally made my way inside I was greeted by a plethora of Van Halen paraphernalia including T-shirts of tours past, Frankenstein striped leggings to VH guitar pick earrings and Converse All-Stars.
It’s safe to say that MAMMOTH WVH has the full support of long time Van Halen fans. As we stand next to the stage we notice that we are twenty minutes past the original start time, which I could only think was due to the fact there was still a decent amount of people who were still in line. But at the stroke of 9 the lights went out and the chants of “WOLFIE” and even long curdling wolf howls would reach backstage.
At the plateau of the guitar feedback coming off the stage, the lights shoot on to reveal Jon Jordan, Frank Sidoris and Ron Ficarro saluting their guitars in the air right before Wolfgang leads us into the high powered Don’t Back Down. The band’s high energy out of the gate was only matched by the fans’ hysteria. When the song concludes the cheers and roaring applause are so loud Wolfgang can only look and smile in amazement until he can gather himself to say “I knew this one was gonna be good. Welcome to our largest headline show… ever. And I have a feeling it’s going to be the loudest as well”. This announcement naturally fueled the crowd’s ovation even more.
Coming in behind Wolfgang’s finger tap dancing solo in the high charged Mr. Ed, we get our first taste of acoustic music off the album. As his guitar tech walks out the appropriate guitar, Wolfgang laughingly tells the fans “You’re the first crowd to actually howl for me” which just amplifies their reaction. As Resolve starts to strum its way to us, the floor begins to light up like stars in the sky with the illuminating cell phones. The more intimate tone in the room gives Van Halen’s voice the space to really take off and also gives guitarists Jon Jordan the chance to show off his vocal range and Frank Sidoris time to pull off a solid solo.
MAMMOTH WVH had a surprise in store for everyone with the next song of the set. Wolfgang had mentioned earlier one of his favorite parts of shows like this is being able to play ALL the songs. But this next one was a bonus track on the Japanese album release, and most if not all those in attendance have never heard it before. I personally think we’ve been cheated that this wasn’t on the U.S. album (jokingly, but kind of not).
The intro paints a subtle appearance before Van Halen’s aggressive guitar riff and drummer Garrett Whitlock’s percussive barrage act like an adrenaline shot to the chest. This head banging locomotive got the entire crowd moving until the final note and hands down my favorite song of the night.
The next three songs would keep the energy going and the crowd wanting more as MAMMOTH WVH served up tracks like You’re to Blame, The Big Picture and Think It Over which Wolfie would inform the fans was his dad’s favorite song on the album. Hearing that made me very happy and I couldn’t help but smile that Eddie was able to hear his son’s first album before he had passed.
I can only imagine how proud of a moment that was for both of them. Circles has been a favorite of mine since the first time I heard it. Its multilayered harmonies now being supplied by Jordan, Sidoris and bassist Ron Ficcaro add such a fullness to the song. But it’s Wolfgang’s powerfully soulful voice that elevates the emotional tide near the song’s end that sounded very reminiscent of Miles Kennedy.
For the last song of the set the band’s techs would tote out a keyboard to center stage as Wolfgang tells us “While on tour with Guns, this is usually setup already. But I didn’t wanna fuck up the view for you guys”. As a photographer shooting the show, I appreciated that gesture very much, as I’m sure all the fans up front did as well. Stone has a kind of Deftones feel to it, but quickly ramps up to stunning verses and elated chorus lines that definitely gives you that motivation to give it your all in an attempt to hit those notes.
Right after the song’s breakdown there was a break in the music as the fans filled the void with applause. But Wolfgang wanted a little more of a response, so he demanded “Make some fucking noise” which in return all but blew the band off stage. The crowd’s reaction and the song selection itself really closed out the set in such an epic way. And judging by the stage crew, it looks like MAMMOTH WVH might have a few more for us and the show’s not over just yet.
When the band returned to the stage the ovation from the fans was at a deafening level. Wolfgang tells the crowd “I wish we had a whole other album to play for you guys because you have been so amazing. This next song is the first song we ever released. So if you know it, sing along”. On a four count from Garrett, Jon Jordan strums the familiar opening chord of Wolfgang’s tribute to his father with the chart smashing track Distance.
The fans gave every breath to the meaningful offering and you could not only see it on Wolfgang’s face as he sang, but could truly feel all of the emotion in the room. I am personally glad that Eddie’s voicemail to his son wasn’t added to the end of the song, because I don’t think there would have been a dry eye in the building.
With cheers still ringing out Garrett Whitlock and Ron Ficarro lay down a beat as Wolfgang fills the crowd in on one last secret. “If you guys have been paying attention, you’d notice that people are filming. They’re getting footage because this next song is our next single and our next video”. As the eruption of excitement ensues, the house lights come on to reveal their reaction to the band and it was all smiles on stage.
Following the band’s introduction, Wolfgang’s lead riff would take them the rest of the way and into our final song of the night with the uplifting Epiphany. This would be another superb example of MAMMOTH WVH’s dynamic song writing, creating the perfect blend of moving vocal resonance with a driving guitar riff behind it. The piano section adds a Queen-like harmonic unison with Jon Jordan, Ron Ficarro and Frank Sidoris joining Van Halen’s vocal melody. After an amazing 15 song performance MAMMOTH WVH give the fans a send off as the stage lights ignite like fireworks before the band gather at center stage to give their fans a final bow.
Fourteen years ago on this very date, I watched as one of the most iconic musicians of my time shared the stage with his 16 year old son and the joy that it brought both of them. Now at the age of 30, Wolfgang Van Halen has accomplished so much in such a short amount of time and with his talents, will achieve so much more. In less than a year he has already had a No 1 debut album, multiple singles hit the No 1 spot, toured North America on one of the biggest tours of the year with none other than Guns & Roses while also headlining his own shows in between.
Throughout the night Wolfgang could be caught with a smile from ear to ear due to the ovation the band would received from the crowd. He has undoubtably forged his own path musically and ushered in a new era of the Van Halen name. Even though many fans had traditional Van Halen merch on, the room was filled with MAMMOTH WVH fans and I have no doubt their allegiance will only grow stronger moving forward.
This musical inception may have been brought to life by Wolfgang, but he has put together an exceptionally talented group of musicians to deliver the music of the incredible album to their fans all over the world. MAMMOTH WVH’s memorable time on the road came to an extraordinary close in Hollywood, Fl on Sunday night. But I know I can speak for their fans when I say we can’t wait for new music and and to see this band on the road again!
