How St. Louis was hit hard by Halestorm & Lindsey Stirling

My final concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater this summer turned out to be one of the best shows of the season. It was a hot night, featuring an unexpectedly cohesive lineup of Apocalyptica, Lindsey Stirling, and Halestorm. 

Starting first was the Finnish cello metal group, Apocalyptica, who set a bizarrely powerful tone for the night, as their stuff is out of the ordinary. Worldclass violinist Lindsey Stirling was up next, with a set that was a total burst of energy. From the moment she stepped onstage, she had the crowd hooked.

Stirling isn’t just a violinist, she’s a full-on performer in every sense of the word.

She danced, leapt, twirled, and flew across the stage — all while never missing a beat on her violin. Her mix of classical, pop, and electronic music creates a bubbly atmosphere, especially when sandwiched between two heavier rock acts like on this night.

Her backing visuals and choreography added an extra layer of excitement to her set. It wasn’t just a musical performance, it was a full visual experience. One moment she was gliding across the stage in a dramatic cape, the next she was locked into tight dance routines with her crew, next she is swinging around in a harness playing fast and intricate violin parts. The dedication and talent she brings to her performance is on another level. It’s easy to see why she’s built such a passionate fan base.

Then came Halestorm to close out the night and they did so with a bang.

From the first notes, the energy in the crowd spiked as lead singer and guitarist Lzzy Hale roared into her mic. Halestorm has a raw, gritty rock sound that perfectly contrasted and complemented Stirling’s theatrical set. And Lzzy knows how to work a stage, as well as how to connect with her audience. You could feel the crowd feeding off her energy.

The band, as a whole, was tight and explosive. Drummer Arejay Hale brought wild energy with his over-the-top solos and antics, while Joe Hottinger and Josh Smith added layers of heavy, crunchy riffs that kept the momentum going. Hits like “Love Bites (So Do I)” and “I Miss the Misery” hit just as hard live as you’d hope, with the crowd singing and screaming along. But it wasn’t all aggression; there were also heartfelt moments, like Lzzy’s more emotional songs that shows her versatility as a frontwoman.

Overall, the show was a powerful send-off to summer concert season. While Apocalyptica opened with style, it was Lindsey Stirling’s electric performance and Halestorm’s fiery finale that made the night truly memorable.

Photography by Sean Rider; recap by Michelle Zigler

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