Gloryhammer Magically Transported To The Kingdom of Dundee in NYC For “Red White and Hoots” Tour
Photography By Jimmy Gubitosi
Irving Plaza was magically transported to the Kingdom of Dundee on March 7th, 2024 when Gloryhammer and Twilight Force took us on mystical quests through DND and Space Knight infused power metal during their inaugural show supporting the “Red White and Hoots” Tour.
If you’ve never experienced the power of Gloryhammer, you are in for a treat. Started by Christopher Bowes, best known for being the frontman and founder of Alestorm, Gloryhammer is established in a very deep, 4 album lore that brings you on the never-ending story of Angus McFife and his band of unique cohorts as they fight the evil sorcerer Zargothrax and stop him from taking over the galaxy. And let me tell ya, this event was a Renaissance Fare goers dream.
Supporting them on this US and Canada tour is Fantasy and LARP inspired, symphonic power metal group Twilight Force, on their first ever tour of the United States. Filling in for their lead singer, Alessandro Conti while he was out on family leave, was touring and backup vocalist Kristin Starkey who’s insane and powerful operatic voice captivated the NYC audience And left them enamored and wanting more after the set concluded. If you’ve ever wanted to see Elves play guitars before this is the band for you. Personally, they aren’t my thing. But the performance was fun, they even had an inflatable dragon pool float bounce around the crowd, to which you can imagine didn’t last long, given that good old NY passion. Something else I wanted to know was that Twilight Force had some of the most creative merch I’ve ever seen. Besides the stunning artwork on the shirts that represent their albums, they also had custom “Magic: The Gathering” cards (signed), a TCG play mat, and other various items revolving around nerd culture, which is something I appreciated.
Gloryhammer took the stage by storm, starting with a cardboard standee of Tom Jones. Yes, you heard that right. Sadly the large castle set they had during the UK tour did not come with them to the US, which was something I was hoping to see. I was fortunate to see Gloryhammer less than a year ago at the same venue and I gave them the title of “greatest opening act I’ve ever seen” and I knew instantly that I NEEDED to shoot them the next time they came around. Playing a bunch of new songs from their latest album “Return to the Kingdom of Fife” and the crowd was super invested, and loved every second. Including the man dressed in a skin tight Goblin suit that runs on stage. Overall- Gloryhammer consistently kicks ass every time they play. Compared to their opening act, there was a severe lack of merch, which was something I was upset with, given that ordering merch online sends from overseas and the shipping isn’t kind. But they did have a tour shirt, a cool graphic one and a shirt parodying the video game “Doom”
The set list for the show was:
Incoming Transmission
Holy Flaming Hammer of Unholy Cosmic Frost
Gloryhammer
The Land of Unicorns
Fly Away
Angus McFife
Questlords of Inverness, Ride to the Galactic Fortress!
Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol
Fife Eternal
Masters of the Galaxy
Sword Lord of the Goblin Horde
The Siege of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust)
Keeper of the Celestial Flame of Abernethy
Universe on Fire
Hootsforce
The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee
Make sure to catch them on tour now!
