Photo of Mammoth’s Wolfgang Van Halen by Laura Jerele
You’d never know it by looking at him, but Wolfgang Van Halen walked onto The Factory’s stage having just come off a hospital visit. Mid-set, he casually dropped the bomb that the show almost didn’t happen because he’d been hospitalized the night before with a kidney stone! And yet, somehow, he still looked sharp, sounded phenomenal, and played with the kind of heart that only someone fully devoted to their craft can muster. He didn’t just show up, he showed out!
St. Louis has gotten to know Mammoth WVH pretty well by now. Their last stop here was that coveted opening slot for Metallica, preceded by a headlining gig at Red Flag (which we covered), and they even made a secret stop in town while on a different tour to film the music video for “Same Old Song.” But this Factory show felt like a different level entirely: it was bigger, cleaner, more confident, and absolutely arena-ready.
Wolfgang’s style has always been fully his own. Yeah, ok, so there’s that undeniable Van Halen lineage, but he’s carved out a lane all his own that blends finesse, dexterity, and a refreshingly modern rock sensibility. In short, he’s talented AF and you cannot deny that. What really stands out to me is his songwriting and tonight’s setlist showcased his thoughtful, melodic, heavy when it needs to be, and emotionally grounded songs. It’s no small feat that he composed and performed every note on all three Mammoth records. And on top of all that? The man can sing. Really sing.
The band he’s assembled have a blast being on the stage, running around and playing to the audience the entire show. Frank Sidoris and Jon Jourdan are on guitars, Ronnie Ficarro on bass, and Garrett Whitlock on drums don’t just play the songs, they elevated them with tight performances and massive amounts of energy. They really bring Wolfgang’s studio craftsmanship to life. The stage setup was deceptively simple but incredibly effective. Clean lines, minimal clutter, and then a massive light show that turned the room into something closer to a full-blown arena show. It was striking without ever feeling overwhelming, definitely a design choice that matched the band’s vibe: focused, controlled, polished, and powerful. So…no, there was not an obligatory wall of amps that you might have expected!
Despite the circumstances leading into the night, Wolfgang Van Halen delivered a performance that was not lacking in any bit of energy and sincerity. He was all over that stage, playing the hell outta his guitar and he sang his heart out! He didn’t lean on theatrics, and he didn’t need to. He played with grit, humor (seriously, there’s a song called “Stone”!), precision, and a determination that makes him both endearing and unstoppable. Mammoth gave St. Louis a performance that was not only resilient, but down right fantastic! This is a true musician who continues to prove he’s far more than a legacy: he’s a force all his own.
Before Mammoth took the stage, Myles Kennedy delivered a set that felt more like a masterclass! His voice is beyond stellar and he is also quite the understated guitarist. His setlist leaned heavily into his newest album, The Art of Letting Go, giving us tracks that showed off his impeccable vocal precision and range. “Nothing More to Gain” felt warm and introspective—not like a punch in the heart, but more with a lasting and memorable effect. I liked that song a lot! The closing song was huge, “Say What You Will” is a banger that made a perfect end to his set. It was one of those openers where you find yourself thinking, “This could’ve been its own show,” and no one would’ve complained. His songs were very catchy and melodic and his voice has incredible and impressive power!
Kicking the whole night off was Return to Dust, who really came out swinging with a fast and tight set that was super heavy, a bit grungy but in a very modern and sharp way. They’re young and have so much energy, I don’t think they know how to play anything less than at full throttle. The band features London Hudson on drums (yes, that would be Slash’s son), and he hits with heaviness and bounce, a seriously unbothered force that showed his talent and rhythm might literally be hereditary. Joining him were guitarists Matty Bielawski and Sebastian Gonzalez and bassist Graham Stanush, creating this super heavy, super melodic, and an unapologetically fresh take on all things heavy with a lot of youthful exuberance. They played like a band hungry for bigger stages, and honestly, after last night, I wouldn’t bet against them landing there! They certainly didn’t feel like a meek opening band, but rather they made the most of their set, earning fans and very much creating a triple-bill feel! And with London and Wolfgang both having phenomenally talented fathers, it’s beyond worth pointing out that no matter what, they still have to go out and prove on their own that they kick ass…and damn, did they ever do that! | Laura Jerele
Mammoth setlist:
One of a Kind
Another Celebration at the End of the World
The Spell
Epiphany
Same Old Song
Like a Pastime
Optimist
Stone
Happy
Mammoth
Resolve
Distance
All in Good Time
Take a Bow
I Really Wanna
Don’t Back Down
The End
