Four years ago Oct of 2019, I covered The HU band’s very first tour in the US here in Denver. Their debut album, The Gereg, garnered critical acclaim around the world selling out venues across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In 2020 they were the first group to receive Mongolia’s highest state award, the Order of Genghis Khan. In November of 2022 they received UNESCO's “Artist For Peace” in Paris, France. They were the first artist in the Rock/metal genre to receive this award.
With the fog rolling across the stage, The Hu came out to a thundering roar from the crowd. Opening their set with “Shihi Hutu” from the 2022 album, Rumble of Thunder, The HU set the tone for a night of amazing musicianship with vocals that are described as, “throat”! As they moved through their set, head banging, displaying their traditional instruments, and moving about the stage, I was reminded about the first time I saw them live. They were very reserved on stage, they didn’t move about but seemed to concentrate on their music which blew me away back then.
Years of touring behind them, they are very comfortable on stage and their stage presence highlights their powerful music. Lead singer Jaya would chat with the crowd between songs and at one point they let everyone know they were helping the victims of the wildfires in Canada through contributions. The roar from the crowd was deafening hearing this.
The Hu, winding down their set of amazing music,
finished their evening with, “Wolf Totem” and “This Is Mongol”. As the eight members all lined up across the front of the stage and took their bows, their fans, old and new let the band know, though they wanted more, they greatly appreciated a great night with them.
The Hu are:
Galbadrakh "Gala" Tsendbaatar – morin khuur, throat singing
Nyamjantsan "Jaya" Galsanjamts – tumur hhuur, tsuur, throat singing
Enkhsaikhan "Enkush" Batjargal – morin khuur, throat singing
Temuulen "Temka" Naranbaatar – tovshuur, backing vocals
Touring members:
Unumunkh "Ono" Maralkhuu – percussion, tumur hhuur, backing vocals
Jambaldorj "Jamba" Ayush – guitars, backing vocals
Nyamdavaa "Davaa" Byambaa – bass, backing vocals
Odbayar "Odko" Gantumur – drums
Setlist:
Shihi Hutu
Shoog shoog
Huhchu Zairan
The Gereg
YUT Hövende
Tatar Warrior
Upright Destined Mongol
Mother Nature
Black Thunder
Through the Never @Metallica Cover
Yuve Yuve Yu
Wolf Totem
This Is Mongol
With a quick turnover on stage it was time for Asking Alexandria. As the band took the stage, the crowd erupted with a roar of screams from the audience. As they started their first song, “The Violence”, Danny Worsnop wearing a ball cap with a hoodie over it, bounced his way on stage and jumped up on a riser to the roaring crowd. The energy level from the band right from the start was fun to watch as Danny moved back and forth on the risers and bassist Sam Bettley and lead guitarist Ben Bruce moved back and forth across the stage.
The lights danced through the thick fog and the band moved back and forth through time with songs, “Breathless” from their 2011 album Reckless and Relentless, “Dark Void” from their newest album, 2023’s Where Do We Go From Here. At times Danny would talk to the crowd and let them know how much they appreciated the support from their fans over the years, which the crowd let out a rousing cheer. The energy level didn’t slow down and after a quick break, Asking Alexandria ended
Their show with, “Let Go” from Where Do We Go From Here and “Alone in a Room” from the 2017 album Asking Alexandria. With their audience roaring and applauding, Asking Alexandria said good night.
There are not many shows left on this tour, but if you can, I highly recommend seeing this awesome tour!
Asking Alexandria are:
Ben Bruce
James Cassells
Cameron Liddell
Sam Bettley
Danny Worsnop
Setlist:
The Violence
Alone Again
Breathless
Killing You
Bad Blood
Moving On
Dark Void
Into the Fire
Where Did It Go?
To the Stage
A Prophecy
The Final Episode (Let's Change the Channel)
Let Go
Alone in a Room