Halestorm Storms Boardwalk Rock with Fire and Fury

by Dave Parsons

It had been a successful first day of the inaugural year for Boardwalk Rock, the newest addition to the roster of festivals held just off season, on the inlet beach in Ocean City, Maryland.  The weather was a little overcast, a bit of a breeze was going on, and by all accounts, a beautiful day. Dozens of bands had been playing nonstop for the last 7-plus hours, and the crowd made its way to the Bolt stage one last time.

Despite the beautiful weather all day, the forecast for that end of the festival called for a Halestorm.  A band forged of raw ambition and family ties, Halestorm stomped onto the stage with force.  Being the last act on this stage for the day, it was more than bringing riffs.  Halestorm brought an attitude that felt invincible, as if they’d harnessed the Halestorm they’re named for and released it upon the Maryland Shore.

Formed in 2009 by siblings Lzzy and Arejay Hale in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, Halestorm stormed up the charts on their first album with hits like I Get Off and Familiar Taste of Poison. Their self-titled debut album in 2012 secured them a Grammy for Love Bites (So Do I) three years later, and they are still the youngest band to win in the metal category. Over the past decade, Halestorm has grown into another realm as entertainers, musicians, and performers.

From the moment she kicked open the show with Fallen Star, Lzzy demanded attention. Her sharp eyeliner, studded leather, and contagious smile, jumping between platforms, arms raised, and moving with calculated precision.  For all her tough girl exterior, it was sweet to see her on the side of the stage, behind the speakers, and not drawing attention to herself, watching some of the bands that went on before her.  Festivals are a prime place for that brotherhood and sisterhood of the genre to shine, and sadly, it happens less and less.  It was good to see her out there supporting Bush and Mammoth.

It’s always been the drummers who keep the bands together, and playing drums with his sister all of these years has got to be a double blessing.  Arejay Hale looked calm as the lights went down, but he egged the crowd’s applause with his right arm above his head, and each hit sounded like a bomb went off to the point it was vibrating through your sandals. 

Joe Hottinger plays rhythm guitar and occasionally switches to lead. In either case, he let his hands do the talking.  Watching him accent Lzzy’s vocals all night, either with blistering leads on the bangers or coaxing sounds for the more subtle songs, he was a pleasure to watch. Josh Smith plays bass, keeping the pulse moving beneath the chaos. His head bobbed endlessly as he melted into the pure rock sound the band was giving to the crowd.

There wasn’t a slump, let alone a lull in the setlist.  Each time she finished a verse, Lzzy pressed forward, seeking connection with a thumbs up, a stare locked for a few seconds and the nonstop flipping of picks to the barrier crew. rearms—ironically matching Halestorm’s initials. As they launched into the second song, Mz. Hyde, the band fully locked in the same first gear, then blasted into second. WATCH OUT! was a delight to watch them play with each other, and I Get Off took things up another notch.

By the time they got down to Familiar Taste of Poison, Lzzy pulled the set into darker depths. Her voice cut through the cooler, misty air, as the band weaved minor-key guitar lines and rhythm. It was the perfect setup for crashing into Rain Your Blood on Me. A few songs later, Arejay took an extended drum solo that further showed why the band has been so successful for so long, besides the songs.  This was a first-class rock and roll show.

I Miss the Misery was intimate, and then Love Bites (So Do I) took things in the direct opposite direction, proving the decades-old ride halfway up the beach was not the only roller coaster inside this festival. When they transitioned into Black Vultures, the pace dropped again, and the song’s lyrics brought the crowd together as one.

When they poured into I Am the Fire, it was evident they were headed for the finish line.   Lzzy’s posture was triumphant: she came, she saw, she conquered.   Two more songs to finish this gathering off, with the thousands before her in the sand, Back from the Dead and Everest had the faithful singing every note to the end.

As the last stage lights dimmed for the evening, the memory of Halestorm’s storm lingered on the sand. Boardwalk Rock’s brand of high-energy artistry had found an anchor —raw and real. The crowd emptied out onto the boardwalk, still full of the energy they had brought all day, and ready to come back in 12 hours and do it all again.

Halestorm Setlist – May 17, 2025 – Boardwalk Rock, Ocean City, MD

1. Fallen Star
2. Mz. Hyde
3. WATCH OUT!
4. I Get Off
5. It’s Not You
6. Uncomfortable
7. Darkness Always Wins
8. Familiar Taste of Poison
9. Rain Your Blood on Me
10. Wicked Ways
11. Drum Solo
12. I Miss the Misery
13. Love Bites (So Do I)
14. Black Vultures
15. I Am the Fire
16. Back From the Dead
17. Everest