What Lies Within Tour Featuring Alter Bridge, Big Wreck and Tim Montana Hits Buffalo RiverWorks

Alter Bridge / Big Wreck / Tim Montana – Buffalo, NY

***Alter Bridge – Buffalo RiverWorks, Buffalo, NY***

Eight albums into their career, Alter Bridge have built a catalog that gives them plenty of room to move between hard hitting rock and more melodic, emotionally charged material. Sunday night at Buffalo RiverWorks put that range on display as the band brought the What Lies Within Tour to Buffalo, joined by Canadian rockers Big Wreck and opener Tim Montana.

Tim Montana got the evening started with his southern influenced style and personal stories, while Big Wreck put Ian Thornley’s distinctive musicianship front and center. Both sets offered something different, but the night ultimately belonged to Alter Bridge, whose performance drew from across their catalog and highlighted the chemistry that has become such an important part of the band’s sound.

Tim Montana opened with “Get You Some,” introducing the audience to his mix of hard rock, southern influences, and rock and roll attitude. The ZZ Top cover “Brown Sugar,” a collaboration with Billy Gibbons and Slash, fit naturally into the set, while “Kinda Like It” brought a sludgier, heavier edge to the performance. Another highlight was “Watch Me Drown,” which features background vocals from the Crow Nation Singers.

Between songs, Montana was an animated storyteller, sharing experiences that have shaped both his music and outlook. Growing up in a mobile home without electricity, he learned to play guitar by candlelight, a story he frequently revisits during performances. He spoke openly about overcoming an underprivileged upbringing, his appreciation for the opportunities he has earned, and his deep respect for the military and pride in his country. One particularly memorable anecdote involved bringing his band to a cookout with Delta Force personnel from Fort Bragg. He also spoke about the artists who influenced him, offering another glimpse into his musical background. There was a personal quality to his performance that extended beyond the songs, and the audience was receptive throughout. Hopefully, Buffalo gets another opportunity to see Montana, this time with a longer set.

***Tim Montana – Buffalo RiverWorks, Buffalo, NY***

Next up was Canadian quartet Big Wreck, led by vocalist and guitarist Ian Thornley. Joined by Chris Caddell on guitar, Dave McMillan on bass, and Brett Haggarty on drums, the band had approximately 50 minutes to make its case. Opening with “The Oaf,” they moved through a selection that highlighted the different sides of their sound. “Locomotive” and the heavier “Bombs Away” leaned into their hard rock foundation, while “Inhale,” from The Pleasure and the Greed, brought attention to an album the band is celebrating with a 25th anniversary edition. The reissue also features a new version of “Breakthrough” with touring mate and longtime friend Myles Kennedy.

“Albatross” was a particular highlight, pairing its beautiful twelve string guitar arrangement with Thornley’s slide guitar work and outstanding vocals. Big Wreck move comfortably between heavy riffs, progressive arrangements, and blues inspired guitar work, giving their songs a character that is difficult to pin down. Their arrangements also leave room for vocal harmonies and instrumental interplay, something that was especially apparent throughout the set. They closed with “That Song,” prompting a massive singalong from the audience. The set felt a little short, but Big Wreck made good use of their time, giving fans a chance to appreciate the musicianship and guitar work that have earned the band such a strong following.

By the time Alter Bridge took the stage, anticipation had been building throughout the venue. Opening with “Silent Divide,” the band quickly moved into “Addicted to Pain,” followed by “Cry of Achilles” and “Fortress.” It was a strong opening stretch, with Myles Kennedy’s vocals cutting through the band’s powerful instrumental arrangements.

***Big Wreck – Buffalo RiverWorks, Buffalo, NY***

Kennedy handled vocals and guitar alongside Mark Tremonti on guitar, with Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums. The interplay between Kennedy and Tremonti remains one of the band’s defining strengths. Their different approaches give the songs an interesting dynamic, while Marshall and Phillips keep everything firmly grounded. “Burn It Down” offered a change of pace with Tremonti taking over vocal duties, another reminder of the different strengths within the band.

Kennedy appeared relaxed and comfortable throughout the performance, making occasional jokes and taking time to acknowledge the other bands on the bill. He described Montana as an exceptional storyteller and expressed his admiration for Big Wreck. At another point, he reminded the audience that the music was being performed without tracks, remarking, “That’s what happens when all the instruments are real.” It was a lighthearted exchange that also drew attention to the musicianship happening on stage.

With eight studio albums behind them, Alter Bridge have plenty of material to draw from, and the setlist reflected the range of their catalog. “Silver Tongue” brought out the heavier side of the band, while “Blackbird” and “Watch Over You” offered some of the night’s more emotionally charged moments. Familiar favorites including “Open Your Eyes” and “Broken Wings” brought some of the loudest responses of the evening. The variety kept the set moving while giving longtime fans plenty of familiar material alongside newer songs.

“Rise Today” and “Metalingus” brought the main set to a close, with the latter prompting another round of crowd singing. The band returned for an encore featuring “Slip to the Void,” a tour debut, before finishing with “Isolation.”

While the lineup offered plenty to appreciate throughout the evening, Alter Bridge were the clear centerpiece. The band’s chemistry was evident from the opening notes, with Kennedy and Tremonti bringing different strengths to the same songs and a deep catalog giving the performance plenty of range. Buffalo RiverWorks got a strong reminder of what makes Alter Bridge such a compelling live band, and the What Lies Within Tour gave fans another chance to hear that catalog come to life.