Halestorm – Treasure Island Resort and Casino -Welch MN – September 26th 2025

Halestorm (with Apocalyptica and Lindsey Stirling)  – Friday, September 26, 2025 at Treasure Island Resort and Casino, Welch, MN

Review by Catherine Zons, Photos by Jim Zons and Catherine Zons

Of all the shows I’ve seen at Treasure Island, Halestorm’s performance was probably the best–and not just because I love their music. 

The evening began with an expressive and unexpected performance by Apocalyptica, a Finnish band formed in Helsinki in 1993. Operating in a subgenre of hard rock known as “symphonic metal,” Apocalyptica blends the energetic rhythms and melodies of rock with classical orchestral sounds. The band is currently comprised of three classically trained cellists (Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso) as well as drummer Mikko Kaakkuriniemi. The band faced some uncertainty after experiencing a change in membership last year, but they seemed to have thoroughly bounced back and put on a great show.

Originally formed as an instrumental Metallica cover band, this early inspiration was evident through their set. Fans were encouraged to sing along to the band’s enthusiastic renditions of “Nothing Else Matters” and “Enter Sandman” and we were also treated to some original compositions. I found their sound and style super refreshing; it isn’t often that you get to connect classical music to rock-n-roll in a live setting, and that was so much fun! Apocalyptica’s set left the audience more excited about what was to come–and certainly made this audience member in particular more interested in how classical music can feel current and cool when it comes from four Finnish rock stars.

Apocalyptica was followed by an incredibly dynamic performance by Lindsey Stirling and her entourage of dancers and musicians. Originally from Santa Ana, California, Stirling found early success on YouTube and was a quarter-finalist on America’s Got Talent. She received some scathing critique from several AGT judges, who thought her performance style wouldn’t be interesting enough to sell tickets or fill stadiums. Luckily for me and everyone else in attendance on Friday night, she did not take these words to heart. Stirling’s performance was one of the most unique ones I’ve ever seen: her show masterfully bridged the divide between visual and auditory performance in a way that I’d never seen before. In an interview with Y Magazine, she explained, “A lot of people have told me along the way that my style and the music I do … is unmarketable. But the only reason I’m successful is because I have stayed true to myself.”

Stirling’s show featured masterful violin melodies, several costume changes, and near-continuous choreography that made me feel exhausted just to watch. She played a mix of covers, from Darude’s “Sandstorm” to Britney Spears’ “Toxic”, as well as some originals like “Crystallize” and “Til the Light Goes Out.” Stirling spent the whole time smiling and enthusiastic, and it was just so wonderful to watch a performer be so excited to give a great show. Stirling’s love of the seemingly incompatible worlds of violin and dance generated a one-of-a-kind live experience that I think will go unparalleled for a long time. 

After a brief break, Halestorm took the stage and absolutely burned the house down. Hailing (ha) from Red Lion, Pennsylvania, the hard rock band consists of lead singer and guitarist Lzzy Hale, guitarist Joe Hottinger, bassist Josh Smith, and drummer Arejay Hale. I was shocked to learn that all the bandmates are original and have been playing together in Halestorm since nearly its inception. The members shared a level of comfort on the stage that made their history evident. They interacted often while performing, from a beautifully harmonized guitar duet during “I Miss the Misery” to little pranks pulled on each other during the set. (My favorite one was when Joe Hottinger flicked all of Josh Smith’s extra guitar picks off his mic stand.)

Lzzy Hale’s exceptional vocal strength was on full display during this set. She was often belting and scream-singing, two harsh vocal techniques that are difficult to sustain for a whole set. Hale made these feats look easy, seemingly never breathless and constantly moving around the stage. We heard fan favorites like “Love Bites (and So Do I)” and “Freak Like Me,” as well as a prolonged drum solo featuring Arejay Hale with comically oversized drumsticks. The titular white Halestorm grand piano made an appearance on stage, and Lzzy performed both “Break In” and an acoustic cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” Fans were treated to a couple new songs from Everest, the band’s newest album, with the title track in particular being one I still haven’t been able to get out of my head since! Lindsey Stirling made a reappearance for Halestorm’s cover of Stirling’s “Shatter Me,” a vocal and violin duet that was a crowning highlight of the night for me.

The set concluded with “Here’s to Us,” a resilient and raucous track described as an “anthem for underdogs.” Written as a testament to Halestorm’s solidity as a band, the song now serves as a call to the audience to celebrate the gritty, messy, shared human experience of survival. It was a perfect cap to an evening of great music made through adversity and a dynamic end to an incredible show.