LIVE: MAMMOTH – Charlotte, NC, USA – November 9, 2025

Venue: The Fillmore Charlotte

City: Charlotte, NC

Dates: November 9, 2025

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)

Love when I get to cover a show and check off another band I love and have wanted to see live as well as getting the opportunity to take some photographs.  Mammoth rolled into Charlotte, and they came with a stacked lineup to entertain the masses.  Openers Return To dust played their rocking set and you could see fans being made one after the other as they played through their set.  Having seen them earlier this year on a festival stage, I knew immediately what we were in for, but it was refreshing to see an ever-growing crowd embrace new music.  After their set, Myles Kennedy and his band hit the stage and from the first song to the last, there is no doubt why he fronts other powerhouse rock bands – the guy can sing.  He plays some mean guitar as well, but the way his vocals carry across the venues sound system and delivers the lyrics with punch and attitude that envelopes the songs themselves.  The rhythm section behind him perfectly anchors the set and sound while his guitar licks and vocal prowess stand out in the mix.  Kennedy took little time between songs to set up the next, utilizing his limited time to deliver his music and cranking the crowd up to another level while we all waited for the headlining set.

The venue seemed to pack more people in by the minute as the time approached for Mammoth to hit the stage.  In darkness, the band took their places as frontman Wolfgang stayed in the shadows while the intro played out and into the first track and vocal, when he claimed his spot center stage.  With a new album, The End, to promote, the set kicked off with new track “One Of A Kind.”  The guitar playing was great… whether it was from Wolfgang himself or either guitarist flanking him – Frank Sidoris or Jonathan Jourdan.  His vocals were as pristine live as they are recorded, demonstrating that he is not fueled by studio tricks.  Playing most, if not everything, in the studio on the recorded tracks, the band behind him is a perfect extension of the sound and intention of the music.  Van Halen and the band played song after song, adding in some storytelling at times.  One of the more rousing occurrences was when he thanked Charlotte for coming out and showing up once again.  As he explained, this was the first major city he played when he debuted with Van Halen years ago.  Helping carry the sonic load was the bottom end – drummer Garrett Whitlock and bassist Ronnie Ficarro.  I loved hearing “The Spell” and “Epiphany” sandwiched together  as I made my way out of the pit to stow my camera and settle in near the back of the venue to enjoy a Sunday evening of rock and roll played with all of the heart and soul of the music I cut my teeth on.  There is something about the spirit of this kid and his band that struck me song after song.  Sorry, Wolfgang… I know you asked us all to quit calling you a kid, but when you get as long in the tooth as this rock fan, you might get called out as a youngster.  That’s where the child play ends though.  The music ebbed and flowed through the course of the set but make no mistake – this was an intense evening full of rockers that kept you on the edge of your seat waiting to hear what came next.  As the set played out weaving together the sonic fabric of the various releases, you could feel the anticipation in the air as the band worked through “Distance” which launched his solo career.  After that track, a killer duo of new tracks “All in Good Time” and “I Really Wanna” sandwiching “Take a Bow” to close the set was a perfect ending to a great night of rock.  But wait… there’s more.  Wolfgang and his merry band of rockers brought a powerful encore of “Don’t Back Down” and “The End” to send us out into the night facing the end of a weekend and work the next morning, but with enough good vibes and sounds echoing through our heads that we didn’t care what tomorrow would bring.

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

COMPLETE SET OF MAMMOTH PHOTOS

COMPLETE SET OF MYLES KENNEDY PHOTOS

COMPLETE SET OF RETURN TO DUST PHOTOS

[Show as slideshow]

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries