Blazing Rock and Relentless Heat: The Greatest Of All Tours Sets Tampa on Fire
Tampa, FL (August 8th, 2025)
When you think of the word hot, Florida and August are definitely part of the conversation. The sun is relentless, the humidity wraps around you like a heavy blanket, and the air itself feels thick enough to chew. Now, joining that conversation of all things scorching is The Greatest Of All Tours. Headlined by Danish rock giants Volbeat, with support from Halestorm and The Ghost Inside, this three-act juggernaut brought a wall of sound, sweat, and passion to the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa.
From the moment doors opened, it was clear that fans were ready. The crowd arrived early, filling the venue even before the first notes rang out. Despite the intense heat and the ever-present haze of summer in Florida, the energy in the air was electric. Fans buzzed with anticipation, many decked out in band shirts and festival gear, prepared to be scorched by something much more powerful than the sun.
The Ghost Inside opened the evening and wasted no time setting the tone. Their brand of melodic hardcore has always carried emotional weight, but their performance in Tampa was something more. It was defiant and triumphant.
Kicking off with “Going Under,” the band launched into their set with overwhelming energy. Jonathan Vigil’s vocals were a mixture of fury and heart, his performance matched by Zach Johnson and Chris Davis on guitar, who brought both crushing breakdowns and soaring melodic lines. Andrew Tkaczyk’s drumming was a force that shook the stage, his precision anchoring the band’s emotional rollercoaster.
The crowd responded with open arms. Songs like “Dear Youth,” “Earn It,” and “Death Grip” hit hard, delivering both lyrical grit and mosh-worthy aggression. One of the most powerful moments came during “Avalanche,” a song that speaks to perseverance and rebuilding. The emotional response in the pit was palpable. Fans screamed along while some simply stood still, absorbing the weight of the lyrics.
They closed their set with “Aftermath,” an anthem that truly defines their journey. Rising from the ashes of personal loss and physical trauma, The Ghost Inside gave a performance that felt like a testament to survival. The cheers that followed their final bow were more than polite applause. They were earned.
As twilight fell over the amphitheater, Halestorm took the stage and brought a full-on storm of their own. Frontwoman Lzzy Hale, dressed in a black leather bodysuit and thigh-high patent boots, walked on with authority and confidence. Behind her, her brother and drummer Arejay Hale sat grinning behind the kit, wearing Mickey Mouse ears in a playful nod to their Florida surroundings.
Halestorm exploded into their set with “Fallen Star,” a track from their latest album Everest. From that moment on, they did not let up. Lzzy’s vocals soared across the humid night, raw and powerful, proving once again that she is one of rock’s most commanding voices. The band was equally tight, with Joe Hottinger on guitar and Josh Smith on bass driving the pulse of every song with expert precision.
The setlist was a perfect blend of old and new. Fan favorites like “Love Bites (So Do I)” and “Freak Like Me” sent the crowd into a frenzy, while newer songs such as “Rain Your Blood on Me” and “Darkness Always Wins” showed the band’s evolution in sound. The dynamics shifted when Lzzy moved to the keyboard for “Like a Woman Can,” bringing a softer but no less intense mood to the performance.
“WATCH OUT!” and “I Miss the Misery” pushed the energy into overdrive before the band delivered “Everest,” a song that has quickly become a crowd favorite. As the final notes of “Here’s to Us” echoed through the amphitheater, Halestorm delivered one last punch with “I Get Off,” closing their set with the same fire they began with.
Halestorm did more than perform. They connected, pouring everything into their music and pulling that same energy from the crowd. It was an hour of pure electricity and one of the strongest performances of the night.
By the time Volbeat took the stage, the crowd was fully primed and ready. There was no dramatic pause, no slow build. The band came out swinging with three of their most well-known hits: “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown,” “Lola Montez,” and “A Warrior’s Call.” The crowd roared in approval, singing along with every word and moving as one giant wave of excitement.
Volbeat’s unique blend of heavy metal, rockabilly, and classic rock influences made for a set that felt fresh and nostalgic all at once. Michael Poulsen’s vocals were in top form, his stage presence cool and confident as always. New guitarist Flemming C. Lund’s work was razor sharp, and the rhythm section held it all together with unshakable force.
The setlist offered a deep dive into the band’s discography. Tracks like “Sad Man’s Tongue,” “Fallen,” and “Demonic Depression” gave longtime fans plenty to love, while the newer material from their latest album God Of Angels Trust brought a powerful, modern edge to the show.
One of the more engaging moments came before “Shotgun Blues,” when Poulsen encouraged fans to crowd surf. He offered a t-shirt to the first person who made it to the front and, true to his word, handed it over with a grin. It was a small gesture, but one that highlighted the connection between band and audience.
The band followed with the long-titled and theatrically intense “In the Barn of the Goat Giving Birth to Satan’s Spawn in a Dying World of Doom.” Its live debut was met with cheers and plenty of headbanging, as fans soaked in the spectacle.
As the night drew to a close, Volbeat delivered “For Evigt,” a beautiful tribute Poulsen dedicated to his family in Denmark. The song provided a moment of emotional clarity amid the heavy riffs. The band then tore through “Seal the Deal” and closed the show with their signature anthem “Still Counting.”
In a final heartwarming moment, Volbeat invited all the kids who had come with their parents to join them on stage for the final chorus. The sight of young rock fans jumping and singing under the lights added a personal and unforgettable touch to the show’s finale.
The Greatest Of All Tours lived up to its name in Tampa. The Ghost Inside brought resilience and passion. Halestorm delivered power and polish. Volbeat offered raw energy, a masterful setlist, and moments of genuine human connection.
The Florida heat was intense, but it only added to the atmosphere. Sweat and sound filled the air, and by the end of the night, every person in the venue knew they had witnessed something special.
For a night that began in the blazing sun and ended in a thunderstorm of guitars and cheers, this concert was a celebration of everything live rock music is meant to be. Tampa came to rock, and The Greatest Of All Tours made sure they left satisfied.
The Ghost Inside:
Halestorm:
Volbeat:
MIDFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre: