POWER TRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL BLASTS PAST DAY TWO

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Day Two Review by Lisa Lynn Morgan / CoachellaValley.com

Photo by Brandon Ray Henderson

JUDAS PRIEST was a last minute add to the Power Trip 2023 lineup with Black Sabbath’s front man cancelling to battle health issues. But if you thought this was going to be show thrown together to fill a spot, well – you had “another thing comin’.”

Photo Courtesy of CoachellaValley.com Fans

Living their lyrics, “I’m on top as long as the music’s loud,” the band took the title for the loudest show at Power Trip to date, clocking in at 111 decibels. It was an intense, full arsenal performance from a road ready gang of thunder slingers who show no signs of half-assing anything ever. Flawless and intense, frontman, Rob Halford, performed as strong as if not stronger than ever. And when longtime guitarist, Glenn Tipton, joined the guitar army, demonstrating no obvious signs of his struggle with Parkinsons, you could feel the love in your chest harder than the monster bass and drums on which this family of metal gods have built their universe. Judas Priest was triumphant. Their path to this place was painful. Day two of Power Trip was the platform that reminded everyone why Judas Priest is universally considered one of the most influential bands of their genre.

Photo Courtesy of CoachellaValley.com Fans

Photo Courtesy of CoachellaValley.com Fans

Photo Courtesy of CoachellaValley.com Fans

POWER TRIP DAY ONE

Judas Priest Decibel Level

Photo by Brandon Ray Henderson

AC/DClighted red horns adorned the heads of fans from the reserved seats and bleachers to the farthest reaches of the GA section. The anticipation hung in the air like an electrical storm waiting to release its lightning. And then, thunder struck, so to speak, complete with pyrotechnics. “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It),” poured out from one of the most iconic bands in the world for the first time since 2016.

Thousands of AC/DC light up horns sold and seen throughout the crowd

Photo by Brandon Ray Henderson

Brian Johnson’s unparalleled vocals reunited us with the sound of our youth. There were a few times there seemed to be slight vocal struggle, but with brief breaks between each of their raging 24 song set, Johnson delivered a performance that was nothing short of heroic for a guy who had to bow out of their tour 7 years ago to deal with hearing loss issues.

Photo by Lisa Lynn Morgan

Photo by Lisa Lynn Morgan

Photo by Lisa Lynn Morgan

Our hearts were on fire as we watched the legendary Angus Young in signature form and dress, performing on a surreal level, no holds barred, as if we were watching him 30 years ago, no holds barred, all in, giving us the same energy and flare that made us fall in love with him decades ago. Matt Laug stepped in for drummer, Phil Rudd, bass man Cliff Williams came out of retirement, and Stevie Young joined his nephew, Angus, on guitar. It was a monumental experience.