Fresh from Download Festival, Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger brought a very different side of Halestorm to Southampton’s Engine Rooms for an intimate evening of stripped-back arrangements. Despite the “unplugged” billing, there was nothing small about the atmosphere inside the venue, which was packed right to the back wall.
With no support acts and no opener, the night belonged entirely to Lzzy and Joe. Split into two sets with a short interval in the middle, the format gave the pair plenty of time to perform and share the stories behind the songs. The evening created a far more personal experience than a standard Halestorm show.
The biggest revelation of the evening was just how extraordinary Lzzy Hale’s voice truly is. Anyone familiar with Halestorm already knows she is one of the greatest rock vocalists of this generation, but hearing those vocals in a stripped-back setting was something else entirely. It felt like her voice could have been heard from halfway down the street outside the venue.
The unplugged format breathed new life into songs fans thought they already knew. Without the wall of guitar and drum lines, the emotion within the lyrics became impossible to miss. Songs took on new meanings, and Lzzy’s introductions and anecdotes provided new insight into the origins and inspirations.
Several piano-led performances were particular highlights, showcasing both the vulnerability and power that sit at the heart of Halestorm’s songwriting. The quieter arrangements allowed every lyric to resonate.
Pride Month was also acknowledged during the show, with Lzzy delivering a heartfelt speech about acceptance and being unapologetically yourself. It was a sincere moment that reflected the welcoming atmosphere that I felt throughout the concert.
One of the night’s most entertaining stories came when Lzzy revealed that “Private Parts” had been added to the setlist after fans challenged her to play it. The gamble paid off immediately. The audience enthusiastically took on the guest vocal parts, turning the song into a massive singalong.
The set also included several covers from the “Mothers of Rock” – women who helped shape Lzzy into the artist she is today.
Of course, there were also references to Halestorm’s recent Download Festival triumph. Lzzy joked about the now-infamous Ferris wheel that became an unlikely talking point of the weekend, drawing plenty of laughter from those who had made the trip to Donington only days earlier.
One of my highlights of the night was “Freak Like Me”. Already a live favourite, the acoustic version somehow felt even more powerful. The song culminated in a ridiculously long note from Lzzy that was one of those moments that left the entire room staring in disbelief before erupting into applause.
The duo also delivered a stunning rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”, with Lzzy’s vocal performance reminding everyone exactly why she is regarded as one of the finest singers working in rock today.
What made this show so special was the opportunity to experience Halestorm songs from an entirely different perspective. The unplugged setting stripped away the spectacle and exposed the heart of the music, revealing layers of emotion that can sometimes be hidden beneath arena-sized production.
For a band capable of commanding thousands of people, there was something uniquely special about watching two musicians hold a packed Southampton venue completely spellbound with little more than a piano, a guitar and a phenomenal voice.
