There is no mistaking the gravitas on display tonight at Manchester’s AO Arena. Dubbed the The Vikings and Lionhearts Tour the co-headlined show featuring Machine Head and Amon Amarth is one of the most anticipated metal tours of 2022 and not due to any lack of competition.
Collaborative touring is something that metal has never shied away from and where some of the greatest success stories come from. The Big Four Tour of 2010, the 1990’s double team of Metallica and Guns N’ Roses, Megadeth and Lamb of God continuing to extend their mammoth run of dates together.
In fact co-headlining tours appear to be back bigger than ever, which makes perfect sense. As bands depart for their first tours post lockdown and still face concerning levels of uncertainty once they hit the road the ability to double down on fan bases and share the burden of touring what are all too often elaborate and impressive stage shows must have enormous appeal.
