Fozzy: Saving The World One Tour At A Time
The nights are drawing in and the UK weather is in its usual dismal state. With cold winter nights ahead, we can rejoice in the knowledge gig season is well underway. An abundance of raspy voices, expensive beer, and sticky floors will come wave after wave in the run up to Christmas. The UK has quite the reputation when it comes to receiving live music. Band across the globe look forward to returning to our shores. Including hard rock partiers FOZZY.
Starting this Friday (November 4th) at New Century Hall in Manchester, the Save The World tour whisks the band across the UK and Ireland for ten nights of balls to the wall euphoria. Who better to ask what fans should expect than FOZZY’s own vocalist? “This is our biggest tour we’ve ever gone in the UK,” Chris Jericho starts, catching us peeking at the various pieces of rock the wrestling memorabilia behind him. “When we last came to the UK, the shows were sold our before we even got on the plane, so we wanted to ramp it up. Play those bigger rooms. Go out with a bigger band like ESCAPE THE FATE and just continue to grow the magical fan base we’ve had in the UK since day one.”
Steadfast fans of FOZZY will know just how special the UK is to the band. Various slots at both Download and Bloodstock as well as shows at the London Astoria demonstrate that appreciation is reciprocated. Though last year’s visit to the UK was not a smooth one for Chris. A hospitalisation due to a pulmonary embolism rendered the vocalist unable to sing. “That was a little bit scary because you don’t know, right?” comes with an unsure smile. “You could go to the hospital with a broken finger and it’s scary to be in there. The doctors didn’t want me singing because there was evidence of blood clots in my throat, so we had to think outside the box.” With two cancelled shows already under their belts, the band were determined to avoid a repeat performance. With that in mind, the last night of the tour at the O2 Academy Islington underwent a transformation. Rather than a typical FOZZY show, fans were treated to an early playback of latest album Boombox as well as a Q&A session with the band. “It ended up being a pretty unique and fun night!” Chris grins.
Fast forward to the present day and another issue arises. Chris recently suffered a bruised larynx at an event for All Elite Wrestling (AEW). This meant tour dates across the US were postponed. UK fans began to speculate their own tour would be shelved. “I thought once the bruise was gone, you can just sing again. Doesn’t work like that,” he laughs. “When my voice started coming back I had to really start training it. I’m super excited to get back out on the road but it’s a test.”
Full steam ahead, we plunge into the art of set list building. With Boombox (2022) and Judas (2017) spouting five top ten singles between them, the band found themselves with less room to experiment. “We’ve got the eight songs you have to play, then the other six or seven you can mess around with. It’s a great problem to have.” Chris says slyly, knowing exactly what we’re asking. “There are songs that were really popular in the UK like Purifier or The Vulture Club… you’ll have to come find out if we’re playing them.”
Something which has been cropping up in the scene as time has gone on is the concept of VIP tickets. FOZZY is no exception to the rule. Where some bands may offer a 30 second interaction and a group photo, Chris was keen to give fans more bang for their buck. In a package constructed by the vocalist, the experience consists of a meet and greet, private soundcheck where one lucky fan will be invited to play on stage, photographs, and early access to the merch stall. “I would see some of the meet and greets and what they’re offering, and it would be like you get a picture with the roadies or MEATLOAF comes in for ten seconds and takes a group shot.” Chris tells us with a scrunch of the face, “It just seems like you’re missing some opportunities to do something special.” When we asked which bands or artists he would love to see do the same, the answer is obvious for a long term fan of Chris Jericho; “I tried to get on the [Paul] McCartney one but it’s a very exclusive fanclub and even I can’t breach those walls yet.”
While we could encourage fans and the like to join Team DS for the final night of the tour at O2 Forum Kentish Town on November 14th, we wanted to leave the sales pitch to the man of the hour. “It really is a rock n’ roll party,” Chris says with a flash of a smile. “I know there are issues in the UK right now. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. We want to provide a little freedom from that. We’re coming over there with the goal of making sure everybody has a great fucking time when they come see us and that’s what you’re gonna get.”
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