Judas Priest is one of the most iconic heavy metal bands of all time, having formed in 1969 and continuing to tour and release new music to this day. Their worldwide tours always include top-notch opening acts to get the crowd excited before Judas Priest takes the stage. For their upcoming 2023 tour, Judas Priest has chosen an exciting up-and-coming band to open their shows.
Judas Priest’s Legendary History
Judas Priest originally formed in West Bromwich, England in 1969. The founding members were lead vocalist Al Atkins and bassist Brian “Bruno” Stapenhill, along with John Perry and John “Fezza” Partridge on guitar. Over the next few years, the lineup went through several changes until Rob Halford joined as lead vocalist in 1973. This began the classic Judas Priest lineup along with guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer John Hinch.
The band’s first album, “Rocka Rolla,” was released in 1974 but it wasn’t until their second album “Sad Wings of Destiny” (1976) that they began defining the Judas Priest sound. The twin lead guitars of Downing and Tipton, combined with Halford’s operatic vocals, became instantly recognizable. As the 1970s progressed, Judas Priest unleashed a string of genre-defining classic metal albums like “Stained Class” (1978), “Hell Bent for Leather” (1979), and “British Steel” (1980).
Hits like “Breaking the Law,” “Living After Midnight,” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” made Judas Priest global superstars in the 1980s. Their studs-and-leather image became synonymous with heavy metal fashion. Even when Halford left the band in the 1990s, Judas Priest soldiered on with new singers before welcoming back Halford triumphantly in the 2000s. Today, Halford, Tipton, and Hill remain from the classic lineup along with guitarist Richie Faulkner who joined in 2011.
Judas Priest’s Upcoming 2023 Tour
Even after over 50 years together, Judas Priest continues to tour regularly and put on spectacular heavy metal stage shows. Their next worldwide tour kicks off in Europe in late May 2023 before heading to North America in June and July. The North American leg includes over 30 shows in the U.S. and Canada.
Some of the notable shows on the tour include:
- June 19 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
- June 29 – Las Vegas, NV @ Zappos Theater
- July 2 – Concord, CA @ Concord Pavilion
- July 14 – Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena
- July 17 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem
- July 27 – Boston, MA @ Xfinity Center
Judas Priest will be bringing their typical elaborate stage production on this tour including studded leather costumes, Harley Davidson motorcycles, pyrotechnics, and blinding lights. Audiences can expect to hear career-spanning sets with all their classic metal anthems as well as new songs from Judas Priest’s latest album “Firepower” released in 2018.
Queensryche Announced as Opening Act
Earlier this year, Judas Priest finally announced who their opening band would be for the North American leg of the 2023 tour. Queensryche will be the supporting act warming up the stage for Judas Priest this summer. Queensryche first formed in Bellevue, Washington in 1981 and quickly became one of the most skilled and ambitious metal bands on the scene. They are considered pioneers of the progressive metal genre.
Queensryche built a devoted fanbase throughout the 1980s with complex concept albums like “Operation: Mindcrime” and “Empire.” However, they reached their peak commercial success in the early 1990s with the singles “Silent Lucidity” and “Jet City Woman.” After some lineup changes in the late 90s and 2000s, Queensryche is now led by founder and lead vocalist Geoff Tate along with guitarists Michael Wilton and Parker Lundgren, bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Todd La Torre.
Having Queensryche open the shows enables Judas Priest to find the perfect balance of both legacy metal bands for a powerhouse double bill. Queensryche released their latest album “Digital Noise Alliance” in October 2022, so they will be primed to get audiences pumped up with new material along with favorites like “Queen of the Reich” and “Eyes of a Stranger.” There couldn’t be a better pairing for a true metal experience.
Why Queensryche is an Ideal Opening Act
There are several key reasons why Queensryche is the perfect choice as Judas Priest’s opening band for this tour:
- Both are pioneers of heavy metal from the same era – Having two legendary bands from metal’s glory days of the 80s and 90s will allow for an incredible show. Fans get to see two of their favorite groups in one night.
- Shared influences and sounds – While both bands have their own distinct styles, there are enough similarities in their guitar-driven, operatic metal for the two to complement each other well.
- Strong latest album to support – With Queensryche having put out new music in 2022, they will have fresh songs ready to debut live along with their classics.
- High energy shows – Queensryche always puts on an energetic live show, making them an excellent act to warm up the crowd for the explosively-powerful headliner Judas Priest.
- Equal draw for longtime fans – Both bands have devoted multi-generational fanbases. Longtime listeners will relish the nostalgia of seeing two favorites.
When two holders of the metal torch like Judas Priest and Queensryche come together for a tour, it creates a must-see concert experience. The 2023 shows will allow each band to play deep cuts that complement each other’s styles. From speed metal shreddery to operatic vocals, the night will be filled with metal across decades.
Set List Expectations for Queensryche
While Queensryche will likely adjust their set list night to night during the tour, fans can count on hearing many of these songs:
- “Queen of the Reich”
- “Take Hold of the Flame”
- “Warning”
- “Eyes of a Stranger”
- “Revolution Calling”
- “I Don’t Believe in Love”
- “Silent Lucidity”
- “Jet City Woman”
- “Empire”
- “Suite Sister Mary”
- “Breaking the Silence”
They will mix in deeper cuts from albums like “Rage for Order,” “Promised Land,” and “Hear in the Now Frontier.” The band will also feature several songs from “Digital Noise Alliance” to showcase their continued musical growth. Fans can look forward to new Sonics-inspired punk rocker “Bent” and the proggy first single “Forest.”
However, the biggest cheers will come from those iconic radio staples like “Silent Lucidity” and “Jet City Woman” which will sound as fresh as ever. After the lush vocal harmonies and intricate guitar melodies of Queensryche, the audience will be ready for Judas Priest to take over with their signature brand of power metal.
Conclusion
Judas Priest’s upcoming 2023 tour with Queensryche as their opening act is a heavy metal fan’s dream come true. The combination of these two pioneering bands will make for an unforgettable night of classic metal. Queensryche has the prog chops to complement Judas Priest’s hard rocking sound. Their setlist will touch on all eras of the band and demonstrate why they’ve had such an enduring legacy. After nearly 50 years, Judas Priest can still fill arenas and knows how to craft an epic show. Adding fellow legends Queensryche as openers makes this a tour that is not to be missed for any metalhead. This double bill proves that despite their age, these two bands still proudly wave the flag for the glory days of heavy metal.
