Judas Priest’s spring 2024 US tour is under way. After kicking off Thursday night (April 18th) in Wallingford, Connecticut, the outing hit Newark, New Jersey, on Friday (April 19th).
The Metal Gods are touring in support of their new album, Invincible Shield, which arrived last month. The stateside trek runs through a May 22nd show in Syracuse, New York.
Singer Rob Halford and company delivered an 18-song set at the Prudential Center in Newark, kicking things off with the Invincible Shield single “Panic Attack.” From there, the UK legends ripped through three classics in a row: “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” “Rapid Fire,” and “Breaking the Law.”
The main set included two more Invincible Shield songs — “Crown of Horns” and the title track — along with older favorites like “Turbo Lover,” “Victim of Changes,” “Painkiller,” and Priest’s cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Green Manalishi.” And the encore featured the 1-2-3 punch of “Electric Eye,” “Hell Bent for Leather,” and “Living After Midnight.”
At 72 years old, Halford sounded in fine form, reaching the high notes he’s been hitting for 50 years. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band played as tight as ever, with guitarist Richie Faulkner delivering blistering solos throughout the night.
Swedish power metallers Sabaton have the honor of opening for Priest on this tour, and got the crowd pumping with a 12-song set filled with their signature tunes about historical wars — including a couple of numbers from their latest album, 2022’s The War to End All Wars. Singer Joakim Brodén slipped and fell onstage at one point, but didn’t miss a beat.
See our photos, along with fan-filmed video of Judas Priest’s Newark show below, and pick up tickets to the remaining tour dates here.
Photo Gallery – Judas Priest and Sabaton rock the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey (click to expand and scroll through):
Judas Priest, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Judas Priest, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Judas Priest, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Judas Priest, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Judas Priest, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Judas Priest, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Judas Priest, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Judas Priest, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Judas Priest, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Judas Priest, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Judas Priest, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Sabaton, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Sabaton, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Sabaton, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Sabaton, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Sabaton, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Sabaton, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Sabaton fans, photo by Kevin RC Wilson
Setlist:
Panic Attack
You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
Rapid Fire
Breaking the Law
Lightning Strike
Love Bites
Devil’s Child
Saints in Hell
Crown of Horns
Sinner
Turbo Lover
Invincible Shield
Victim of Changes
The Green Manalishi (Fleetwood Mac cover)
Painkiller
Encore:
Electric Eye
Hell Bent for Leather
Living After Midnight
