UK vocalist Robert Halford (R) and Richie Faulkner of the band Judas Priest performs on stage at the Heavy Metal Rock Festival Copenhell in Copenhagen, Denmark, on June 16, 2022.
Believe it or not, old school rockers Judas Priest are still "breakin' the law" 50 years later. San Antonio metal fans (and we know there are a lot of you who listened to Joe Anthony in the '70s and '80s) will have the opportunity to see the legends live in concert at the new Tech Port Arena during the band's two-night stint this fall.
Due to San Antonio's history as "the heavy metal capital" Judas Priest will play two back-to-back shows in the Alamo City on Tuesday, November 22 and Wednesday November 23. The band's most recent album Firepower (released in 2018) has emerged as the the highest charting album of the band's career. Fellow rockers Queensrÿche will join Judas Priest on their 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour.
This year, band members Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill and Scott Travis will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band first formed in 1970 in Birmingham, England, and helped trailblaze an entire genre. Rotating through various members over the years, the band is known to have truly come to global prominence in the '80s with hits like "British Steel" and "Screaming for Vengeance." They were one of the first metal bands to be embraced by early MTV and known for their signature wardrobe of leather and studs.
Halford, Tipton, and Hill all shared their feelings about returning to the stage in a press release.
“Defending the heavy metal faith for fifty years, the Priest is back!” said Halford.
“Time to don the leather and studs and roll out the Priest Machine - celebrating our 50 Heavy Metal Years,” Tipton added.
Hill contextualized the tour through the recent collective burden of the COVID-19.
“After the horrific last few years of restrictions we’ve all had to endure, what better place to break free, than the land of the free - the USA!”
Presale tickets for both shows start Wednesday, June 22 at 10 a.m. through Thursday, June 23 at 10 p.m. Tickets starting at $34.50 officially go on sale Friday, June 24 at 10 a.m. Purchase yours at techportcenter.com.
Tech Port Arena officially debuted in May, and has since hosted headlining acts from the Smashing Pumpkins to Papa Roach.
Camille Sauers grew up in San Antonio and studied at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Send ghost story, nature and music tips to camille.sauers@mysa.com. Twitter: @camillesaccount