Last Thursday, August 15, Pantera – consisting of original members vocalist Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown, along with guitarist Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Sabbath) and drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax) – headlined an intimate club show at First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN.
Comedian Craig Gass, who performed a stand-up routine before Pantera’s performance, addressed the audience and said that the band’s performance would be recorded for an upcoming live album.
“Announcement number one. The band you’re seeing tonight is not called Cowboys From Hell. You’re going to see an exclusive show by the band Pantera. The rumors spread fast and you bought up all the tickets. And you may have heard that rumor. And it’s also true, we’re recording our first ever live album here at First Avenue. So there are a few things you need to know about it. First of all, you’re all going to be featured on a Pantera live album for all eternity. That’s the good news. The bad news is you’re not getting paid for it. Welcome to the music business.”
Rex Brown has since shared photos from the First Avenue show, explaining: “Photos from @firstavenue! What an amazing night! And no, we did not record a live album that night. That was a joke from @craiggasscomedy!”
Pantera’s First Avenue setlist (according to Setlist.fm):
“A new level”
“Speak out for war”
“Strength beyond all strength”
“Become”
“I’m exhausted”
“Farewell letter part II”
“This love”
“Damn hostile”
“Go”
“Dominance / Hollow”
“Cowboys from Hell”
Encore:
“Yesterday means shit”
Pantera have announced a European tour for early 2025. Tickets are on sale now.
Dates:
January
21 – Helsinki, Finland – Ice Rink
23 – Stockholm, Sweden – Hovet
24 – Oslo, Norway – Spectrum
26 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
28 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – AFAS Live
31 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Arena Stožice
February
1 – Ostrava, Czech Republic – Ostravar Aréna
3 – Budapest, Hungary – Budapest Arena
4 – Krakow, Poland – Tauron Arena
6 – Hamburg, Germany – Sports Hall
7 – Berlin, Germany – Max-Schmeling-Halle
9 – Düsseldorf, Germany – Mitsubishi Electric Hall
10 – Brussels, Belgium – Forest National
12 – Bologna, Italy – Unipol Arena
13 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion
15 – Paris, France – Adidas Arena
The band had previously announced a series of dates in the UK and Ireland in February 2025.
Dates:
February
18 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
19 – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
21 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
23 – Birmingham, United Kingdom – Resorts World Arena
25 – London, United Kingdom – OVO Arena Wembley
Pantera dates 2024:
August
23 – Commonwealth Stadium – Edmonton, AB (with Metallica)
30 – Lumen Field – Seattle, WA (with Metallica)
October
10 – Aftershock Festival – Sacramento, California
