S.L.R. Magazine

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WASP in concert on October 31st, 2026, by Don Adkins

The perfect way to spend a Halloween? Oh yeah, seeing WASP close out their North American tour on Halloween night in SoCal at The Grove in Anaheim. I had gotten a great preview of what this show would be about weeks back during my interview with WASP founder/leader Blackie Lawless (ref link below) and this…

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The perfect way to spend a Halloween? Oh yeah, seeing WASP close out their North American tour on Halloween night in SoCal at The Grove in Anaheim.

Concert poster for WASP's '1984 to Headless' 2026 U.S. tour featuring special guests KK's Priest. Details include tour dates and location at DigAlert Grove of Anaheim on October 31.

I had gotten a great preview of what this show would be about weeks back during my interview with WASP founder/leader Blackie Lawless (ref link below) and this evening of music measured up. Basically it was a WASP greatest hits show with the best of the best music from their first five years of the group along with some cool covers of songs from Uriah Heep, The Who and Humble Pie. Opening act KK’s Priest got the crowd amp’ed up with their opening one hour set that set the stage for the WASP 80 minute set to follow. Featured was Blackie signature skeletal mic stand along with the usual WASP-metalesque stages. The energy for the 17 song set was pretty dialed-up all evening, the band is tight and Blackie looked quite content the entire show. The performance of the song “The Headless Children” was quite the message statement, it featured visuals showing the atrocities of war. Halfway through the song we see Adolph Hitler appear. In a reimagining of history we first see the defiant leader enjoying the spoils of war, then see the Fuhrer get captured, being defiant towards his captors and then put on trial where he’s found guilty. We then see him get strapped to the electric chair and receive his death sentence followed by the words “Never Again!!!”. Visually strong and a moral commentary for the world. All-in-all this was quite the great evening of music and really the ultimate heavy Halloween evening!

Gallery of images below.

WASP 2026 Setlist

Tour Setlist for this “1984 to Headless” show

  • Easy Livin’ (Uriah Heep cover)
  • Fistful of Diamonds
  • The Flame
  • Mr. Cool
  • B.A.D.
  • Thunderhead
  • Forever Free
  • The Real Me (The Who cover)
  • Mephisto Waltz
  • The Headless Children
  • I Wanna Be Somebody
  • L.O.V.E. Machine
  • Inside the Electric Circus
  • I Don’t Need No Doctor (Humble Pie cover)
  • Golgotha
  • Wild Child
  • Blind in Texas

The Band

Mike Duda – bass

Doug Blair – guitar

Aquiles Priester – drums

WASP website

https://www.waspnation.com

The August interview with Blackie Lawless

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Blackie Lawless Interview, by Don Adkins

Story & Images by Don Adkins

https://donadkinsphoto.com

A performer passionately singing into a microphone, with long black hair and dramatic stage attire featuring torn sleeves. Chains are visible as part of the stage setup, with red lighting in the background.
A performer in a black outfit with skeletal designs passionately singing into a microphone while playing a black guitar attached to a mechanical contraption on stage.
A guitarist passionately performing on stage, wearing a black shirt with slashes and a star-patterned strap, surrounded by red lighting and a band backdrop.
A musician performing on stage, wearing a black ripped shirt and fringed white boots, playing an electric guitar with a dynamic pose, surrounded by colorful concert backdrops and stage lighting.
Close-up image of a historical figure dressed in military uniform, projected on a screen with a dark and smoky background.
A brightly lit display showing the text 'NEVER AGAIN!!!' against a background of colorful stage lighting.
A musician performing on stage with a guitar, wearing a black outfit with torn sleeves and fringed pants, raising one hand in the air, set against a vibrant red background with abstract patterns.
A concert stage featuring the band logo 'W.A.S.P.' displayed prominently, with dramatic lighting and musical instruments set up for a performance.
A close-up of a singer performing on stage with a microphone, surrounded by chains and dramatic red lighting.
A male musician with long black hair and tattoos performs on stage, holding a bass guitar and microphone.
A musician with long, curly hair passionately singing into a microphone on stage, wearing a striped shirt and holding a microphone stand decorated with various charms.
A performer in a dramatic black costume sings passionately on stage, with long dark hair and makeup under colorful stage lighting.

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