Mammoth Tears Through Toronto with 10 Years and James and the Cold Gun

Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall got a full dose of modern rock power when Mammoth brought their current tour, bringing along 10 Years and James and the Cold Gun for a lineup that felt both nostalgic and refreshingly current. From start to finish, the night delivered the kind of raw live energy that reminds you why rock shows still matter.

Opening the night, James and the Cold Gun didn’t waste any time winning the room over—they simply cranked the volume and let the music do the work. Coming out strong with Split Second, their gritty, fuzz-drenched sound hit like a shot of adrenaline for a crowd that was still settling in. They played like they had something to prove, ripping through their set with swagger and a garage-rock edge that felt genuinely exciting. It wasn’t flashy or overly polished, but that’s exactly what made it work. Closing their set with Chewing Glass, the room was fully captivated by them.

When 10 Years took the stage, the mood shifted from raw energy to emotional intensity. Frontman Jesse Hasek remains one of the most distinctive vocalists in alternative rock, and hearing his voice live is still something special. Songs like “Wasteland” hit especially hard, with the crowd singing nearly every word back at the band. There’s a certain confidence that comes with a group that’s been doing this for over two decades, and 10 Years leaned into that experience. Their set was tight, dramatic, and packed with the kind of dynamic highs and lows that make their music so effective live.

By the time Mammoth hit the stage, the room was electric. Much of the attention naturally falls on frontman Wolfgang Van Halen, and seeing him live makes it clear he’s more than capable of carrying the weight of that famous last name. The band sounds massive live—huge guitars, thunderous drums, and choruses built for arenas. But there’s also a sense of authenticity that keeps it from feeling overly calculated.

Hitting the stage with One of a Kind, the room exploded. Wolfgang moved comfortably between shredding guitar parts and commanding the mic, proving that Mammoth isn’t just a studio project—it’s a fully realized live band.

By the end of the night, the crowd was sweaty, loud, and clearly not ready for it to be over—always the best sign of a successful rock show.

For Mammoth, the Toronto stop felt less like a tour date and more like a statement: Wolfgang Van Halen isn’t just carrying a legacy—he’s building his own.