When you hear the name Van Halen, you immediately think of one of rock’s legendary bands. Now the next generation is carrying that legacy forward—on his own terms. Wolfgang Van Halen, son of the late Eddie Van Halen, has exploded onto the music scene with a sound and style that are unmistakably his. His band, Mammoth, takes its name from one his father once considered using, and Wolfgang has proudly brought that idea to life.
On March 7th, Mammoth rolled into the Hard Rock in Ottawa, delivering a powerhouse performance. The sound was crisp, the mix was tight, and the visuals were stunning—so much so that Wolfgang made a point of telling the crowd that every graphic was created by a real artist, not AI.
Rock runs in his veins, and it shows. His stage presence is confident and natural, and his guitar work reflects the influence of one of the greatest players of all time. The set leaned heavily into the new album, The End, while also pulling favourites from his debut. A clever staging choice—three microphones placed left, right, and centre—allowed Wolfgang to move across the stage so fans could both hear and see him from every angle.
Mammoth’s massive sound comes from its five members:
- Guitars: Wolfgang Van Halen, Frank Sidoris, Jon Jourdan
- Bass: Ronnie Ficarro
- Drums: Garrett Whitlock
- Keyboards: Wolfgang Van Halen
The venue was packed—seated and standing—with fans ready for a true rock show. And Wolfgang reminded everyone: this is a Mammoth show, not a Van Halen tribute.
Highlights included “Resolve” and “Epiphany” from the first album, but the emotional peak came with “Distance,” Wolfgang’s tribute to his father. The backdrop played home videos of Eddie and a young Wolfgang, creating a heartfelt moment that resonated deeply with the crowd.
Opening the night were 10 Years and the U.K. band James and the Cold Gun, both delivering strong sets that set the tone for what was to come.
With great lighting, superb sound, and striking visuals, Mammoth delivered a night Ottawa rock fans won’t soon forget.
Setlist
- One of a Kind
- Another Celebration
- The Spell
- Like a Pastime
- Optimist
- Stone
- Happy
- Mammoth
- Resolve
- Distance
- Something New
- Epiphany
- Take a Bow
- I Really Wanna
- Don’t Back Down
- The End
