Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Loaded 7th October
As mentioned earlier this week Duff McKagan's Loaded will be playing the Spring and Airbrake on 7th October. Tickets, priced £20, are on sale now from the usual outlets.
Be all at Anthrax...NOT!
The situation at the good ship Anthrax has gotten somewhat confusing. After several promo appearances in the UK with singer Dan Nelson confirmation has come that he has left the band, John Bush is standing in for Sonisphere for one time only and they have a new album with Dan Nelson on vocal duties which no-one seems to know whether it will see the light of day or not.
No Belfast date then on the horizon - if ever again
No Belfast date then on the horizon - if ever again
Monday, July 20, 2009
Been away a while...time to get Loaded now!
Been away from posting for a while - kitchen fires etc intervening! But normal service will return now...and first up is the news that ex-Gunner Duff McKagan is coming back to Belfast with his straight edge punk/metal cross-over outfit Loaded. Date will be in October, official news, ticket prices etc coming on Monday afternoon.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Glyder touchdown in Belfast
Southern classic rockers Glyder play The Limelight on 13th September. More details to follow.
Stand up for Stand-Up Guy's busy summer schedule
The busy Stand-Up Guy are embarking on a series of UK and Irish dates to wrap the summer up. It touches down in Belfast on 3rd September when they support Finnish act Farewell at The Empire. More dates no doubt to be added, full details here.
Busted boy back to rock Belfast
Who knows if Charlie Simpson will ever live down his reign in teen band Busted, but damn he's working hard with Fightstar to prove that he has the stamina to earn a reputation as a hardcore hero.
Fightstar are appearing at the Spring & Airbrake on 6th November, tickets, priced £13 are on sale now from usual outlets.
Fightstar are appearing at the Spring & Airbrake on 6th November, tickets, priced £13 are on sale now from usual outlets.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Hometown heroes…don’t believe the hype…they’re better than that
THE Answer are on the crest of a wave. But there is no sudden crash waiting for the hometown heroes any time soon.
The usual form is that as soon as any band reaches a certain level the media decides to knock them down a peg or two.
Don’t believe the clichéd crap, because The Answer have ascended that; they have become the true hometown heroes – humble super stars with an awe inspiring live presence to match the peerless classic rock excellence of their recorded output.
On Monday night at the Mandella Hall it was a hot and sweaty lesson par excellence for budding protégés – there are many that might claim the throne, but few can aspire to achieve the presence and sheer joie de vivre that County Down’s finest can achieve.
Kicking off with the power packed album openers off Everyday Demons, Demon Eyes was blistering and Too Far Gone was a rallying cry for the disaffected, disenfranchised majority.
The true measure of any act taking to the stage in Belfast is their ability to merge the new with the old; the tried and tested with the new vibe.
Old favourites can raise the hands, raise the voices and raise the tempo. But can they stand beside the likes of Come Follow Me, Under the Sky, and Preaching in front of an audience that can react with indifference?
From the dark tones of Why’d You Change Your Mind, through to the surge of positivism echoed with Cry Out doubters be damned! The Answer proved they are now ‘all growed up’.
From the tiered stadia supporting AC/DC to the intimate Mandella Hall The Answer command any stage, any time.
It is too easy to say a band performed with aplomb. It is too easy to heap plaudits upon any band. But when the band is The Answer it is more difficult to find sufficient praise.
One magazine described Cormac as an ‘affable scarecrow’ off stage. On stage he exudes presence. Paul’s lead playing has emerged ever more powerful and lyrical in recent months, while Mickey and James lay down a rhythm tighter than ever before, despite James recent injury.
But what is more they now feel their way through the set. Preachin’ may get the crowd singing along, but newer tracks like On and On and Tonight sit easily in the set.
And it is a band that can have the anthem for ‘Norn Iron’ Dead of the Night dedicated to the first newspaper to cover then (the Newry Democrat) on the day that the newspaper closed its doors. In other words The Answer may have played to hundreds of thousands of people on the AC/DC tour; they may have appeared on then David Letterman Show: but they never forget where they laid down their rock roots and earned the stripes needed for success.
It is with that confidence that The Answer can throw in the Ike and Tina Turner song Nutbush City Limits and have Answer balloons bounced across the venue
The Answer’s take on classic rockin’ can be easily dismissed by the sneering critics who forget the sheer unadulterated excitement of a proper rock ‘n’ roll gig. They dismiss The Answer at their peril.
Co Down’s finest…The Answer.
Now, if you have any questions we can offer The Answer…harder than quadrilateral equations…more down-to-earth than an earthworm…cooler than ice chips in a heatwave…The Answer are Northern Ireland’s finest.
PS: The Answer are so cool that, despite their hectic schedule, they took almost an hour to back the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People’s ‘Here We Are…Nowhere’ campaign at the Oh Yeah Music Centre. www.niccy.org/herewearenowhere. Cool, hard and caring...that'll be The Answer!
The usual form is that as soon as any band reaches a certain level the media decides to knock them down a peg or two.
Don’t believe the clichéd crap, because The Answer have ascended that; they have become the true hometown heroes – humble super stars with an awe inspiring live presence to match the peerless classic rock excellence of their recorded output.
On Monday night at the Mandella Hall it was a hot and sweaty lesson par excellence for budding protégés – there are many that might claim the throne, but few can aspire to achieve the presence and sheer joie de vivre that County Down’s finest can achieve.
Kicking off with the power packed album openers off Everyday Demons, Demon Eyes was blistering and Too Far Gone was a rallying cry for the disaffected, disenfranchised majority.
The true measure of any act taking to the stage in Belfast is their ability to merge the new with the old; the tried and tested with the new vibe.
Old favourites can raise the hands, raise the voices and raise the tempo. But can they stand beside the likes of Come Follow Me, Under the Sky, and Preaching in front of an audience that can react with indifference?
From the dark tones of Why’d You Change Your Mind, through to the surge of positivism echoed with Cry Out doubters be damned! The Answer proved they are now ‘all growed up’.
From the tiered stadia supporting AC/DC to the intimate Mandella Hall The Answer command any stage, any time.
It is too easy to say a band performed with aplomb. It is too easy to heap plaudits upon any band. But when the band is The Answer it is more difficult to find sufficient praise.
One magazine described Cormac as an ‘affable scarecrow’ off stage. On stage he exudes presence. Paul’s lead playing has emerged ever more powerful and lyrical in recent months, while Mickey and James lay down a rhythm tighter than ever before, despite James recent injury.
But what is more they now feel their way through the set. Preachin’ may get the crowd singing along, but newer tracks like On and On and Tonight sit easily in the set.
And it is a band that can have the anthem for ‘Norn Iron’ Dead of the Night dedicated to the first newspaper to cover then (the Newry Democrat) on the day that the newspaper closed its doors. In other words The Answer may have played to hundreds of thousands of people on the AC/DC tour; they may have appeared on then David Letterman Show: but they never forget where they laid down their rock roots and earned the stripes needed for success.
It is with that confidence that The Answer can throw in the Ike and Tina Turner song Nutbush City Limits and have Answer balloons bounced across the venue
The Answer’s take on classic rockin’ can be easily dismissed by the sneering critics who forget the sheer unadulterated excitement of a proper rock ‘n’ roll gig. They dismiss The Answer at their peril.
Co Down’s finest…The Answer.
Now, if you have any questions we can offer The Answer…harder than quadrilateral equations…more down-to-earth than an earthworm…cooler than ice chips in a heatwave…The Answer are Northern Ireland’s finest.
PS: The Answer are so cool that, despite their hectic schedule, they took almost an hour to back the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People’s ‘Here We Are…Nowhere’ campaign at the Oh Yeah Music Centre. www.niccy.org/herewearenowhere. Cool, hard and caring...that'll be The Answer!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Free gig for teenagers
Wanna go to a free gig? Wanna meet The Answer? Wanna hear local acts like Shotgun, Dead Vito, and Escape Fails?
If you are between 14 and 18 and doing nothing between 4:30 and 7:30pm on Monday 29th June (i.e. today!) and your answer is YES to the above questions, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People is hosting a free gig to launch her campaign on play, leisure and things to do for young people at Belfast's Oh Yeah Music Centre.
Email john@niccy.org as soon as possible today to snag your free spot on the guestlist.
Special thanks to The Answer for their personal appearance!
If you are between 14 and 18 and doing nothing between 4:30 and 7:30pm on Monday 29th June (i.e. today!) and your answer is YES to the above questions, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People is hosting a free gig to launch her campaign on play, leisure and things to do for young people at Belfast's Oh Yeah Music Centre.
Email john@niccy.org as soon as possible today to snag your free spot on the guestlist.
Special thanks to The Answer for their personal appearance!
Rock numbers
Sad fact...the post before this one was post number 666...which means this post is 667...neighbour of the beast :)
Friday, June 26, 2009
Guitar Hero faces JP's wrath
Guitar Hero is a gaming phenomenon...and it has seen hard rock and metal acts given more exposure, as well as earning a few extra shillings for the acts. But now Jimmy Page (along with Jack White) have slagged it off (see story here).
They make some good points, but ultimately what harm is there in it...as they point out it could spoil some learning in terms of finger shapes and rhythms, but the benefits in terms of digit dexterity could outweigh that...your views?
They make some good points, but ultimately what harm is there in it...as they point out it could spoil some learning in terms of finger shapes and rhythms, but the benefits in terms of digit dexterity could outweigh that...your views?
Free gig for 14-18 year olds
THE Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People is holding a free gig for 14-18 year olds at the Oh Yeah Music Centre on Monday. Admittance is strictly by invitation only.
Escape Fails are headlining, with Dead Vito and Shotgun also playing. There will also be a personal appearance by The Answer for pix etc.
If you want to snag one of the free tickets you MUST be between 14 and 18 (seriously you have to be!) and email john@niccy.org as soon as possible. Doors at 4:30pm, gig ends at 7:30pm.
Escape Fails are headlining, with Dead Vito and Shotgun also playing. There will also be a personal appearance by The Answer for pix etc.
If you want to snag one of the free tickets you MUST be between 14 and 18 (seriously you have to be!) and email john@niccy.org as soon as possible. Doors at 4:30pm, gig ends at 7:30pm.
Spit it out!
Another gig date for your diary: Spitknot (that's a Slipknot tribute band for the slow of reading) take to the stage at the Spring & Airbrake on August 8th with the rather excellent Sinocence and Residal Effect in support.
Tickets for this Distortion Project promotion are on sale now.
Tickets for this Distortion Project promotion are on sale now.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Metal in the mainstream...
What the heck is it with the press these days...metal is in the mainstream with Maiden picking up Brit awards, Slipknot, Metallica and DC topping the charts across the world at the end of '08, and now Classic Rock devoting almost an entire magazine to metal.
CR is now one of the best selling music mags in the UK; it has even a prog rock spin off edition. This month's edition features a natty cover listing dozens of metal bands logos, and has features a plenty.
It touches on the genres and some of the history, and claims (not unfairly) that the grunge movement of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden et al was metal in all but name.
While the magazine makes many fair editorial comments it does go overboard on it New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal claim. This phrase, coined by Metal Hammer, gives hope to a lot of bands that are hopelessly stuck in a timewarp. While some acts have the ability to tap into previous bands work and inject a new twist to the magical formula the danger is that too many simply don the spandex, ripped jeans and retread the riffs.
Metal is at once comical and deadly serious, and its best exponents recognise this; absorbing the past and giving it new life (the transition between 70s metal, NWOBHM, thrash, prog metal, and the 21st Century vibe is acknowledged) is a trademark of the music form dubbed metal. However, such is the supposed stigma attached to 'heavy metal' that some acts seem determined to distance themselves - even the great Lemmy, before he embraced it once decried the dungeons and dragons tales; and the Ulster man who wrote the defining Holy Diver riff (Vivian Campbell) has dissed metal.
But, when it comes down to it, metal (and all its sub genres, sub-sub genres and disputes over where a band 'fits') has been around, will stay around and will always appeal to those who like loud, heavy rock music played with attitude. Belfast has seen UFO, Tesla, Down, Static X amongst recent acts gracing stages; not to mention the host of local talent.
When the music press has forgotten today's metal fixation there will still be fans and bands who, to paraphrase Gerry Adams "have never gone away ya know". Or in the words of the excellent comedy metal troupe, Steel Panther...DEATH TO ALL BUT METAL.
Stupid and intelligent, obnoxious and thoughtful, progressive and dumb, brash and introverted -metal is a beautiful contradiction that some will never get, but for the rest of us...raise the horns, raise a glass and gimme a hell yeah!
[This rant now ceases...I'm away for a cool Carlsberg and refreshing Jager to ease frayed thoughts and listen to some 'eavy fuggin metal]
CR is now one of the best selling music mags in the UK; it has even a prog rock spin off edition. This month's edition features a natty cover listing dozens of metal bands logos, and has features a plenty.
It touches on the genres and some of the history, and claims (not unfairly) that the grunge movement of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden et al was metal in all but name.
While the magazine makes many fair editorial comments it does go overboard on it New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal claim. This phrase, coined by Metal Hammer, gives hope to a lot of bands that are hopelessly stuck in a timewarp. While some acts have the ability to tap into previous bands work and inject a new twist to the magical formula the danger is that too many simply don the spandex, ripped jeans and retread the riffs.
Metal is at once comical and deadly serious, and its best exponents recognise this; absorbing the past and giving it new life (the transition between 70s metal, NWOBHM, thrash, prog metal, and the 21st Century vibe is acknowledged) is a trademark of the music form dubbed metal. However, such is the supposed stigma attached to 'heavy metal' that some acts seem determined to distance themselves - even the great Lemmy, before he embraced it once decried the dungeons and dragons tales; and the Ulster man who wrote the defining Holy Diver riff (Vivian Campbell) has dissed metal.
But, when it comes down to it, metal (and all its sub genres, sub-sub genres and disputes over where a band 'fits') has been around, will stay around and will always appeal to those who like loud, heavy rock music played with attitude. Belfast has seen UFO, Tesla, Down, Static X amongst recent acts gracing stages; not to mention the host of local talent.
When the music press has forgotten today's metal fixation there will still be fans and bands who, to paraphrase Gerry Adams "have never gone away ya know". Or in the words of the excellent comedy metal troupe, Steel Panther...DEATH TO ALL BUT METAL.
Stupid and intelligent, obnoxious and thoughtful, progressive and dumb, brash and introverted -metal is a beautiful contradiction that some will never get, but for the rest of us...raise the horns, raise a glass and gimme a hell yeah!
[This rant now ceases...I'm away for a cool Carlsberg and refreshing Jager to ease frayed thoughts and listen to some 'eavy fuggin metal]
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
No failure on the 10th
Escape Fails - long local favourites here for their hardcore metal - are headlining an All Ages gig on July 10th at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.
Support comes in the shape of Valkaine, Circadian and Silver Cord. Doors at 3pm and entry is a measly three quid.
The gig is part of the TransBelfast series of summer events. More details here.
Support comes in the shape of Valkaine, Circadian and Silver Cord. Doors at 3pm and entry is a measly three quid.
The gig is part of the TransBelfast series of summer events. More details here.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
After the summer break comes...METAL
ROCKD's line-up after the...ahem...'summer break' will see Interrogate backed by Skypilot, Sinocence and Countervela. Usual 5pm doors music til 9pm.
If it ain't broke...
By guest reviewer Phil Bailie
THE summer showcase run of Sounds of Northern Ireland was back in Belfast at The Empire last week when Jackkniife, Take the Fifth, Million Dollar Reload and Pay*ola hit the revered venue in Botanic Avenue.
After the support slots warmed the crowd up Million Dollar Reload’s energetic front man, Phil Conalane delivered another charismatic performance.
The band pumped up the crowd playing songs off their debut album 'Anthems of a Degeneration', released in October 2008, to include the fantastic 'Livin' in the City'. M$R delivered a raunchy rock performance with guitar players B.A.M. and Andy Mack showing plenty of stage presence with a host of great guitar solos, whetting the crowds appetite for the final part of the night. By the end of their set, it had become clear that this band deserved to be sharing bills with the likes of BLS, Tyketto and Alice Cooper.
Saving the best for last, Pay*ola, who had recently headlined the Anlassen Festival near Frankfurt in front of no less than 4000 rock fans, stepped onto the stage and opened with the sublime 'The Colour Red'. This direct, driving opening got a great reaction from the crowd as singer Phil McCarroll began to introduce hits off the 'Try Everything Twice' album such as 'I'd rather be Dreaming' and the extremely catchy 'Love It'.
Vocally, Pay*ola were very impressive, as always, and Nick Joseph on lead guitar gave a phenomenal show of his talents, showing plenty of personality as the guys covered the AC/DC classic: 'Riff Raff'.
New songs off the upcoming album (to be released later this year), notably a track called 'Blindside', were also showcased but the band played out to 'Everybody Talks' and, of course, their very own rendition of DC's 'Rock 'n' Roll Damnation'.
There is a school of thought on Pay*ola that say it's a shame the band produce the same thing year in year out, without really pushing to the next level. On the other hand, believe in the phrase “If it ain't broke, don't fix it”...and it certainly isn't broke
THE summer showcase run of Sounds of Northern Ireland was back in Belfast at The Empire last week when Jackkniife, Take the Fifth, Million Dollar Reload and Pay*ola hit the revered venue in Botanic Avenue.
After the support slots warmed the crowd up Million Dollar Reload’s energetic front man, Phil Conalane delivered another charismatic performance.
The band pumped up the crowd playing songs off their debut album 'Anthems of a Degeneration', released in October 2008, to include the fantastic 'Livin' in the City'. M$R delivered a raunchy rock performance with guitar players B.A.M. and Andy Mack showing plenty of stage presence with a host of great guitar solos, whetting the crowds appetite for the final part of the night. By the end of their set, it had become clear that this band deserved to be sharing bills with the likes of BLS, Tyketto and Alice Cooper.
Saving the best for last, Pay*ola, who had recently headlined the Anlassen Festival near Frankfurt in front of no less than 4000 rock fans, stepped onto the stage and opened with the sublime 'The Colour Red'. This direct, driving opening got a great reaction from the crowd as singer Phil McCarroll began to introduce hits off the 'Try Everything Twice' album such as 'I'd rather be Dreaming' and the extremely catchy 'Love It'.
Vocally, Pay*ola were very impressive, as always, and Nick Joseph on lead guitar gave a phenomenal show of his talents, showing plenty of personality as the guys covered the AC/DC classic: 'Riff Raff'.
New songs off the upcoming album (to be released later this year), notably a track called 'Blindside', were also showcased but the band played out to 'Everybody Talks' and, of course, their very own rendition of DC's 'Rock 'n' Roll Damnation'.
There is a school of thought on Pay*ola that say it's a shame the band produce the same thing year in year out, without really pushing to the next level. On the other hand, believe in the phrase “If it ain't broke, don't fix it”...and it certainly isn't broke
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Shooting from the hip...
In the 80s, when all was diverse in the hard rock and metal world a challenger to the chart throne nearly emerged as title contenders, before fading - unjustly - away. They were GUN.
And they are back, firing on all cylinders - and set for a Limelight date on November 8th. Tix are fifteen notes and available from all usual outlets.
[For those of you who can't quite - or are too young - to remember GUN they ripped up a new version of Cameo's Word UP (later also covered poorly by Korn) and were handpicked support for the Rolling Stones for their 1993 Urban Jungle tour]
And they are back, firing on all cylinders - and set for a Limelight date on November 8th. Tix are fifteen notes and available from all usual outlets.
[For those of you who can't quite - or are too young - to remember GUN they ripped up a new version of Cameo's Word UP (later also covered poorly by Korn) and were handpicked support for the Rolling Stones for their 1993 Urban Jungle tour]
Saturday's RockD offering
This week's offering from RockD at The Limelight on Saturday...
Hungers Mother. http://www.myspace.com/hungersmother
Double Wide. http://www.myspace.com/doublewiderocks
Bleeding Saints. www.myspace.com/bleedingsaints
Doors at 5pm, first band at 6pm.
Door tax 3.50. Music til 9!
www.thedistortionproject.com
www.myspace.com/distortionproject
Hungers Mother. http://www.myspace.com/hungersmother
Double Wide. http://www.myspace.com/doublewiderocks
Bleeding Saints. www.myspace.com/bleedingsaints
Doors at 5pm, first band at 6pm.
Door tax 3.50. Music til 9!
www.thedistortionproject.com
www.myspace.com/distortionproject
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The biffyness is back!
Okay, they're not exactly metal (and Baal hated them live!) but having seen Biffy Clyro on a number of occassions they have grown into a weird hybrid of prog rock pop indie loud melodic weirdness - quirky but good.
The Biffy are heading back to Belfast for an October 28th gig at St George's Market.
It could be said (and their blurb does!) that the Scottish trio are one of "the most influential rock bands in the UK right now". They release their new album in October with Garth Richardson (RATM, Red Hot Chili Peppers) on production and mixing from Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Faith No More).
The first single from the album, ‘That Golden Rule’, a "distinctively heavy and angular rock race of a song" will be released on 20 August, 2009.
Previously Biffy have played to sold-out shows in The Limelight, Spring & Airbrake & The Mandela Hall...and a Velvet Revolver's support slot that was ill-advised and Baal hated!
Tickets 18.50 on sale on Friday from all usual outlets.
The Biffy are heading back to Belfast for an October 28th gig at St George's Market.
It could be said (and their blurb does!) that the Scottish trio are one of "the most influential rock bands in the UK right now". They release their new album in October with Garth Richardson (RATM, Red Hot Chili Peppers) on production and mixing from Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Faith No More).
The first single from the album, ‘That Golden Rule’, a "distinctively heavy and angular rock race of a song" will be released on 20 August, 2009.
Previously Biffy have played to sold-out shows in The Limelight, Spring & Airbrake & The Mandela Hall...and a Velvet Revolver's support slot that was ill-advised and Baal hated!
Tickets 18.50 on sale on Friday from all usual outlets.
Classic Rock Back in Fashion?
By Guest Reviewer Phil Bailie
The best selling music magazines aren’t Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Terrorizer or even the awful NME. They are Q and Classic Rock. Q only notices rock and metal when they deign to give it coverage, often with that sneering malice only the close-minded can manage. Classic Rock on the other hand celebrates rock and metal throughout the past four decades. Unsurprisingly it is experiencing the fastest growth in sales.
In Dublin on Friday night there was no doubt that classic rock is not only back in fashion, it is the musical heartbeat for young and old alike
Tesla kicked off with a spectacular set led by guitarists Frank Hannon and Dave Rude, and notably, a rockin' show of vocals form singer Jeff Keith. Fresh from recording their new album 'Forever More', they more than did it justice, playing the likes of 'I Wanna Live'. Of course they played the classic 'Signs' but it was 'Love Song' that was, to coin a phrase, the dog's bollocks! An awesome ballad played to perfection.
After tearing up the Spring & Airbrake the night before Tesla suitably warmed up the Irish crowd.
AOR legends Journey gave the best performance of the night. It’s hard to believe that Neal Schon spotted vocalist Arnel Pineda on Youtube, singing covers of Journey songs. For a 41-year-old this guy showed more charisma and stamina than many other younger singers.
The set began with the familiar sound of the keyboards from 'Separate Ways' and the band were met with a deafening roar from the crowd. This new look Journey, showcasing the year – old album 'Revelation', were electrifying from the start.
The most memorable moment of the entire night came when the first few notes were sounded from the grand piano in 'Don't Stop Believing' as the roof was blown off the O2 Arena, only to be blown off again when the guys topped off an amazing set with 'Any Way You Want It'.
Journey on their own would have been worth the full asking price of a single ticket...simply awesome!
With Whitesnake…well the best of Coverdale’s days seem to be well behind him on the strength of this performance. It's a sad day when a great vocalist such as Coverdale has to use a reverb/echo technique on his mic. Has age perhaps caught up with the guy? Although he coped well with the low notes in songs such as 'Is This Love', the old crooner struggled to hit the pitch on songs like 'Here I go Again'.
Their situation was not helped when Doug Aldrich experienced sound problems during the opening song 'Best Years', perhaps a fore-warning of some of what was to come.
Musically, however, the band were sound enough with Doug Aldrich as the tent pole of the group, holding the show together. The crowd in Dublin were treated to a classic guitar battle between both Doug and Reb Beach.
As it was the 25th Anniversary of the 'Slide It In' album, the O2 was also treated to 'Guilty of Love', while classics such as 'Love Ain't No Stranger' and 'Still of the Night' were executed brilliantly! Other tracks such as the limp 'Can You Hear the Wind Blow' and the acoustic rendition of 'The Deeper the Love' should have been expunged from the setlist to allow room for more well rounded tracks.
Def Leppard were a completely different band from the one that played last June at the in Belfast and in the best possible way. It was the first night of the tour and they sounded absolutely fantastic. Opening with 'Rocket' they then tore into a fiery cover of Sweet's 'Action'. It quickly became clear why it was Def Leppard headlining and not Whitesnake. While Whitesnake's acoustic set was less than impressive, Lepps produced a winner with 'Two Steps Behind' and an acoustic version of 'Bringing on the Heartbreak' which exploded into a massive electric solo from Phil Collen.
The setlist, in general, was much better than the one which Whitesnake offered, producing all the classics such as 'Animal', 'Photograph' and 'Hysteria' whilst integrating 'C'mon C'mon' and the excellent 'Nine Lives'. And when it came down to vocals, Joe Elliot was streets ahead of Mr.Coverdale.
The obligatory encore included 'When Love and Hate Collide', which was apt considering Ireland was the country where that song managed to hit Number One! Once the final note had been strummed and the ballad had come to an end, Joe Elliot had only one question for the crowd as he introduced 'Let's Get Rocked'. The balconies were bouncing as the addictive drum and bass played on.
Def Leppard were truly phenomenal and Journey were the show stoppers on the night. Whitesnake, in comparison, were let down by the vocals in a set rescued only by Doug Aldrich.
The best selling music magazines aren’t Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Terrorizer or even the awful NME. They are Q and Classic Rock. Q only notices rock and metal when they deign to give it coverage, often with that sneering malice only the close-minded can manage. Classic Rock on the other hand celebrates rock and metal throughout the past four decades. Unsurprisingly it is experiencing the fastest growth in sales.
In Dublin on Friday night there was no doubt that classic rock is not only back in fashion, it is the musical heartbeat for young and old alike
Tesla kicked off with a spectacular set led by guitarists Frank Hannon and Dave Rude, and notably, a rockin' show of vocals form singer Jeff Keith. Fresh from recording their new album 'Forever More', they more than did it justice, playing the likes of 'I Wanna Live'. Of course they played the classic 'Signs' but it was 'Love Song' that was, to coin a phrase, the dog's bollocks! An awesome ballad played to perfection.
After tearing up the Spring & Airbrake the night before Tesla suitably warmed up the Irish crowd.
AOR legends Journey gave the best performance of the night. It’s hard to believe that Neal Schon spotted vocalist Arnel Pineda on Youtube, singing covers of Journey songs. For a 41-year-old this guy showed more charisma and stamina than many other younger singers.
The set began with the familiar sound of the keyboards from 'Separate Ways' and the band were met with a deafening roar from the crowd. This new look Journey, showcasing the year – old album 'Revelation', were electrifying from the start.
The most memorable moment of the entire night came when the first few notes were sounded from the grand piano in 'Don't Stop Believing' as the roof was blown off the O2 Arena, only to be blown off again when the guys topped off an amazing set with 'Any Way You Want It'.
Journey on their own would have been worth the full asking price of a single ticket...simply awesome!
With Whitesnake…well the best of Coverdale’s days seem to be well behind him on the strength of this performance. It's a sad day when a great vocalist such as Coverdale has to use a reverb/echo technique on his mic. Has age perhaps caught up with the guy? Although he coped well with the low notes in songs such as 'Is This Love', the old crooner struggled to hit the pitch on songs like 'Here I go Again'.
Their situation was not helped when Doug Aldrich experienced sound problems during the opening song 'Best Years', perhaps a fore-warning of some of what was to come.
Musically, however, the band were sound enough with Doug Aldrich as the tent pole of the group, holding the show together. The crowd in Dublin were treated to a classic guitar battle between both Doug and Reb Beach.
As it was the 25th Anniversary of the 'Slide It In' album, the O2 was also treated to 'Guilty of Love', while classics such as 'Love Ain't No Stranger' and 'Still of the Night' were executed brilliantly! Other tracks such as the limp 'Can You Hear the Wind Blow' and the acoustic rendition of 'The Deeper the Love' should have been expunged from the setlist to allow room for more well rounded tracks.
Def Leppard were a completely different band from the one that played last June at the in Belfast and in the best possible way. It was the first night of the tour and they sounded absolutely fantastic. Opening with 'Rocket' they then tore into a fiery cover of Sweet's 'Action'. It quickly became clear why it was Def Leppard headlining and not Whitesnake. While Whitesnake's acoustic set was less than impressive, Lepps produced a winner with 'Two Steps Behind' and an acoustic version of 'Bringing on the Heartbreak' which exploded into a massive electric solo from Phil Collen.
The setlist, in general, was much better than the one which Whitesnake offered, producing all the classics such as 'Animal', 'Photograph' and 'Hysteria' whilst integrating 'C'mon C'mon' and the excellent 'Nine Lives'. And when it came down to vocals, Joe Elliot was streets ahead of Mr.Coverdale.
The obligatory encore included 'When Love and Hate Collide', which was apt considering Ireland was the country where that song managed to hit Number One! Once the final note had been strummed and the ballad had come to an end, Joe Elliot had only one question for the crowd as he introduced 'Let's Get Rocked'. The balconies were bouncing as the addictive drum and bass played on.
Def Leppard were truly phenomenal and Journey were the show stoppers on the night. Whitesnake, in comparison, were let down by the vocals in a set rescued only by Doug Aldrich.
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