Back from tonight's UFO gig and still buzzing after a superb performance by one of THE definitive heavy rock bands.
Arrived at 8pm to find the support band Voodo Six cranking up. They were a bit 'metaltastic' (cha0tic would probably describe them as a "noisy waste of electricity"), but I thought they were worth a listen, as they were pretty good at what they were doing.
The gig was being played in the smaller of the 2 venues in the building, which gave it a great atmosphere. I was having a laugh with a few people round about me, and talking about favourite songs that we wanted to hear.
We weren't disappointed. UFO took to the stage and gave us 2 hours of solid rock!
Songs from the new album were performed before the band settled into a run of the best stuff from the Phenomenon, Obsession and Lights Out albums.
Vinnie Moore adds his own style of melodic/shred guitar, and does a fine job of it too, without detracting from the original numbers.
Barry Sparks was filling in for Pete Way (who is currently ill), and is a superb bass player in his own right. Thundering riffs in all the right places.
Phil Mogg seemed to be amazed that there were a couple of 14 year olds in the crowd - he asked them if they're Dad had brought them, reminisced about his first gigs, and kept reminding himself to mind his language. Andy Parker gave the lads his drumsticks as a souvenir at the end.
They performed the best rendition of "Love To Love" that I've heard to date. Encores were "Rock Bottom" and what seemed like half an hour later (if you know the song you'll know why) the inevitable "Doctor Doctor". It was also great to hear "Only You Can Rock Me" performed properly i.e. not be me and my mates :)
Showing posts with label heavy metal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heavy metal. Show all posts
Monday, 6 December 2010
Thursday, 13 May 2010
KISS - Manchester MEN Arena 10 May 2010
Finished off my holiday week by going to see KISS. Missed their Liverpool gig, so I had to drive over to Manchester. Glad that I drove to the gig, because the extended encore might have missed the last train back.
There was a great 'party' atmosphere going into the arena. Loads of people had got into the spirit of things, and were wearing the face paint of their idols. Some full outfits were being worn too. The audience age looked like it ranged from 8 to 68.
KISS were everything that I expected them to be. Absolutely phenomenal pantomime/circus totally over the top extravaganza of a rock concert. A band who really know how to make an entrance! 3 guitarists arriving on a stage that flies from behind the drum riser, over the top of the drummer and lands in front of him - This set the scene for what was to come over the next 2 hours.
Lots of people were watching the gig via the screen of their mobile phones, so consequently you can now find most of the show on You Tube. Personally I'd rather see it than film it.
An arsenal of pyrotechnics and flame throwers, huge video backdrops, fire breathing, blood spitting, trapeze, guitars that fire like guns and fly up into the roof, and the KISS logo - an entertainment in itself. Each member of the band 'flew' at some point, either up into the rigging, or across the audience to a separate stage - even the drummer and his kit went into the air! Some highly powered rock music too (but this was never their strongest point), but combined with the whole package in full makeup, absolutely phenomenal!
They finished off with a half hour finale. After the smoke had cleared they finally bowed out with a long rendition of "God Gave Rock and Roll To You" whilst cannons blasted a constant stream of ticker tape over the crowd.
Totally knackered afterwards, since I'd driven about 200 miles back from holiday earlier in the day, but really glad that I went.
There was a great 'party' atmosphere going into the arena. Loads of people had got into the spirit of things, and were wearing the face paint of their idols. Some full outfits were being worn too. The audience age looked like it ranged from 8 to 68.
KISS were everything that I expected them to be. Absolutely phenomenal pantomime/circus totally over the top extravaganza of a rock concert. A band who really know how to make an entrance! 3 guitarists arriving on a stage that flies from behind the drum riser, over the top of the drummer and lands in front of him - This set the scene for what was to come over the next 2 hours.
Lots of people were watching the gig via the screen of their mobile phones, so consequently you can now find most of the show on You Tube. Personally I'd rather see it than film it.
An arsenal of pyrotechnics and flame throwers, huge video backdrops, fire breathing, blood spitting, trapeze, guitars that fire like guns and fly up into the roof, and the KISS logo - an entertainment in itself. Each member of the band 'flew' at some point, either up into the rigging, or across the audience to a separate stage - even the drummer and his kit went into the air! Some highly powered rock music too (but this was never their strongest point), but combined with the whole package in full makeup, absolutely phenomenal!
They finished off with a half hour finale. After the smoke had cleared they finally bowed out with a long rendition of "God Gave Rock and Roll To You" whilst cannons blasted a constant stream of ticker tape over the crowd.
Totally knackered afterwards, since I'd driven about 200 miles back from holiday earlier in the day, but really glad that I went.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
KISS
Woohoo! My KISS ticket arrived in the post today.
I've seen them before, but not in makeup doing the full stageshow, so I decided it's high time that I did. Unfortunately their first ever visit to Liverpool's Echo Arena coincided with our family holiday :( So my ticket's for Manchester Evening News Arena on the day that we get back.
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