High Voltage Festival - Saturday 23 July, Victoria Park, London

Having missed last years inaugural Festival due to a hit and miss 2 day line I decided that this year would be the one to go to. Being a keen reader of Classic Rock magazine I was waiting for them to announce the headliners for both Saturday & Sunday. Soon as I heard that Judas Priest would headline on Saturday I decided to get my ticket. The rest of the bands on that day were a bit special as well.
So on a warm Saturday morning I ventured to East London.On arrival, apart from the main stage, there was the Metal Hammer stage and the Prog stage. However the main action was on the Main stage.

First up was Michael Monroe. Having seen him last year at the Download Festival I was looking forward to seeing him again. At precisely 1.30pm he kicked up a half an hour set with 'Trick Of The Wrist'. We had a couple of Hanoi Rocks, a couple of Demolition 23 songs, Dregen from Backyard Babies on guitar, him scaling the scaffolding and finishing off with 'Dead, Jail or Rock N' Roll. Another energetic and entertaining performance.

Skin were next, however I missed most of their set but heard the last 2 numbers, 'Tower Of Strength' and Shine Your Light'. A reliable performance by all accounts.



Next up was Queensryche. I hadn't seem them since 1991 Monsters of Rock Festival so I was looking forward to them. These days even though Geoff Tate is sporting the bald head  he certainly hasn't lost his voice. Although the sound was bit suspect in places, for me the highlights were 'I Don't Believe In Love', 'Jet City Woman', 'Empire' and finishing off with 'Eyes Of A Stranger'. It was a pity they finished 10 minutes early as they could've played another song. Magnificent!

Thin Lizzy were up next. Ricky Warwick has got it spot on, all the songs sounding great. And as you expect they played all the hits including 'Waiting For An Alibi, 'Jailbreak' and 'Dancing in the Moonlight (with Michael Monroe on an inaudible saxophone!). Of course we had 'Wiskey in the Jar', 'The Boys Are Back In Town', 'Rosalie' and finally finishing off with 'Black Rose'. Another magnificent performance.

Slash played for 1 hour, and to be selfish all I wanted to hear were Guns N' Roses song. I did, and I got 4 of them. A one two of  Nighttrain' followed by 'Rocket Queen'. Of course we had 'Sweet Child of Mine' and finally finishing off with 'Pardise City'. We all know that Myles Kennedy is no Axl Rose but he still made a good job. As an extra bonus for me he played Velvet Revolver's 'Slither'. A solid show.

Finally at 8.35pm Judas Priest hit the main stage. They played songs from their 30+year career. Obviously with no KK Downing on guitar, I was curious to see if Richie Faulkner was as adequate replacement. And I hate to say it in my opinion he was just a good. Highlights for me included 'Metal Gods', 'Prophecy', ' Night Crawler' and 'Turbo Lover'. Rob Halford got the crowd to sing 'Breaking the Law' in it's entirety which I thought was a right cop out. Sadly by the end of 'Painkiller' I had to leave which  meant I missed the encores of 'Hell Bent for Leather', 'You've Got Another Thing Comin' and 'Living After Midnight'.

To sum up this was a good one day festival. Same again next year I hope.

Motley Crue & Poison & New York Dolls - Tuesday 28th June 2011, Molson Amphitheatre - Toronto Canada

When I first heard about this concert a few months back I thought what a fantastic package. Two of my favourite bands touring together. Like most glam heads out there, I would never in a million years think these 2 bands would tour together. Yet here it was in 2011 a 30+ date tour of America (and 1 in Canada). Of course this tour would never reach London, let alone the UK, so my only chance to see them was to fly over there. This was an opportunity too good to miss. The last time I saw Poison play in London was in 1993 at the Hammersmith Odeon. So this was my chance to see them play a (short) greatest hit set as 'very special guests' to Motley Crue. I've seen Motley Crue twice in the last 2 years. Firstly at last years Sonisphere Festival and secondly at Download Festival the year before. So my real intention on going was to see Poison.

I decided to choose Toronto to see the gig. After persuading my girlfriend to join me, I booked the tickets (not the greatest seats I must add as all the best ones had long gone - hence the lack of close up photo's), we flew out a few days beforehand for some sightseeing. On the day of the concert I got there in good time to see New York Dolls. Not a massive crowd to start of but the venue started to soon fill up. Couldn't tell you any of the songs as I'm not a fan of them but I was pleasantly surprised. I would certainly go and see them again.

Then (for me) the main band of the evening....Poison. They were celebrating 25 years so I new they would play all their hits. It started of what looked like a Poison roadie in a hoodie spray painting Rikki Rocket's double bass drum. It was in fact him! After jumping behind his kit, out came CC Deville playing the opening riffs to 'Look What The Cat Dragged In! Out of the wings soon followed Bobby Dall and Bret Michael's (in his customary cowboy hat).This was quickly followed by 'I Want  Action', 'Ride The Wind' and 'Your Mama Don't Dance'. We had an unnecessary guitar solo from CC. I know that he's an very underrated player, but with only a 50 min set they could've skipped the solo for another song. Never mind, all was forgiven when they continued with 'Fallen Angel' and 'Unskinny Bop'. We then had Rikki's drum solo. This I enjoyed being a drummer myself. They then slowed it down for 'Every Rose Has It's Thorn', finally picking up the pace for the final 2 songs 'Talk Dirty To Me' and of course 'Nothin' But a Good Time'. And that was the Poison show done. Was it worth it flying all those miles to see them, you bet it was!

   

Now could Motley Crue top that? Of course, their 15 strong set was also greatest hits set voted by their fans (including me). I knew the set list before it started and I knew about Tommy Lee's rollercoster drum solo. After seeing it, they need to bring this over to the UK! All 4 members were on top of their game, even Vince Neil's vocals, which can be hit or miss at the best of times was singing most of the words. Mick Mars guitar playing was awesome (and a great sound), Nikki Sixx is a bass monster, prowling the stage, and Tommy Lee can certainly

wack those drums. Did I mention the songs, well you can check the full list at the end of my blog. However they started of with 'Wild Side', finished with 'Kickstart My Heart' and in between played my girlfriend's favourite 'Too Young to Fall in Love'.

 

So who came out top? Honours are even in my opinion. Now wouldn't it be great if these 2 bands played Wembley Arena next year? Here's hoping. 

Motley Crue setlist: Wild Side, Saints of Los Angeles, Live Wire, Shout at the Devil, Same Ol' Situation, Primal Scream, Home Sweet Home, Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away), Looks That Kill, Dr Feelgood, Too Young to Fall in Love, Ten Seconds to Love, Girls,Girls,Girls, Smokin' in the Boys Room and Kickstart My Heart.