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.