First up, former Almighty front man Ricky Warwick, who was playing a solo
acoustic spot. Not bad but just like a pub singer really – nothing special
and not a tune remained in my head after the gig. His debut album maybe
worth a look as Joe Elliott is listed as the producer.
The Darkness have been the object of much hype in the rock press - a camp
heavy metal band as Classic Rock magazine named them! They started off with
a Quo like boogie riff before the vocalist, dressed in a fetching pink
jumpsuit, started his highly-strung vocals.
A mixture of Geddy Lee meets Jon
Anderson with the stage moves of the late, great Freddie Mercury! The music
is classic heavy rock but the thing that will make or break the band are the
highly pitched vocals - hard to explain unless you hear them first hand. Not
a bad set but those vocals are something else.
Def Leppard took to the stage in a mass of lights and a packed audience
full of loyal fans. ‘Let It Rock’ started off their set in fine style. All
the classics were there including ‘Photograph’, ‘Foolin’, ‘Rocket’,
‘Promises’, ‘Bringin’ On The Heartache’ and ‘ Animal’.
Even the classic
Sweet cover ‘Action’ was aired and boy does the band rock out on this! Newer
tracks are represented by ‘Now’ and the forthcoming UK single ‘Long Way To
Go’. The acoustic spot featured ‘Two Steps Behind’, which has become a firm
favourite from the ‘Retroactive’ album.
A great concert - the heaviest I’ve ever seen them play - with a good
mix of songs. Quality melodic rock from a band that just gets better with
age - come back soon!
Text © 2003 Jason Ritchie
