NEC 19th March (set list spoilers included)

[vrem]

(Scorps set list at bottom of this posting just in case you don't want to
see it)



Really enjoyed the Scorpions last night. It had been sometime since I last
saw them live on the Crazy World tour but this was worth the wait. The sound
was pretty good and everything came across well or at least from where I was
seated. The boys really seemed to enjoy the show. This is the first time
(Acoustica DVD aside) that I have seen James Kottak live and he really
brings something to the band. One of the most energetic drummers I have
ever seen and it's obvious that he really loves playing live. The band went
down really well and I think there were a fair amount there who came along
just to see the Scorps. The arena seemed near full for Scorpions but I did
notice that by the time Priest got to their encore the arena had emptied a
little bit. I really believe that this should have been a double bill gig
with each band getting 1.5 hours, I'm sure this would have ensured a sold
out concert.



Now for Priest............ I can't say I didn't enjoy Priest but they were
very patchy. The first half hour was very good, the middle bit hit & miss
and the last 25-30 minutes was poor. Halford's vocals started off quite well
but deteriorated as the show went on. It was quite funny really as it was
what I would call a heavy metal panto with Rob being the pantomime dame!
His outfits (note plural) were hilarious and the synchronised headbanging
and guitar swinging from the other 3 was comedy at it's very best. The
whole stage show was more Spinal Tap than anything you could imagine. At
one point Halford stands on a plinth behind the drums, it rises and he puts
his arms out angel like (see new album cover) and fake flames shoot from in
front of his feet, then cue Metal Gods! I nearly pissed myself. I think it
was one of those shows that you didn't take seriously and as long as you
have that attitude you will enjoy them.



The sound quality was good unlike the reviews I've seen of Hammersmith. The
volume level was comfortable and everything came through quite well. I did
think the volume and distortion went up toward the last 30 minutes but that
may have been me.



All in all I enjoyed both bands but not surprisingly the Scorpions stole the
show for me.







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The Scorpions set list was I think: (This may not be in order and I may have
missed something)



Coming Home / Bad Boys Running Wild

The Zoo

Love 'Em Or Leave 'Em

Coast To Coast

Loving You Sunday Morning

Lovedrive

Tease Me Please Me

Blackout

Hit Between the Eyes

Big City Nights

Dynamite

Rock You Like A Hurricane

[Angus]

Ha! That sounds the business to me. A great Scorps set, and a bit of a
laugh at Rob "Old Ham"-ford and his heavy metal heroes.

Priest, of course, are a bunch of ex-builders and printers' mates, so
they're really just Joe Bloggs pretending to be rock stars. Limited
guitar skills, but a nice line in synchronised headbanging and loud
PAs. I'm sure they spend half their time expecting to be found out
after all these years of getting away with metal-by-numbers.

The video for Living After Midnight is an utter classic, filmed at
Sheffield City Hall with cardboard- and air-guitar wielding fans.
Fabbo. Mind, some of the Scorps videos are ... erm ... interesting.
Hurricane, for one, is piss-poor, and Rhythm Of Love is a touch
embarrassing.

The difference is, you could forgive the Scorps their sexist album
covers & lyrics and their stupid videos because the musicianship was
outstanding (Jabs: most unsung guitarist in rock? Schenker: rhythm
guitar god) and they always came across as genuine. Even in
multi-coloured all-in-one spandex suits (don't forget the matching
armbands!).

Har har har :)

Angus

[vrem]

Angus, are you going to any of these gigs?

If you are just go with the same attitude I did. I knew that the Scorps
were going to be spot on - they always are given a decent stage and sound
anyway. Then sit back and let Priest do their stuff. I actually enjoyed a
good part of the Priest set but unlike some I never for one moment took it
seriously. In fact it's fair to say there were others like me, I saw a
bloke at work today and he came up to me unprompted and said it was like a
heavy metal panto. Priest actually take about a minute or so between songs,
I assume they are either changing clothes or rehearsing their steps!

One very weird thing though and my wife turned to me and we both said at the
same time that he wasn't singing all the high notes live, it appeared to be
a backing track. On the last scream of Victim of Changes he left the mic a
good 5 seconds before the vocals came out. After that we noticed other
times when it happened. Keep an eye open for it.

Also listen out for possibly THE worst live guitar solo ever by Tipton, it
was during Victim of Changes I think. It was 5 minutes of him repeating one
single guitar phrase - hilarious, boring or pure crap - make your own mind
up.

Post by Angus
Ha! That sounds the business to me. A great Scorps set, and a bit of a
laugh at Rob "Old Ham"-ford and his heavy metal heroes.
Priest, of course, are a bunch of ex-builders and printers' mates, so
they're really just Joe Bloggs pretending to be rock stars. Limited
guitar skills, but a nice line in synchronised headbanging and loud
PAs. I'm sure they spend half their time expecting to be found out
after all these years of getting away with metal-by-numbers.
The video for Living After Midnight is an utter classic, filmed at
Sheffield City Hall with cardboard- and air-guitar wielding fans.
Fabbo. Mind, some of the Scorps videos are ... erm ... interesting.
Hurricane, for one, is piss-poor, and Rhythm Of Love is a touch
embarrassing.
The difference is, you could forgive the Scorps their sexist album
covers & lyrics and their stupid videos because the musicianship was
outstanding (Jabs: most unsung guitarist in rock? Schenker: rhythm
guitar god) and they always came across as genuine. Even in
multi-coloured all-in-one spandex suits (don't forget the matching
armbands!).
Har har har :)
Angus

[Angus]

Yer, I'm going to the Glasgow gig on Saturday.

Your approach sounds just about where I'll be coming from I reckon.

I wouldn't have travelled down from Aberdeen to see Priest. It's the
Scorpions I'm going to see. Nothing against Priest, like, in fact there
was a time when I bought all their albums (that stopped with Point of
Entry, though). So I'll be observing their capers with a bit of
knowledge and expecting a bit of a laugh. I'm a bit pissed off they're
not doing Loch Ness with an inflatable monster, though. :)

Tipton's a handy enough journeyman heavy metal guitarist, but I've
never been blown away by anything he's done. The solo you mention
sounds a bit Spinal Tap, which is what I'm expecting really!

Does Halford still get his Harley out?

Angus

[vrem]

Does Halford still get his Harley out?

Yep for Hell Bent for Leather. That reminds me I remember seeing them at
Brum Odeon on the British Steel tour which I believe was the first tour he
did the Harley thing. He pulled on to the stage looking cool and promptly
fell of the thing and it nearly landed in the audience. Oh happy days!

Though I take the piss I actually like Priest too but I gave up with British
Steel. There's a lot of bullshit spoken about that album , it's called a
classic but in IMO it isn't a patch on Sad Wings, Sin After Sin or Stained
Class.

Post by Angus
Yer, I'm going to the Glasgow gig on Saturday.
Your approach sounds just about where I'll be coming from I reckon.
I wouldn't have travelled down from Aberdeen to see Priest. It's the
Scorpions I'm going to see. Nothing against Priest, like, in fact there
was a time when I bought all their albums (that stopped with Point of
Entry, though). So I'll be observing their capers with a bit of
knowledge and expecting a bit of a laugh. I'm a bit pissed off they're
not doing Loch Ness with an inflatable monster, though. :)
Tipton's a handy enough journeyman heavy metal guitarist, but I've
never been blown away by anything he's done. The solo you mention
sounds a bit Spinal Tap, which is what I'm expecting really!
Does Halford still get his Harley out?
Angus