Manchester MEN 8th June 2011
Manchester MEN, 8th June, three classic rock bands together in one show.
We took out seats in the "stalls" section F around 6:30 ready for the show at 7pm.
The arena was full but not sold out judging by the the top row sections at the back screened off. Still not a bad turn out, the remaining sections were full. Perhaps the rest of Manchester had headed for the Take That concert taking place the same night.
Styx
Just after 7pm Styx hit the stage with a pulsating lights introduction and straight into "The Grand Illusion". The first point of interest was the lead singer on keyboards, with the keyboards set on a platform and the unit itself able to rotate 360 degrees around. Whilst not being too familiar with most Styx material I enjoyed most of the 40 minute set, good sound and guitars, but not so keen on the higher pitched style of the lead vocals. Have to admit though, good vocals on "Come Sail Away". Though they did not do the more familiar "Babe" that most know.
Their original Bass player joined them for three of the eight tracks played.
Styx Set List
The Grand Illusion
Too much time on my hands
Lady
Fooling Yourself (The angry young man)
Blue collar man
Miss America
Come Sail Away
(Encore) Renegade
Foreigner
They hit the stage with "Double Vision". Having seen this on a recent tour DVD, I was expecting this to be hard hitting, high impact, in your face, here we are! Unfortunately the sound was VERY off, and the vocals were pathetic, not the hard hitting presence I had seen on DVD. Disappointing to say the least. It took a few tracks for the sound to improve, probably not the bands fault, but we`ve paid the money so expect the goods! By the time "Cold as Ice" was introduced the band got into their stride and the sound was much improved.
Kelly Hansen is one heck of a frontman, having both the vocal range for the rockier tracks (and boy did they rock!) as well as the contrasting ballads. This guy has charisma in bucketloads and at one point left the stage and went right into the crowd - not just the front rows, right in there amongst it!! Good stuff then! Of course the original guitar slinger Mick Jones was there taking a lead role in the sound and the whole band looked tight and played as one. A VERY entertaining set from the rocky 'Double Vision' and 'Head Games', to the sax on 'Urgent' and the fantastic vocals on 'Waiting For A Girl Like You' and 'I Want To Know What Love Is'. A nine minute version of 'Juke Box Hero' rounded off the set as a spectacular encore with manga- like cartoon video backdrop and crowd pleasing vocals and guitar. Fantastic, Foreigner rocked the house!
Kelly Hansen in the crowd! Not good photos as taken with phone.
The 60 minute set was over too soon, and could not see how the headliners Journey could top this (They didn`t!!)
Foreigner Set List
Double Vision
Head Games
Cold As Ice
Waiting for a girl like you
Feels like the first time
Urgent
I want to know what love is
Hot blooded
(Encore) Juke Box Hero
Journey
So after about a thirty minute wait the headliners Journey hit the stage with the instantly recognisible "Separate Ways (worlds apart)".
The sound was good, the band were good, the vocals from the relatively new lead singer Arnel Pineda were good, but...... there was in my mind something missing.
Whilst Arnel's vocals were very good, he cannot in my mind ever be considered an equal to Steve Perry, not just in vocal range, but in that all important charisma and working with the band as a tight unit. It was a case of the Neil Schon show with the guitarist appearing to dominate proceedings in many ways. The band appeared "separated" from the lead singer despite excellent vocals, and Arnel did not seem to have much presence with the crowd or the band.
The songs came and went, a few moments of brilliance both vocal and guitar, no wow moments of the band together as a solid unit. A little disappointing, enjoyable in some ways, but it has to be said.. boys.. Foreigner blew you away! Perhaps then , Foreigner should have been headlining the night based on all the performances.
Journey played for around 90 minutes, covering much of their popular material from the past as well as some of the tracks from their new album "Eclipse". Tonight, however, was not their night but Foreigner's... those guys rock!
Journey Set List
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
Only The Young
Edge of the moment
Ask the lonely
Send her my love
Resonate
Stone in love
City of Hope
Lights
Tantra
Open Arms
Chains of love
Wheel in the sky
Be good to yourself
Loving,Touching,Squeezing
Faithfully
Don`t stop believing
(Encore) Any way you want it
Our Scores:
Styx: 6/10
Foreigner: 8.5/10
Journey: 6.5/10
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