MEN Arena, Manchester 24th November 2011
Having spent a few hours at Cheshire Oaks shopping centre (near Chester) we had pretty much finished the Christmas shopping. We checked into Manchester West Holiday Inn Express around 15:30, have stayed here a few times before as it is only a short taxi ride to the arena and relatively good value.
The arena was not that busy when we arrived, about 6pm, and we took our seats on Block 102 with a quite near view of the stage. We noticed they had the second tier curtained off (ie lots of seats not sold), but then its hardly chart topping bands is it?
This tour for Alter Bridge would be their first arena headlining, only last year they were playing the likes of Rock City, and O2 Academy venues. Similar for the other bands of course.
Theory Of A Deadman
Theory of a Deadman came onto the stage around 19:10 after a short intro, and went straight into "Gentlemen" from their newish album. The floor and arena had started filling up now, with the floor around half full.
This group are very much like Nickelback, and have supported them and have been assisted in the past by said band. Their music is a mix of anthemic ballads, softer style rock and some, it has to be said, cliched and at times "make you laugh" lyrics. Their set was very good, with excellent sound throughout and I enjoyed every minute of it.
We even got a cover of Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" and a teaser intro of Guns and Roses "Paradise City". C`mon guys do the whole song next time!
Theory Of A Deadman Set list
Intro
(Blame Canada)
1) Gentlemen
2) So Happy
3) Lowlife
5) Cocaine
(Eric Clapton cover)
6) Hate My Life
8) Bad Girlfriend
Black Stone Cherry
With their album this year (Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea) they have reached even higher acclaim and the album having more of a commercial edge than the previous two albums.
To be honest, the new album has hardly ever not been played most weeks on my iPod (or days even!) and I really rate it, and the older material has definitely grown on me more.
We were not disappointed.. wow.!........ great sound, great gravelly vocals, with both heavy rock tracks and slower harmonies, this guy can REALLY sing with attitude. They hit the stage with a belter, straight into "Change" , a hard hitting older track with plenty of edge.
The crowd now filling the Arena floor went mad for it, the band's guitarists leaping around the stage from one side to the other. Fantastic stuff.
Before long the pace dropped and the ballad "In My Blood" from the new album was aired, showcasing that voice. The tempo was picked up for "Rain wizard" and then "Things My Father Said", the live version of this ballad seemed even better than the album version, the vocals so clear and echoing around the arena.
The crowd went mad for "White Trash Millionaire" the ringing guitar urging the crowd front stage to surge backwards and forwards like a wave.
After a short blues medley, the anthemic "Peace is Free" saw the crowd singing along loudly, and it was not long before the even more anthemic and sing-a-long "Blame it on the Boom Boom" reverberated around the arena.
The show came to a close with everyone on their feet to "Lonely Train" and the band left with a message that they would be back in the UK in March 2012.
No doubt we will be there!! Stunning!
Black Stone Cherry Set List
Myles Kennedy and Alter Bridge have gone from strength to strength in 2010/2011, particularly since the release of their epic Alter Bridge 3 album, which received very positive acclaim all over the world. Along with appearances with Slash on his recent album and tour, it seems Myles Kennedy can do nothing wrong.............................. Till tonight!
After about a 30 minute short wait, Alter Bridge came on stage to the atmospheric intro bars of "Slip to the Void". This promised to be good....................!!
All was well with the slow building introduction with Myles silhouetted on stage as he sang the intro, then the band came in............ Oh, what a disappointment...
Overloud, distorted drums and bass masking Myles' unique voice, the lead guitar master Mark Tremonti also cutting too deep and overpowering everything...... it was A MESS!!
The packed floor crowd appeared to be lapping it up, surging back and forth, security pulling many out who had either passed out with the heat or crush.
"Ghost of Days Gone By", the melodic anthem, was hardly recognisible through the distorted mess, and most songs merged into one.
Still the band and crowd were lively, but thats about all that can be said positively!
It was only when the band finally started the intro of "Blackbird" that things seemed to improve a little, and this extended version was the highlight of the otherwise messy set.
Myles finally brough out his stool, slowed down the pace, with a reasonable version of "Wonderful Life" and "Watch Over You". This was more like it. Before long though it reverted back into the distorted sound when the band rejoined the proceedings.
We left just before the encore, having endured enough, we were not the only ones!!
Alter Bridge Set List
- (Blackbird - The Beatles Intro)
- (Myles solo acoustic)
- (Myles solo acoustic)
- Encore:
Overall a VERY entertaining evening, but marred by the rubbish distorted sound for Alter Bridge. Black Stone Cherry should have been the headliners by a country mile!!
Our gig Scores:
T.O.A.D. - 7/10
Black Stone Cherry - 8.5/10
Alter Bridge - 5/10 (Would be lower were it not for Blackbird)
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