Rock is alive and well! I think that is the best takeaway after tonight’s rock n roll concert of the year, with Whitesnake’s and Def Leppard’s co-headlining tour. Joined by special guest Black Star Riders, it was a night filled with all the hits and classic tunes.
Being a fan of old-school rock music, I was thrilled when I managed to get a ticket for a sold out Genting Arena to see rock royalty live. I arrived early at the arena in the hope to be as close to the stage as I could, and I want the only one who thought about that.
Being it one of my first concerts I ever went too, I was a bit surprised when security wrote a number on my hand and handed me a wristband. Thankfully, people around me explained the concept and I went from being very confused to very excited quickly. With a number 15 on my hand, I withstood the cold and snowy December day to find myself an amazing spot within the arena. Right on the runway with just a meter separating me with the stage where the legends would walk on.
BLACK STAR RIDERS
I wasn’t really familiar with the Black Star Riders, but they sounded great! This power band is formed as the last incarnation of Thin Lizzy that wanted to create new albums. Guitar legend Scott Gorham was in Thin Lizzy back in the 80s and can be heard on some of the band’s most iconic songs.
Black Star Riders is currently made of bassist Robbie Crane, Damon Johnson, Jimmy DeGrasso and singer Ricky Warwick. Promoting their Killer Instinct album, the band played many of those songs, whilst mixing it up with some Thin Lizzy. I really enjoyed it, and it set the night for the main bands that followed.
WHITESNAKE
Whitesnake is a rock band formed in 1978 by former Deep Purple lead singer David Coverdale. To honour his former band, Coverdale released this year The Purple Album. An album I picked up a few months ago and absolutely love! Growing up hearing Here I Go Again and Is This Love on the radio, I never delved too much into the bands’ music. That was till I picked up the CD and fell in love with Whitesnake. If I’m really honest, the whole reason I picked up a ticket to this show was because of them.
As it was part of The Purple Tour, we were treated to many Deep Purple songs throughout the 13 song strong set list. Coverdale is a very charismatic frontman, giving a lot of love and attention to the crowd. I had a great spot at the barrier and Coverdale gave me a few thumbs ups during the show. So freaking cool!
The band sounded great, and you could really hear and see the great skills of musicianship. The mixture of Purple and classic Whitesnake tunes was great and the amount of solo’s to both guitar players and drummer Tommy Aldridge. I never expected to see a drummer to get rid of his sticks and drum bare hand,
David Coverdale and co delivered a great show and I really want to see them again.
DEF LEPPARD
Once again, an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield. The band is seen as part of the new wave of British Heavy Metal. However, but neither the band nor I think that they really fit within that term. The band and their music sound more rock, with even some pop rock elements.
Lead singer Joe Elliot and the band sounded really tight together. Hearing the hits like Animal, Pour Some Sugar On Me and Let’s Get Rocked was awesome. Also, Def Leppard has a new album out that they are promoting. Songs of their self entitled album made it into tonight’s set list, and it fitted really well. Def Leppard sounded great, but couldn’t beat the amazing and energetic performance of Whitesnake.
VERDICT
Wow, what a night! This one is for the books, that is for sure. All three bands sounded amazing, but it was Whitesnake that blew me away. From the moment the band entered the stage, I was in awe by the stage presence of lead singer David Coverdale. Black Star Riders were an awesome surprise and sounded absolute killer. I have to say, Def Leppard sounded good, but compared to the other bands, they came across looking slightly bored.
That said, I can’t wait to go to more concerts and experience more Whitesnake shows! I had the time of my life and can’t wait to do it all again one day.
