Michael Schenker
A long set mostly filled with songs that I have known since my youngest teenage years
A momentous year of live music ended with a trip down memory lane, back to the 80’s for the return visit of one of the great metal guitarists Michael Schenker. Famed for his work with Scorpions, UFO and his own Michael Schenker Group, the master of the Flying V has spent recent years regaining fans and respect after a number of years in the wilderness.
The support band were amusingly lame, giving it their all to a sea of indifference as though the past 30 years hadn’t happened. In some ways they summed up the night; this was all about looking back, not forward. Bands likes this are known as heritage acts and that’s fine; there was a good sized crowd and why shouldn’t these old rockers be able to play their songs and earn a living? However, tonight proceedings did feel very tame, very safe and not in the least bit rock ‘n’ roll. Not helped by Doogie White’s frankly ridiculous front man persona. Air grabs, pointing, daft banter and a not entirely convincing head of hair made it impossible to take him seriously. When he tried to get the crowd to clap along he was largely ignored, but when ex Scorpions bassist Francis Buchholz clicked his goddamn fingers everyone responded!
Did I enjoy myself though? Of course I did! A long set mostly filled with songs that I have known since my youngest teenage years, played expertly by a bunch of incredibly talented musicians. Drummer Herman Rarebell was excellent and of course Herr Schenker was amazing, firing off riffs and playing epic solos. As with the last time I saw him play it was the UFO songs which worked the best and despite my issues with Doogie White’s stage mannerisms there’s no denying he has a superb rock voice.
This was panto season after all and there was more than a touch of that about the evening, but equally the audience really could have put more into it. Sometimes it’s not enough to just turn up and stand there. What happened to joining in? Maybe only concentrating on the past is the problem, I suggest going to see some of the crop of brilliant new rock bands that are out there, Turbowolf, The Wytches or Black Moth for example, and let some of their youthful enthusiasm reignite the flame.
