Rahul
Purple fan
Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 6181
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Whitesnake in Newcastle - contains setlist spoilers!
Well, it's been a couple of days since I went to the show, so I've calmed down now, and can be a bit more objective!
We arrived at the venue, only to find our seats were at the very back of the hall, up in the stands somewhere. Honestly, if we were any further back, I'd have been in the next room.
The place was officially sold out, which I think is incredible for a band, nay singer, who has not had a hit since 1989. But if does go to show how enduring ther songs of Whitesnake are, and I did feel a sort of satisfaction that the band I love can fill out a place like the City Hall. That will shut up the non-believers at work!
So the Quireboys came on, and did an excellent job at warming up the crowd. The sound was not brilliant, as is often the case for support bands, but they did their thing, and they did it well. I even recognised one of their hits. I knew I had heard something by the band before, but couldn't recall it.
So anyways, Whitesnake hit the stage at around 8.45, and play Burn. I had avoided all reviews prior to the gig, because I didn't want to hear the setlist. The only thing I knew was that Burn opened the gig.
However, there was something missing. I couldn't put my finger on it, but Coverdale did not seem to be very interested in the song. Sitting right at the back puts a whole new perspective on a gig, because you can't get involved like those at the front, so you just stand and watch, and form a more clear opinion of how the band perform.
After that however, Coverdale really got into the part. He was fantastic. The solo vocal parts are always a highlight for me, because they prove to the doubters just what a fantastic singer Coverdale still is. No hiding behind wailing guitars here. Blindman, Sailing Ships, Bloody Mary and Soldier of Fortune were all sung solo. He could sing me a lullaby anytime!
But the band rocked as well. Give Me All Your Love, Here I Go Again, and Still of the Night were even better than last year, and just as good as when I first saw the band in 1997.
The biggest surprises were Judgement Day (my fave from that era), Take Me With You, and Don't Break My Heart Again. Never again will I look at a setlist before a gig, because nothing feels so good as a surprise track thrown in that you just don't expect!
As a frontman, he lived up to all expectation. Flirting with the women in the front row, making obscene gestures with his mike, and charming the audience with his anecdotes. Brilliant.
The crowd were loving it. The band were loving it. And the illness that befell the band the night before seemed well and truly eradicated.
I will see this band again, because they arfe just fantastic. Tommy Aldridge's drum solo is immense. And even the guitarists impressed me more than they did last year.
So all in all, a great night. Just one word of advice. Don't buy the programme. It's a bit pants, unless you like pictures (only pictures) of wrinkly rock stars. However, it's almost worth the price, simply for a close-up of Aldridge's perm. Magic!
--- We're here for a good time, not for a long time!
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10/10/2004, 20:50
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mikesmfc
Purple fan
Registered: 04-2004
Posts: 1310
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Re: Whitesnake in Newcastle - contains setlist spoilers!
nice review
--- You got the wrong man
You don't understand
You got the wrong man
You got the wrong man
I do what I can
http://mikesmfc.tripod.com/
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12/10/2004, 11:45
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David Meadows
The Fountain Of Useless Knowledge
Registered: 09-2003
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Re: Whitesnake in Newcastle - contains setlist spoilers!
Sounds like a good gig, but I still don't regret staying away
--- I must Create a System or be enslav'd by another Man's.
I will not Reason and Compare: my business is to Create
-- William Blake
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12/10/2004, 12:41
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Rahul
Purple fan
Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 6181
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Re: Whitesnake in Newcastle - contains setlist spoilers!
Fair enough, you know what to expect from a Whitesnake gig, and if it's not your thing, then there's no point going.
This gig was better than last year's I think, but then the change of venue certainly helps too!
The guitarists sounded better than last year, but Doug's guitar solo is still a heavy metal cliche that serves no purpose other than for Coverdale to go for a piss break!
--- We're here for a good time, not for a long time!
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12/10/2004, 13:37
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