Steelhouse Festival, Day 2, Michael Schenker, Magnum, 28/07/13

And so it was to day 2 of the Festival with the weather scarcely any better.

We left it until the evening to head on up, and at 7pm, we could hear the strains of the Whitesnake classics: "Slow'N'Easy", "Here I Go Again" and "Fool For Your Loving" coming from the stage as the band's former members now in Snakecharmer weaved their magic.

 

Magnum came on stage at around 8pm. It was with a little trepidation that I anticipated their slot as I've been massively disappointed with their live shows in recent years; namely too much newer slower material which just meanders too much for me.

 

This was a pleasant surprise, however, as even the newer numbers came over as more up tempo, and then we had the classics: How Far Jerusalem?, Days Of No Trust, Vigilante and, of course, Kingdom Of Madness.

Excellent.

Magnum

Bob and Tony - the stalwarts

Lots of older classics

 



In the beer tent...a popular place on a wet weekend

 

 

And then it was time for the maestro - Michael Schenker.

 

Reunited with Scorpions Francis Buchholz on bass and Herman Rarebell on drums, and with Doogie White on vocals, the Temple Of Rock set is a celebration of the work of UFO, the Scorpions and the MSG.

 





The Temple Of Rock

Singing In The Rain

 



Wayne Findlay and Francis

 



Michael Schenker....back on song

Ten years ago, Schenker looked finished. With personal, financial and drink problems, his reputation plummeted, but in recent times he's got his act together is playing as well as ever.

What a set list we had. You name it, it was there: Lovedrive, Coast To Coast, Holiday, Rock You Like A Hurricane, Armed And Ready, Attack Of The Mad Axeman, Blackout (you tube), Doctor Doctor (you tube), Only You Can Rock Me, Lights Out, Shoot Shoot and so on.

This line up have a new album coming out and as they closed this, the last night of their tour, they looked happy and settled.

This was an absolutely brilliant set, what a band.

 

Despite the weather, the Steelhouse Festival was a great success. Credit should go to the organisers for all of their hard work in making it such a success. Roll on 2014!

 

Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock, O2 Academy, Bristol, 17/04/13

Legendary German guitarist Michael Schenker brought his 'Temple Of Rock' tour to Bristol on this Wednesday evening and delighted the gathered crowd with a selection of material from his former years in the Scorpions, UFO and the MSG, as well as the current incarnation.

Live Scorpions: Francis Buchholz and Michael Schenker

with Doogie White on vocals

The first part of the set contained mainly MSG material such as Into The Arena, Assault Attack, Armed and Ready, Attack of the Mad Axeman, and from the Bonnet era, Rock My Nights Away.

from the classic Scorps line-up: Buchholz and Herman 'the German' Rarebell

The main man

the band with Wayne Findlay on keyboards

The Scorpions material showcased included Lovedrive, Another Piece Of Meat, Holiday, Rock You Like A Hurricane and Blackout.

The latter part of the set was mostly UFO numbers such as Only You Can Rock Me, Let It Roll, Too Hot To Handle, Lights Out, Rock Bottom and, of course, to close, Doctor Doctor.

All in all a superb night of classic rock, played by some of the finest in the genre (there's years of experience there). Here's to the next time, which will be on a mountain somewhere high above Ebbw Vale at the Steelhouse Festival, where they headline the Sunday night.