Opening band POWER QUEST sounded all over the place. It’s hard enough to perform power metal live as it is, but with several members of the band being brand new to the fold, POWER QUEST really did look, and sound, completely out of sorts – their live performance not doing justice to the quality of their studio material. The response from the crowd was much better for 2nd support FURY UK, whose stripped down metal went down very well. Frontman and lead guitarist Chris Appleton is a real talent, and made the set thoroughly enjoyable to watch, particularly the climax of the awesome, classic METALLICA style ‘Death By Lightning’

Part of the excitement when Michael Schenker is in town is that you never quite know what you’re going to get. As long as the brandy bottle is locked away in the cupboard, you can guarantee that a sober Schenker is going to produce a fantastic performance on guitar. Fortunately, tonight, Schenker was indeed 100% sober, and he was looking in very good shape.

Barely 30 seconds into set opener ‘Ride On My Way’, Schenker disappeared from the stage with his legendary half black, half white flying-V, returning moments later with a less familiar ‘flame’ designed flying-V. At this stage, I feared the worst. However, from there on in, Schenker didn’t drop a note, and played a thoroughly enjoyable set – seemingly enjoying every moment in front of the packed venue.

With vocalist Gary Barden returning to the fray, it was very much an MSG orientated set, with the only two UFO numbers ‘Rock Bottom’ and ‘Doctor, Doctor’ preserved for the encore. Barden was never the best of singers, but despite letting the crowd sing at least half of the choruses through the set, Barden’s performance showed that his voice has stood the test of time pretty well. ‘Armed & Ready’ and ‘Attack of the Mad Axeman’ were terriffic, but it was also great to see lesser played tracks like ‘Cry For The Nations’ and ‘Let Sleeping Dogs Lie’.

Seeing Michael Schenker on form is always a pleasure for any rock fan. After all his ups and downs, he still has the genius to attract a considerable following, and every person in attendance tonight will have been delighted that the great man was on form, and hence, delivered a christmas treat. Let’s hope Schenker can stay on the straight and narrow, and if so, the rock community will continue to be blessed by an undisputed guitar God.

MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP Setlist: Ride On My Way Play / Cry For The Nations / Let Sleeping Dogs Lie / Ready To Rock / Armed & Ready / I Want You / Night To Remember / Into The Arena / Lost Horizons / Rock My Nights Away / On And On / Attack Of The Mad Axeman / Dance Lady Gypsy / Rock Bottom / Doctor Doctor

MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP: 4.6/5.0
Review by James Allman