After the experience of last week’s Judas Priest gig, I’d be lying if I said I had any confidence that tonight’s crowd would be any better. But from the get-go, there was a tangible air of excitement among the masses even before a note had been played. (Maybe today being a national holiday had something to do with it?) By the time I arrived, the local support act had evidently been and gone, meaning that almost immediately it was time for Motörhead.
Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell appeared first, closely followed by Lemmy who helpfully announced who they were and what they do. Launching straight into ‘We Are Motörhead’, the punters were already more animated than last week’s had been for an entire evening of Judas Priest. Following up this ‘modern’ number came a medley of ‘Overkill’ material – as has been customary of late. First came a ‘Damage Case’ beset with guitar issues (which would persist throughout), followed by ‘Stay Clean’ and a ‘Metropolis’ which appeared out of time, as if one of the band couldn’t hear properly through their monitor. Nonetheless, it would take more than technical issues to dampen the mood of the audience or indeed the band, who had the lights put up only to joke about the repulsively male dominated demographic in attendance.
Following on, there would be a mere one track representing the band’s last album in the form of ‘Lost Woman Blues’. Otherwise it was a night heavy on old school classics with the likes of ‘Over the Top’, ‘The Chase is Better than the Catch’ and ‘Going to Brazil’ representing some of the best of this band’s work. The highlight for me – aside from the band/crowd interaction – was the two tracks from ‘Orgasmatron’. First came ‘Dr Rock’, Phil Campbell humorously pointing out that “he’s not a real doctor, just pretend”, before a memorable version-and-a-half of the title track. Just as Lemmy finished the refrain “My name is called religion, sadistic, sacred whore” the sound system cut abruptly out, a state of affairs which lasted a good couple of minutes – presumably under the weight of such sonic awesomeness. But as soon as they could, the band got under way again.
Unsurprisingly ‘Ace of Spades’ received the biggest reception of the night and I found myself inadvertently shouting the lyrics into the ear of an old man who had gradually been backing his way towards me. Going by the band’s shambolic encore it was hard to judge whether they were impressed by the crowd or not. (In my opinion, this was one of the best I’ve witnessed here.) Instead of just battering out the inevitable ‘Overkill’, first they started playing a track from “Mikkey Dee’s first album”. In the initial rendition, Lemmy sang lyrics to ‘Orgasmatron’, before it all broke down. Promising to do it again “in d”, the band trudged on for another minute or so. As mentioned, whether they were having a bit of fun, taking the piss, or a bit of both was unclear. But ultimately we got what we wanted with an explosion of strobes and double bass, though again, the guitar was inaudible.
Overall it was an impressive night tonight – from Lemmy’s uncompromising performance to the gig atmosphere (as peculiar as this will sound to anyone who hasn’t been to a show here). As well as surpassing my expectations – despite the technical issues – Motörhead have shown that even at forty-years-old, they’re still more than capable of kicking our arses… And naturally, as I lay in bed later on my ears were still ringing.
(Jamie)
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