Words by Coco Le Sex Bomb
Pix by Fozz
Suncorp Stadium witnessed the double header of a lifetime this Wednesday as rock royalty’s Motley Crue and Def Leppard took the stage with an explosive and captivating performance.
I can’t say I ever imagined seeing Motley Crue sitting down but alas the entire show was seated, but that didn’t stop the motley bunch of scallywags ensuring every man woman and child from the crowd respectfully “get the fuck up!”
The show started with all the vigor and ferocity you can only expect to see from a motley show and they would keep that energy throughout the entire experience. Vince Neil’s singing was on point, no I mean it he killed it! the last time I saw Motley Crue was with KISS a decade ago and he easily sang twice as good, Nikki and Tommy owned the stage in their normal dynamic fashion and did not disappoint, but then again do they ever. As an avid crue head I was saddened when I heard the news of Mick Mars no longer brandishing his frankenaxe with his band of brothers and couldn’t imagine anyone taking his place and still can’t, unless that person is John 5 of course, what started as excitement to see a musician I also admire ended with me realizing he is a perfect fit for Motley. Musical prowess aside you can tell the band click the way that all good bands do the chemistry on stage was astounding and breathed a new light and energy to the stage. All this combined with an amazing stage show and the bad habits stellar performance I couldn’t find a single thing lacking, the giant explosion at the end of the set definitely fucking wasn’t and my ears are still ringing.
A short intermission commences as the crowds all shamble to the bars and facilities as I sit and ponder to myself, “holy shit! How will Def Leppard come on after that?” it would become very apparent how in the minutes to come.
Like two sides to the coin with motley being this brash rollercoaster ride of a rock show Def Leppard take the stage with a sound so crisp and polished you would think it had been mastered. The singing, harmonies and musicianship was astounding, I was literally taken back as I forgot they aren’t all 21, not a single note was out of place, dare I say flawless. It’s easy to forget how many def leppard songs you know until you have found yourself singing every word to every song for the last 90 minutes and I haven’t stopped singing them since. Vivian Campbell and Phil Collen traded guitar solos and riffs like a medieval game of pong all while singing harmonies with Rick Savage that most musicians only dream of being able to achieve, all while Rick Allen sits upon the drum throne holding it all together with a huge smile on his face. The band even pulled out some songs from the newest album Diamond Star Halo’s proving that a good song is a good song and even though the crowd probably didn’t know the songs as well as the oldies, as I looked around the crowd was still putty in their hands, myself included.
All in all I haven’t stopped smiling yet and I don’t feel like I will for a long while, a show that needs to be seen to be believed and I know one thing’s for sure I will not miss the next one.
