Collateral - Stadium Rock first on in London

October 24th 2022

London, Kentish Town, o2 Forum, UK

****

One for the ladies!!!

Collateral **** where a band we really wanted to check out, and we almost missed their set supporting Skid Row. Because the doors opened a little late, and took some time to get in. So we just got in as they were breaking into their first song 'Lullaby', but we did instantly see... why everyone wanted to be in the venue on time. Because Collateral are a great Rock band, with real attitude but at the same time keeping a commercial edge. I have to admit I don't know their material as well as I should do, but I had listened to 'Mr. Big Shot' and 'Midnight Queen' a few times. Lucky for me they played both of these songs, and they sounde equally if not better live... as they did on the recordings I had heard.

I also could see why the ladies like them so much, they have pretty boy looks and are a little clean cut. I think there is a lot of girls in the audience that want to take them down to 'Sin in the City', well they are in the city and their next single is actually called 'Sin in the City'. And this track could possible be their best yet, so they are a band that is moving forward. They have great musicianship, and a connect well together... they also don't mind taking the temp up and down.

Which I think this is a good thing, not every song sounds the same... like what is happening with some bands these days. They make good use of the short time frame they have, to impress and grab in new fans. With Rock 'n' Roll stances, and some nice guitar licks and solo's. They fit so nicely on tonights bill, which features headliners Skid Row, Enuff Z'Nuff and The Treatment. They are also not afraid to bring out an acoustic guitar, I think maybe this is a big thing to do in Kent at the moment. Or maybe they got this habit from supporting Jon Bon Jovi on his 'Runaway to Paradise' mediterranean cruise. But I think it works nicely on tracks like 'Midnight Queen', which is more mellow and has that old school vibe.

I think Angelo Tristan might have won a few hearts when he did this, because they are really a band your Mrs is going to love. Not to say I didn't enjoy their set, but I think they appeal more to a female fanbase (and that is not a bad thing). So did Poison, Bon Jovi and Def Leppard, and look how far they went. And even mid 90's Aerosmith, this is the stadium Rock sound at it's best with a touch of Blues. And your seeing it from a band going on first, at the London, Kentish Town, o2 Forum. On a four band bill, talk about great value for money. I think Collateral will go places, but maybe not so much in the UK... I hear their already making waves in Australia (Home of AC/DC, Silverchair and Savage Garden).