Michael Schenker - Sets the Nottingham Rock City a blaze!!!

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'Temple of Rock' cannot be missed!!!

Michael Schenker **** have been privileged to have witnessed Michael’s 'Temple of Rock' Tour on two previous dates in the last couple of years, firstly at High Voltage Festival in 2011, and again last year at Shepherds Bush Empire, but it has to be said, he just goes from strength to strength!. Tonight’s gig at Nottingham Rock City, saw him take to the stage with a growing air of confidence. There’s no taking away from this extremely talented guitarist, but previously he has been accused of not “connecting” with the audience. That couldn’t have been further from the truth tonight. He was beaming from ear to ear as he came on stage, and interacted with the crowd brilliantly.

He seems so comfortable with the current 'Temple of Rock' Lineup of Doogie White, Francis Buchholz, Herman “Ze German” Rarebell and Wayne Findlay. This isn’t a Michael Schenker stand alone concert, the band has become so tight over the last couple of years, the overall sound is truly fantastic. Starting the set with Scorpions classics “Love Drive” & “Another Piece of Meat”, closely followed by MSG favourite 'Armed and Ready', the audience went wild, and really seemed “up for it”! Everyone there was transported into the Michael Schenker World of the Flying V.

His playing is a thing of wonder, and always a pleasure to witness, but seeing him in such a relaxed and loose state, brought his unique sound to a higher level. What followed was a solid one and 3/4 hour set of classic UFO, Scorpions and Schenker solo numbers, broken only shortly to trial a new track from the eagerly anticipated new album 'Bridge the Gap'. Doogie happily shared the spotlight, coaxing the crowd into chorus sing-a-longs, which made for a truly electric atmosphere.

Everyone of course appreciated the Scorpions and MSG hits, but it was UFO's 'Strangers in the Night', the classics always really hit the spot. With plenty of enthusiastic fifty something’s, jumping up and down in their original UFO tour shirts. This proves they are just as capable of “Rockin’ Out” with the younger members of the audience! Highlights were of course 'Only you can Rock Me', 'Shoot, Shoot' and 'Lights Out'.

The first of two encores started with The Scorpions 'Holiday', which was almost entirely sung out loud by the audience, encouraged by the entire band! This was followed by other faves like 'Rock you like a Hurricane' and 'Rock Bottom', but it was the UFO anthem, 'Doctor, Doctor' that almost literally brought the house down, with over zealous fans screaming the words out at the tops of their voices, whilst stamping their feet & punching the air. If tonight proved only one thing, it’d be that there is plenty of mileage left in this 'Temple of Rock' project. Long may it continue!!!

Micheal Schenker - Setlist
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Lovedrive
Another piece of Meat
Assault Attack
Armed and Ready
Into the Arena
Rock my nights Away
Attack of the mad Axeman
Horizons
Before the devil knows you're Dead
Coast to Coast
Shoot, Shoot
Only you can Rock Me
Let it Roll
Too hot to Handle
Lights Out
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Holiday
Rock you like a Hurricane
Rock Bottom
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Blackout
Doctor, Doctor

Review by Helen Westby and Photo's by Jane Smith

Check Out! the trailer for the 'Temple of Rock' live in Europe Below...