Velvet Revolver concert review May 20, 2007
Ok, I pulled an Axl Rose on this review, delivering it about a week late. So without further ado, the Velvet Revolver review from the WMMR-B-Q.
After sneaking into the pit, thanks in part to my superb ninja skills and the lack of concern of the 17 yr old National Event Staffer, I prepared myself for one glorious punch in the face. After an impossibly long wait of 40 minutes, the house lights finally dimmed and the PA announcer came on. "You wanted the best and you got us. From Hollywood, California, Velvet Revolver"
The band storms the stage and starts out, somewhat uncharacteristically, with Let It Roll. This is a song off the new album Libertad. The crowd didn't really know it, but it didn't seem to matter. The pit had great energy and accepted Velvet Revolver as their lords and saviors.
Slash came running out and busted to the front of the stage wearing his signature top hat and a Borgata babes ripped shirt. Scott slithered to the front of the stage wearing black, tight pants, two belts (one white studded, one black studded, his captain hat, and a shirt and vest. The shirt and vest only lasted three songs until it was removed.
The band then roared into Do It For the Kids. Dave had great energy on this song with his bouncing swagger. He usually only moves his knees up and down and headbangs to the song, but this time he jumped on the amps and taunted the pit to get up and move. Duff and Matt sounded a bit loose, but it didn't matter. This was rock n roll and it's meant to be sloppy and rough. Just like sex.
They played six new songs which all translated well live. The only one I truly enjoyed was She Builds Quick Machines. This may be because I have actually heard it before. It received the second biggest fan reaction.
When they played Fall to Pieces, it turned the place into a high school prom. I agree it is a great song and helps slow the pace of the concert down, but douche-suckers in the pit don't need to slow dance with their date during the song. (Yes, this really happened...and yes I kidney punched the girl. Why the girl? Because I am a coward)
The set concluded with a great cover of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here. Slash came out with the double neck guitar (6 and 12 string) and played the opening cords of the song. This received the biggest reaction from the 18k+ people in attendance. I saw Velvet Revolver do the song acoustic in Scranton and enjoyed that a bit more...but I am splitting hairs.
A picture of the setlist can be found below. It contains the stage directions for Dave. Note: The band verbally wanted to do a 90 minute set, but pulled it short at 75 minutes. Since this was a radio show, they were only contractually obligated to play 75 minutes. The band had planned on one more Stone Temple Pilots song, one more Guns N' Roses song, and one more cover (Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads). Due to time constraints, we sadly missed this. However, the band is going to do an end of summer tour with Alice In Chains. This means full sets. (Click the set list to be directed to that article)
After sneaking into the pit, thanks in part to my superb ninja skills and the lack of concern of the 17 yr old National Event Staffer, I prepared myself for one glorious punch in the face. After an impossibly long wait of 40 minutes, the house lights finally dimmed and the PA announcer came on. "You wanted the best and you got us. From Hollywood, California, Velvet Revolver"
The band storms the stage and starts out, somewhat uncharacteristically, with Let It Roll. This is a song off the new album Libertad. The crowd didn't really know it, but it didn't seem to matter. The pit had great energy and accepted Velvet Revolver as their lords and saviors.
Slash came running out and busted to the front of the stage wearing his signature top hat and a Borgata babes ripped shirt. Scott slithered to the front of the stage wearing black, tight pants, two belts (one white studded, one black studded, his captain hat, and a shirt and vest. The shirt and vest only lasted three songs until it was removed.
The band then roared into Do It For the Kids. Dave had great energy on this song with his bouncing swagger. He usually only moves his knees up and down and headbangs to the song, but this time he jumped on the amps and taunted the pit to get up and move. Duff and Matt sounded a bit loose, but it didn't matter. This was rock n roll and it's meant to be sloppy and rough. Just like sex.
They played six new songs which all translated well live. The only one I truly enjoyed was She Builds Quick Machines. This may be because I have actually heard it before. It received the second biggest fan reaction.
When they played Fall to Pieces, it turned the place into a high school prom. I agree it is a great song and helps slow the pace of the concert down, but douche-suckers in the pit don't need to slow dance with their date during the song. (Yes, this really happened...and yes I kidney punched the girl. Why the girl? Because I am a coward)
The set concluded with a great cover of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here. Slash came out with the double neck guitar (6 and 12 string) and played the opening cords of the song. This received the biggest reaction from the 18k+ people in attendance. I saw Velvet Revolver do the song acoustic in Scranton and enjoyed that a bit more...but I am splitting hairs.
A picture of the setlist can be found below. It contains the stage directions for Dave. Note: The band verbally wanted to do a 90 minute set, but pulled it short at 75 minutes. Since this was a radio show, they were only contractually obligated to play 75 minutes. The band had planned on one more Stone Temple Pilots song, one more Guns N' Roses song, and one more cover (Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads). Due to time constraints, we sadly missed this. However, the band is going to do an end of summer tour with Alice In Chains. This means full sets. (Click the set list to be directed to that article)
Awesome! I look forward to seeing them live in October, for the second time!
Rock on!