A band without its frontman and a frontman without his band: what an interesting night this promised to be.
Following an impressive performance by local troupe Vengeance & The Panther Queen, the Thin Lizzy logo was revealed to usher in a set from the rebooted 2012 model, who blasted through a blistering bevy of Live & Dangerous-era classics. From the outset, the chemistry and power of the performance was monumental, leaving no-one in any doubt that this incarnation of the group is the most powerful since the days of Phil. Ricky Warwick’s humility as a fan, stage presence as a seasoned frontman and simpatico as a musician of the Celtic cowboy hue is the magic dust on the current combo.
Arriving on stage to Massive Attack’s ‘Splitting The Atom’ an hour or so late (immaterial considering last year’s behaviour!) Axl & Co. open a three-hour stellar set of classics with ‘Chinese Democracy’.
Despite his recent leg injury, the frontman manages six costume changes and appears in top form and fine voice throughout. Along with GN’R staples such as ‘Welcome To The Jungle’, ‘Civil War’, ‘November Rain’ and ‘Nighttrain’ the band blitz through a smattering of covers, including ‘Another Brick In The Wall’, ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’, ‘Baba O’Riley’ and the ‘Pink Panther Theme’.
Guitarists Richard Fortus and DJ Ashba wage a merciless sonic assault, with some mighty rock riffage on display, the latter’s solo on ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ receiving a particularly warm response.
A rousing ‘Paradise City’ brings proceedings to a close, and Mr. Rose departs with the words; “Thanks for coming out, thanks for putting up with my lame ass, and thanks for not throwing shit.”