Concert Report by Peter Mondria
MSG at Podium, Hardenberg, The Netherlands
May 14, 2006
Added on 05/15/2006


MSG at Podium, Hardenberg/ The Netherlands 14-05-2006

I just arrived back from the first MSG gig in Holland.

I went into the livingroom and write my Hardenberg review while I'm watching the MSG Underground/Koln show on Rockpalast/WDR television.... It couldn't been any better.

OK let's talk about my experience last night. The venue was pretty full, although it wasn't packed. The opening band was Nikki Puppet. A good performance but not really a musical surprise in a way. They did a 45 minute set.

About 30 minutes later, after a quick set transition and soundcheck Michael came out on stage first. He was wearing a 'MSG-tour jacket' and a 'Schenker Brothers V shirt' underneath it, combined with black leather pants and short boots. The other guys took to their respective instruments, and kicked in with Assault Attack. The second song was 'Ready To Rock'. Next a quick trip back in time for 'Let It Roll' and then back to 'Dust To Dust' from the latest album 'Tales Of Rock n Roll'. Without any break, they started playing 'Love Trade' and next 'Shadow Lady'. The audience seems not so interested during the first songs.

Michael was in a very good shape as was reported by the other reviews. He looked up and checked out the crowd more than once. He waved, bowed and smiled numerous times too. Never seen this before. He really looked better than I have seen him in years! His playing was very fine. All the solos were played with precision. It was during those moments that the axeman really blew us all away. I was standing right in front of him, so I could see clearly his fingers touching the strings and emotional expressions on his face. The set-list was a nice mix between old and new material -meaning lots of the old MSG/UFO stuff and little of the new -

Their songs from the early 80's and classic UFO songs are what really makes the audience happy, in view of the fact their good and loud respond. The band worked very fine together, their playing was energetic and sharp. The guys enjoyed themselves visible which was a good thing. The set list was, as mentioned, very straightforward, containing basically no surprises and the fans seemed happy with the unoriginal, but entertaining, set list. Personal I enjoyed 'But I want More' and 'On And On' the most.

Rev plays his new Dean Pace electric upright bass, he had a great stage presence as always. Wayne did a very good job throughout the evening and his solo on Arachnophobiac is superb. This one blew me away simply because of the sturdiness of his playing. I've also got to give credit to the new singer, Jari. It's hard to perform all those old and new stuff .. he's modest but does have stage presence and a strong voice. After the show I talked a few words to Jari and he told me, he got more familiair with the songs throughout the tour.

All in all the Hardenberg show was absolutely incredible. After the gig the maestro did a signing session and most of the bandmembers mingled among the audience posing for pictures and signing autographs. Worth to mention that last comer 'Rock Bottom' was the highlight of the evening. All of the audience were singing and screaming together as loud as possible. Yeah the crowd reaction was phenomenal.

And Michael?c..he played a great show last night!

MSG setlist:

Assault Attack
Are You Ready To Rock
Let It Roll
Dust To Dust
Love Trade
Shadow Lady
Lights Out
Into The Arena
But I Want More
Too Hot To Handle
On and On
Only You Can Rock Me
Attack Of The Mad Axeman
Armed And Ready

Encores:
Arachnophobiac
Doctor Doctor
Rock Bottom



More photos taken by Peter can be found on Mondria's Michael Schenker Website

Peter's Review of the 05/18/2006 Tilburg Show
Peter's Review of the 05/17/2006 Oberhausen Show
Back to "Concert Report Top"

Back to "I Love Michael Schenker" page