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Hi,
First of all, I discovered your web not too long ago, but i think it's great... i've been loving Michael's music for the last 18 years (now I'm
32), and i the last weekend I finally was able to see him alive... (the last time he played near my city i was 16 years old...).
I was in MSG's show in Bergara (27/02/2004), in the sala jam (www.salajam.com). The show was opened by a local band called Ehiztari Beltza
(Black Hunter). Surely it was a great moment for them, cause they use to play a version of "Doctor, doctor" in basque (our native language) (they didn't play it that night). Their concert was correct, but with some sound problems. Anyway, I didn't pay too much attention to their show, i was there to see Michael live for the first time in my life...
MSG appeared at 11:30; just in the first song it was clear for me that it was the best guitar sound that i had ever listen to in a concert.
Clear, bright, strong... perfect! The band was correct, even if their sound could be a bit louder. It was not a problem to me because I was
there to see and listen to Michael.
Michael was ... perfect! He played everithing perfect! He sounded perfect for all the show! I've listened almost all his records, but seeing him alive was incredible. Surely, the best musical experience I've ever had. Even more, he seemed to be quite happy, I talked him for
a moment in the signing set and he was smiling all the time. I'm really happy that his bad times are gone now, and hope that he'll keep on
rocking for a really long, long time... The only pity is that I didn't expect such and incredible concert, so i didn't go to any other of his
show ... the next nearest one was 400 Km away, but now I would do...
Finally, their set was the one they're playing in their european tour (or something really similar, i didn't care about it during
the show):
Are You Ready To Rock
1st encore:
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagur.
Addendum: When asked whether they did songs from the Schugar/Schenker project, Joseba replied "I suppose they didn't. I found that setlist in a forum as Barcelona's one, and it seemed quite similar, but i should have looked at it better... There were some songs (2, i think, but it's also possible to be 3 or 4), in the middle of the show i've never listen to before; one of them was arachnophobiac (i haven't listen to the arachnophobiac cd), and i suppossed that the other ones were from the last album... but i don't know." Thanks again, Joseba!!
I could not believe it but i was there, in my 32nd birthday and just waiting the german mad axeman. I must confess my anxiety and exciment. Nothing but zero centigrade degrees outdoors and at ten doors opened. The snow was falling but there were to be heat in the night.
At half past ten a Basque Country group called Ehiztari Beltza opened for MSG. Crowd do really not paid attention to them except some like me who at least wanted to appreciate their effort, it doesn't match with Schenker music at all though. They played 45 minutes, enough for the majority interest.
Half an hour later the stage was ready, when an enigmatic intro began the show. They played about one hour and thirty five minute, encores included. The complete set list was the following (the order might be wrong):
Are You Ready To Rock
I really haven't words to describe Michael's technique but superb. He plays so precise, so fair, so heavy and subtile, so melodic, so incredible. I really felt fascinated and astonished, like weightless after each song he plays. It was surprising for my friends and I coming across with Rev Jones, what a unique guy. His particular way of moving on stage, making faces and braid whirligig really amused the crowd. Besides, we could notice his high degree technique and remarkable effort in cheering up Michael's fans.
As for Wayne Findlay and Pete Holms they did a good work and were enjoying fans and thenselves all along the show.
The only one who really disappointed me was Chris Logan. Simply he doesn't like me, neither his voice nor his style. In some old tracks he didn't get at the highest notes and fasetto was required.
My marks are: 9/10 for the concert (it could have last a little more), 10/10 Michael Schenker (Just perfect!), 9 Wayne, Rev and Pete and 6/10 for Chris.
After show I bought "Thank u 4" and Michael signed it to me, along with 4 or five cd covers I brought with me and I also got a photo with Him, what else can I ask for? In spite of his fame about getting along with him, Michael was very pleasant, kind and polite with all his fans.
It was hard to get out the venue, it was snowing a lot, the weather was awful and the road was very dangerous and took a lot of time to get back home, even to sleep because of the great emotions.
Mother Mary
Assault Attack
Let It Roll
Fat City N.O.
Lights Out
Beacause I Can
Rock 'n Roll Believer
Arachnophobiac
Victim Of The System
High Cost
Into The Arena
Fatal Strike
Only You Can Rock Me
On And On
Too Hot To Handle
Attack Of The Mad Axeman
Armed And Ready
Doctor Doctor
2st encore:
Rock Bottom
Thank you for your page!
MSG at Sala Jam, Bergara, Spain
February 27, 2004
Mother Mary
Assault Attack
Let It Roll
Fat City
Lights Out
Because I Can
R&R Believer
Aracnophobiac
Into the Arena
Fatal Strike
Only You Can Rock Me
On And On
Too Hot To Handle
Attack Of The Mad Axeman
- Encores:
Armed And Ready
Doctor Doctor
Rock Bottom