31.07.2014 Saxon

Wacken Open Air XXV

Wacken (Germany)

(Pentax K-5 with Sigma AF 70-200mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

This year just like two years ago the British band Saxon was the main act of the evening. Before that you had unfortunately to wait another quarter hour as two wannabe-Copperfields (named Ehrlich Brothers) thought of presenting their magic tricks on the True Metal Stage. In all honest, I really do not know what else the promoters want to present! It was not only me who really disliked this act, many others shouted out loudly “Saxon! Saxon!” and “Stop it!”. Please, please dear promoters: neither Bülent Ceylan or clowns like the Ehrlich Brothers do have no place on such a festival. It is slowly drifting towards some kind of funfair.
Anyhow, finally there was also some music. The guys around front man Biff Byford were really in a good mood when coming onto the stage. Really well suited to the sounds of “Motorcycle Man” Biff drove in proper style with a motobike onto the stage and a crew member who took it over directly made a nice burnout right before the first sounds were heard from the loudspeaker. By that the audience directly was on working temperature and in front of a very simple stage setting they started playing songs from the beginning of their band history (“Sacrifice” of the equally named album excluded).
Classics like “Wheels Of Steel” or “747 (Strangers In The Night)” mesmerize one each time they are played and also the solos of the two guitarists Doug Scarratt and Paul Quinn were just perfect. With “Crusader” of the equally named album the curtain fell and an lush stage setting appeared with huge LED wall in the back and a cathedral looking style. The band was now supported by 4 string players, a concert percussionist as well as a keyboarder. Directly the first two songs already made goose bumps and the modified adaptations really knew to please very well.
The British had in total 90 minutes of time until finally with “Denim & Leather” it was the time for saying goodbye. Again it was a superior and sovereign gig that nearly did not leave anything to be desired. Nearly because unfortunately “Sacrifice” was the only song of newer date. All the other songs were of the first 5 releases of the band. But there you have to admit that this is grumbling on really high level.