02.08.2018 Vince Neil

Wacken Open Air XXIX

Wacken (Germany)

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

Mötley Crue is unfortunately history but the former front man Vince Neil did not yet want to retire. And so, he honored the holy Wacken ground with a best-of Mötley Crüe show in which he really performed all great hits of the bad without exception. But in the beginning he kept ones waiting for some time as first only the AC/DC classic “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)” boomed out of the loudspeaker followed by the Pulp Fiction Intro before Vince Neil finally entered the stage.
Directly the first song was of the equally named most successful album of the band out of the year 1989 “Dr. Feelgood”. Neil, meanwhile a little bit more corpulent compared to then, could throughout convince. With the tracks he chose there was not much that could have gone wrong as songs like “Home Sweet Home” or “Girls, Girls, Girls” of the equally named album everyone at the audience was able to chant along. In the background you could see the banner of his “Tattoos & Tequila” tour and with him were his long-lasting companions Jeff Blando on guitar, Dana Strum on bass and Zoltan Chaney on drums. Of course, related to the lyrics the female component may not be missing. This was taken over by his wife in a tight outfit who either was taking some pictures or exchanged the guitar of her husband in front of a song.
In my opinion it was a great gig catapulting one back into the glory Mötley Crüe times. There were really all great hits performed and there was no one at the audience not singing loudly along and partying. But you also have to consider it as what it was: a Mötley Crüe cover band with original singer that were reviving once again the good old times. Vince Neil solo is in my point of view however unfortunately not as good as he was during this gig.