03.08.2018 Mr. Big

Wacken Open Air XXIX

Wacken (Germany)

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

Oh my god! There were a lot of youth memories coming back into my mind. At the beginning of the 90s the guys of Mr. Big had reached at least at Germany their highest level of familiarity with the two ballads “Wild World” and “To Be With You” and now they were able for the very first time to prove on the Louder Stage that they were capable of more than only cuddle songs.
Originally they are coming from hard rock and this already since 1989 (with a short break from 2002 until 2009). And not only that, with bassist Billy Sheenan and guitarist Paul Gilbert they have two real virtuosi with them. Although these two do not need the great poses or other show effects. They simply stand quite statically on their positions and worm sounds out of their instruments making one stare at them agape. Wow! Additional, Mr. Big has with singer Eric Martin someone that perfectly fist to their music from vocal point of view.
After the first successes they quite quick vanished into thin air at Europe and were only able to continue having success at Asia. After their reunion in 2009 they were flying more or less under the radar at Europe whereas they did not have to stand for that as the snappy rock songs are very catchy and the crowd in front of the stage was obviously having fun with what was presented on stage. Although they were mainly relying on the first three albums which were the most successful ones as well as on the latest release “Defying Gravity” of which the opener “Open Your Eyes” made it into the setlist.
The four guys from the US showed that they are capable of more than rather just ballads. It was “only” moderate Hard Rock but that cared for at least one very entertaining hour.