Let's Get Rocked!!!!!
Okay, so they didn't do LGR but it's all good people! Chrissy and I had a totally awesome day. We got to Riverbend a little after one just to hang out and the buses pulled in just after we did. We followed them from the front parking lot back to the gate just to give them a big welcome and then a kind soul told us where we could go to get a bit closer and watch as the band left the buses. We ended up sitting there for several hours, watching the comings and goings and chatting with Ricardo the gate security guy. Very cool dude! We shouted hello at Vivian as he left the bus at one point and we also shouted and waved at Tommy Shaw as he was beside his bus. We chatted with Mark and Mike for quite a bit as they were wandering around, checking out the venue and we got to hear soundcheck.
We got rained on a bit as we entered the venue but the sun quickly came out again. Styx went on first and as Wil Weaton would say "It was total hawesomeness"! I've always loved Styx and though I miss Dennis DeYoung it didn't take away from the show. Tommy and JY and the rest of the band are very high energy and put on a heck of a show. During Foreigner's set, we went out on the lawn for some smokes since neither Chrissy or I are into them.
Now for Lep! First of all, let me say that I haven't been too enthused about this tour. I will always see Lep when they play close to me, I just wasn't looking forward to the same old set list. Ha! What a ride!
They opened with Rocket for starters, and while I'm not good at remembering the whole setlist, they did do Excitable, Mirror Mirror, Another Hit and Run, and Switch 625. They did a bit of an acoustic set, Two Steps Behind and the beginning of Bringing on the Heartbreak. They also changd the arrangements of a couple of the songs and added some vocal effects to others. This not your average Vault setlist people! It was fresh sounding and exciting.
As has been rumored, the stage now includes a catwalk (that THRUSTS into the crowd!) that they made good use of. Somebody will probably slap me for this, but I don't think I even looked at the video screen. Too busy looking at the band I guess! Rick's drumkit was way up on a platform like last tour, but I think it's even higher this time. The stage is huge and they used every inch of it. I think they should call this tour "The Bigger, Bolder, Louder Tour"!
The band looked great. Everyone seemed to be in fine shape and more than ready to entertain the fans. Joe looked fit and was his usual flirty self, He spent a lot of time on the catwalk. Sometime during the show it started raining, and then actually storming. During Bringing on the Heartbreak, Joe was at the end of the catwalk when there was this huge flash of lightning. He barely missed a beat but he he jumped nearly a foot in the air from the surprise. I guess you had to be there but it was funny, really funny.
We couldn't see much of Vivian or Rick from where we were but when we did see them they were smiling and seemed to be having a blast. Rick had this t-shirt on that ha a vest printed on it. I thought it was cool, I don't think Chrissy was impressed.
Sav looked great and kept a close eye on the crowd during the obscure stuff. If you want it to stay in the set, sing, scream and jump up and down people! They are paying attention and we need to let them know that we WANT TO HEAR THE OLDER STUFF TOO! Sav saw us singing during Excitable and had a nice satisfied smile on his face. While he was on the catwak, Chrissy blew him a kiss and she was rewarded with a cute little flick of his tongue.
Phil was looking good as usual. He actually kept his shirt on almost half the show! Is that some kind of record? Before the acoustic set he came out sans shirt, with a camo hat on, backwards. Poor dude got confused, Chrissy told him she liked it and I told him to ditch it! When I told him I didn't like it he gave me this "aww shucks" sort of look. Sorry Phil!
They ended with Rock of Ages and as the house lights came up, we could see just how hard it was raining. When we got out from under the roof we were instantly soaked, it was like walking into Niagara Falls. Thank goodness Chrissy had the foresight to bring a couple of extra shirts so at least our top halves got a little dry afte we got to the car. 2+ hours later, when we got home, I could still wring water out of my pants.
Joe Columbus 07-08-07
