Torrential downpours, coupled with threats of thunderstorms might have delayed the show, but certainly did not dampen the spirit of eager Scorpions fans who gathered at the outdoor venue, Budweiser Stage.
The opening acts for the Rock Believer Tour changed 3 fold, starting with the 80s icons Whitesnake dropping the tour, with a statement from David Coverdale; “It is with profound disappointment and a heavy heart that I must announce that Whitesnake will no longer be able to join The Scorpions on their US and Canadian tour due to my continued treatment for a persistent upper respiratory infection that affects my ability to perform”.
Replacing Whitesnake on the North America tour was supposed to be the Swedish band Thundermother. Unfortunately, they were forced to cancel their debut of the North American tour due to a delay in receiving their work visas. Stepping up to the plate was Kitchener’s own JJ Wilde. With the last-minute modification, the media were not permitted to photograph her performance.
All the turmoil didn’t stop the fans in the venue from jumping to their feet once Scorpions hit the stage. The massive stage setup, catwalk, drum riser, exceptional video displays, and lasers stimulated our visual senses. The impeccable musicianship of the Scorpions is just something that doesn’t seem to wean as the band gets older. I’ve seen great bands from days gone by perform and although it’s nostalgic, most bands lack that luster they had in their heyday. That’s not the case for Scorpions.
Klaus Meine’s performance blew me away. He still has such power, and excellent vocal range, and his intonation is above par. There were no cringy moments that sometimes come with older performers. Smiles lit up his face as he engaged with the fans, pointing and acknowledging people in the crowd.
Soon to be 74 years young, physically fit guitarist Rudolf Schenker was jumping, making his way across the massive setup with little effort, all while shredding like a consummate pro, never missing a lick. It’s always a treat to witness him perform.
Scorpions released their 17th studio album Rock Believer earlier this year. According to Meine, it was a Covid inception. The 17-song set started with new material Gas in the tank. Two other songs from their latest release were Peacemakers and Rock Believers. Of course, they played their hits Big City Nights, Wind of Change, and finishing up the evening was Rock You Like a Hurricane.
Winds of Change displayed a peace sign with Ukrainian colors on multiple video screens. The lyrics were slightly altered to reflect the hardships happening overseas. There were moments when Meine simply directed his mic to the crowd and the audio decibels increased tenfold signing the chorus. A huge smile broadened on his still youthful face. I’m gonna guess after so many years, it’s still a surreal moment to experience as an artist.
Halfway through their set guitarist Matthias Jabs made his way up the catwalk to perform Delicate Dance. He may not have been bouncing around like Schenker, but his chops tickling the strings spoke volumes.
New Vision had the backbeat guys, Pawel Maciwoda and drummer Mikkey Dee, displaying their chops. This portion really had me bouncing. I’m partial to a good bass and backbeat and they delivered. Typically I witness people do their drink runs during bass/drum solos, however, this evening people stayed put. After Maciwoda’s incredible performance, Dee took over to encapsulate the venue with a face-melting drum solo. It was one of those moments that I realized he a had a huge smile. The video montage during this time had a slot machine spinning, with images of Lemme. As the solo was coming to an end, the slots hit the jackpot, displaying scorpions across the board.
Scorpions always amaze me with their incredible performance. I’m still in awe of how well they perform. Listening to the crowd post-show, I’m not the only one with such an opinion. The Rock Believer Tour is a MUST-see! Who knows how much longer they will be touring, get out there and check them out!
A special thanks to Live Nation for the accreditation.
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All photos by ©Sue Hebert Sadzak 2022
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