The opening act for any band is a daunting position to have but for Heavy Pettin’ it was different as this was their home crowd. Taking to the stage to the sounds of a rapturous welcome from the crowd, the band launched themselves into a 10 song set, the opening number “Get Back To You’ appropriately taken from their 2020 “4 Play” EP.
With the usual panache, and trademark scarf draped around the microphone stand, singer Hamie was quick to remind the crowd of why he and the rest of Heavy Pettin’ were the toast of the mid 80’s with their musical style and instantly catchy lyrics.
Moving through their back catalogue with the standout songs ‘Love Times Love’ and ‘Hell is Beautiful’ keeping the crowd wanting more it was inevitable that the short set would come to a close with ‘In and Out of Love’.
Leaving the stage to a genuinely warm reception it was clear that the crowd would have happily listened too much more from Heavy Pettin’ and hopefully this will reflect well on a headline tour for the band.
Michael Schenker, what is there left to say about the legend who, as part of the Scorpions and UFO brought us so many classic rock tracks, left these bands and forged a carrier for himself as a solo artist. Anyone who is anyone in rock music has probably worked with Schenker at some point . From Chris Glen through Graham Bonnet via Robin McAuley and Doogie White to current vocalist, Ronnie Romero, there is a massive catalogue of famous musicians and singers who have, and in some cases, still work with Schenker.
Tonights gig in Glasgow is the reason for many to see and hear the reason why for themselves and as Schenker takes to the stage with the classic flying V guitar and wearing, as always, a hat, he opens his set with ‘Into The Arena’ which showcases everything you ever needed to know about Michael Schenker as a guitarist.
Filled with amazing riffs, this solo piece is the definitive listening experience and a natural opening track for this gig.
Introducing vocalist Ronnie Romero to the stage, the band make their way through a set comprised of the hits from Schenkers outstanding back catalogue and tracks from newer material including the ‘Universal’ album.
There is even a nod to Romeros namesake, Ronnie James Dio, in the track ‘A King Has Gone’.
A couple of UFO tracks in ‘Doctor Doctor’ and ‘Lights Out’ are smattered throughout the set to remind us of some of the amazing songs that Schenker has had a hand in over the years.
The crowd are here for the solos and they come fast and furious and with a dexterity often missing in guitarists who have being touring the circuit for som many years. There is little doubt that Michael Schenker can still hold his own with the best of them.
It would be remiss not to credit the other musicians on stage with superb guitar and keyboard work from Lionhearts Steve Mann, bass from Barend Coubois and drummer Bodo Schope.
The set reaches the midway point with ‘Armed and Ready’ which takes the crowd to new heights and it is clear that this is already an excellent nights entertainment before the tracks that are yet to come.
As the evening draws towards its conclusion its UFO track after UFO track and finally finishes with ‘Too Hot To Handle’ and ‘Only You Can Rock Me’ before the the crowd make their way into the night and home with huge smiles on their faces.
Photographs and Review by Gavin Ross
