So last night I went to the Scorpions show with The Michael Schenker Group at the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, IL. I gotta say it was one of the best shows I've been to. I didn't know this before going, but I guess this was the only stop on The Scorpions US tour that had MSG opening, so I felt pretty damn lucky for that.
Anyways, MSG was pretty damn good and had a good set list. Michael's playing and tone was fantastic and his backing band was pretty good too as it also included Carmine Appice on drums. The only problem with the entire set and it's something I'm iffy on with some of the MSG studio material is Gary Barden. I think most of the studio stuff with him is pretty good, but last night he just wasn't all that great. He tried to get the audience involved, but the problem is he tried to involve them too much it seemed, as if he would've rather had the audience sing most of the songs instead of him. Also, when he sang he wouldn't hit every lyric and couldn't get nearly as high as on the studios. It was even harder at times when he was doing the UFO covers. However, the main appeal to MSG has always been Schenker who was fantastic. Below was the setlist:
Armed and Ready
Cry For The Nations
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Are You Ready To Rock?
Into The Arena
Lights Out (UFO cover)
On and On
Doctor Doctor (UFO cover)
Rock Bottom (UFO cover)
Scorpions obviously were next and they were flawless. Fucking loud as hell though.
Considering I've been to Ozzfest and American Carnage Tour this week, and I consider this one of the loudest shows I've ever been to says a lot. Really good setlist. My only complaint of the entire set, beyond no 70s material pre-Animal Magnetism (which I knew would be the case) was that they didn't play "Humanity" or "Hour 1" off of the previous album which definitely did surprise me. However, they made it up by (as expected) having Michael Schenker play with them on stage during "Another Piece of Meat" which was awesome. They also had Carmine Appice join in as the main drummer during "No One Like You". Overall, absolutely fantastic show that I won't be forgetting any time soon and was so glad I was able to go to this. Still weird for them to play at that venue though. Haha. Here is their setlist:
Sting In The Tail
Make It Real
Bad Boys Running Wild
The Zoo
Coast To Coast
Loving You Sunday Morning
The Best Is Yet To Come
Wind Of Change
Holiday
Raised on Rock
Tease Me Please Me
Another Piece of Meat (with Michael Schenker)
Kottack Attack (drum solo)
Blackout
Six String Sting (Guitar Solo-Mathias Jabs)
Big City Nights
Encore:
Still Loving You
No One Like You (With Carmine Appice)
Rock You Like A Hurricane
Anyways, MSG was pretty damn good and had a good set list. Michael's playing and tone was fantastic and his backing band was pretty good too as it also included Carmine Appice on drums. The only problem with the entire set and it's something I'm iffy on with some of the MSG studio material is Gary Barden. I think most of the studio stuff with him is pretty good, but last night he just wasn't all that great. He tried to get the audience involved, but the problem is he tried to involve them too much it seemed, as if he would've rather had the audience sing most of the songs instead of him. Also, when he sang he wouldn't hit every lyric and couldn't get nearly as high as on the studios. It was even harder at times when he was doing the UFO covers. However, the main appeal to MSG has always been Schenker who was fantastic. Below was the setlist:
Armed and Ready
Cry For The Nations
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Are You Ready To Rock?
Into The Arena
Lights Out (UFO cover)
On and On
Doctor Doctor (UFO cover)
Rock Bottom (UFO cover)
Scorpions obviously were next and they were flawless. Fucking loud as hell though.

Sting In The Tail
Make It Real
Bad Boys Running Wild
The Zoo
Coast To Coast
Loving You Sunday Morning
The Best Is Yet To Come
Wind Of Change
Holiday
Raised on Rock
Tease Me Please Me
Another Piece of Meat (with Michael Schenker)
Kottack Attack (drum solo)
Blackout
Six String Sting (Guitar Solo-Mathias Jabs)
Big City Nights
Encore:
Still Loving You
No One Like You (With Carmine Appice)
Rock You Like A Hurricane