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Motley Crüe live
24 September 2011, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne.
In 2011 Motley Crüe are celebrating their 30 years as a band with a world tour, which hit Melbourne on Saturday September 24.
Support act Doc Neeson kicked off the night with an entertaining set including crowd participation for the favourite "Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?"
The Bret Michaels Band were next, although it still confuses me that the whole of Poison had just finished the American leg of the Motley Crüe world tour, but only Bret Michaels came to Australia. Bret did a commendable job, since he was recovering from laryngitis. The coarseness in his voice was more prominent when he spoke, compared to when he sang.
After 25 years performing he still has the ability to draw an enthusiastic crowd and perform well. It was amusing that while there were no costume changes Bret did wear an array of different bandanas and hats throughout the set, not to mention the scarves draped over the microphone stand and maracas.
The crowd were in a state of surprise and excitement for the headlining act. Pyrotechnics provided a loud bang, which got adrenaline rushing through the veins. The curtain dropped and Motley Crüe were revealed. Mick Mars, Vince Neil, Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx were back on Aussie shores, perhaps for the last time as a band, with the eldest member at 60 years of age and the youngest at 49.
Motley Crüe fans have the utmost respect for guitarist Mick Mars. Living with ankylosing spondylitis since he was 17, Mick still manages to perform phenomenally. I felt honoured when he made the effort to come and play in front of those of us on the left-hand side of the stage. Although he looked frail and thin, he still managed to play the strong, powerful lead and rhythm guitar that he will be remembered for for a long time.
Vince Neil didn't disappoint. Although his vocals aren't as coherent as they once were he still managed to provide quality entertainment and it didn't really matter because the crowd had his back. An amusing part of the night took place during the middle of the song "Don't Go Away Mad", when Vince incorporated the explicit version of Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" into the track.
Sydney and Melbourne were treated to Tommy Lee's 360-degree rollercoaster drum set, in which his entire kit was mounted on a rollercoaster track that sent his kit for a loop-the-loop during the drum solo.
Nikki Sixx was cheeky and playful, his punchy bass lines the same as always. Nikki likes to take people out of their comfort zones by doing things like spitting fake blood over the audience or, if you were lucky enough to be front row (or close to) drenching the audience in fake blood by the bucketload at the end.
The band did a fantastic job. They played the fan-chosen set list that they toured with in the States, basically greatest hits. It would have been nice, though, to hear some songs that are not heard live often, like "Rattlesnake Shake".
However it was a quality show, lots of fun and let's face it, you either love them or you hate them.
3.5 stars
Reviews written by Nuhtaya
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