Epic beyond all proportions!
Mad March is on in earnest with that much going in Adelaide that if you stop for too long you’re likely to miss something. The action maybe have been trackside during the day with the V8’s tearing around the street circuit of Adelaide, but the focus post race turned to concert headliners Kiss and Motley Crue to bring the event to an end.
Clipsal organisers did a stellar job not only securing these two great acts but accommodating the staging whilst the car race was on among other things, making for one hell of an event not to be missed! For the first time in Clipsal history the final race day sold out with 95,000 through the gates, and you would have to say that Kiss played a significant part in that. Here’s hoping that organisers consider massive drawcards in the future to ensure this great race stays in Adelaide.
Mad March is on in earnest with that much going in Adelaide that if you stop for too long you’re likely to miss something. The action maybe have been trackside during the day with the V8’s tearing around the street circuit of Adelaide, but the focus post race turned to concert headliners Kiss and Motley Crue to bring the event to an end.
Clipsal organisers did a stellar job not only securing these two great acts but accommodating the staging whilst the car race was on among other things, making for one hell of an event not to be missed! For the first time in Clipsal history the final race day sold out with 95,000 through the gates, and you would have to say that Kiss played a significant part in that. Here’s hoping that organisers consider massive drawcards in the future to ensure this great race stays in Adelaide.
Two local bands kicked off proceedings by way of The Beards and Before The Aftermath who no doubt would have been a tad daunted when they looked out and saw a sea of black Kiss t-shirts. Still, kudos and respect to both bands who no doubt benefited from playing to a massive crowd.
Motley Crue’s set had everything from fire cannons, dancing girls, giant visual screens and Tommy’s 360 degree drum kit which was a site to behold. Making their way to the stage via the d-barrier it didn’t take long for the Crue to hit full throttle with Wild Side. Shout At The Devil was absolutely rockin’ but there are some question marks about if the dancing girls can actually sing and dance at the same time. This tends to get overlooked when they belt out the likes of Same Old Situation and Home Sweet Home.
Tommy Lee’s drum set up was awesome and the first time it has been brought to Adelaide. The huge circle turns in to a roller coaster in some ways. Strapped in of course, it was unreal seeing Tommy upside down and a significant distance off the ground, playing a drum solo loaded with dub step influences. Mick Mars never looks to be in good health but god damn he plays a mean guitar and is awesome to watch! The necessary staples Dr Feelgood, Girls Girls Girls and Kick Start My Heart bring their set to an explosive and rocking end.
Motley Crue’s set had everything from fire cannons, dancing girls, giant visual screens and Tommy’s 360 degree drum kit which was a site to behold. Making their way to the stage via the d-barrier it didn’t take long for the Crue to hit full throttle with Wild Side. Shout At The Devil was absolutely rockin’ but there are some question marks about if the dancing girls can actually sing and dance at the same time. This tends to get overlooked when they belt out the likes of Same Old Situation and Home Sweet Home.
Tommy Lee’s drum set up was awesome and the first time it has been brought to Adelaide. The huge circle turns in to a roller coaster in some ways. Strapped in of course, it was unreal seeing Tommy upside down and a significant distance off the ground, playing a drum solo loaded with dub step influences. Mick Mars never looks to be in good health but god damn he plays a mean guitar and is awesome to watch! The necessary staples Dr Feelgood, Girls Girls Girls and Kick Start My Heart bring their set to an explosive and rocking end.
With a short break to retool and gear up for Kiss there was a sense of excitement in the build up amongst the drunken stupor, restlessness and the occasional fight. Once the lights fell, a voice booms out "ALRIGHT ADELAIDE - YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT THE BEST! THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD - KISS!" Massive applause and screams follow with the band entering from a flying stage and opening with classic Detroit Rock City off the Destroyer album. It was a real treasure trove of greatness as Kiss weaved their way through the back catalogue with greats like Shout It Out Load, Calling Dr Love and Firehouse, which lead into I Love It Loud, impressing the masses.
The “true” fans in the “Hot Zone” were going off but the crowd reaction around the arena seemed a little meek – c’mon people make some noise! New album hits were dynamite, particularly Hell Or Hallelujah. But when Tommy Thayer does the lead on Out Of The World and the great man Gene Simmons takes the bass to another level spitting blood all over the stage while flung to the top of the lighting rig to do God Of Thunder… Whoa!
The “true” fans in the “Hot Zone” were going off but the crowd reaction around the arena seemed a little meek – c’mon people make some noise! New album hits were dynamite, particularly Hell Or Hallelujah. But when Tommy Thayer does the lead on Out Of The World and the great man Gene Simmons takes the bass to another level spitting blood all over the stage while flung to the top of the lighting rig to do God Of Thunder… Whoa!
Shandi, big hit in Australia, was played acoustically by Paul Stanley during which a fire started in the lighting rig prompting the segway to The Doors Light My Fire. Crazy Nights was awesome and a real treat for fans as that one doesn’t get played often. Love Gun was great and saw Stanley fly over the crowd to play on the roof of the mixing tower. Drummer Eric Singer takes the vocals on Black Diamond with a dash of Stairway To Heaven thrown in. More explosions followed with the band taking a short break before the encore.
Returning for an encore it was Lick It Up that got things going. Hearing The Who’s ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ mixed in there was great. The last two songs were epic with I Was Made For Loving You and Rock & Roll All Nite bringing things to a close. Spectacular! Confetti cannons being fired at will was just tops reaffirming the opening statement that we definitely got the best!!
Review by Rob Lyon
Photos by Melissa Donato. Seee the full gallery here
Returning for an encore it was Lick It Up that got things going. Hearing The Who’s ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ mixed in there was great. The last two songs were epic with I Was Made For Loving You and Rock & Roll All Nite bringing things to a close. Spectacular! Confetti cannons being fired at will was just tops reaffirming the opening statement that we definitely got the best!!
Review by Rob Lyon
Photos by Melissa Donato. Seee the full gallery here
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