Tonights support comes from Voodoo Johnson playing what is almost certainly their largest ever show, at the sold out Shepherds Bush Empire. Voodoo Johnson are the support for the whole of Europe’s UK tour and have been getting postive responses from both reviewers and audience alike, and tonight appears to be no different with the crowd clearly appreciating their classic rock sound.
Tonights performance by Europe is being filmed for a DVD release, so there are numerous film cameras in evidence, including one in an already overcrowded photo pit. As the time approaches for the band to come on stage the rising excitement in the crowd is clearly evident. The band take to the stage to massive applause and cheers (as well as clouds of smoke on stage) and get the show off to a great start with the title track of the current album – ”Last look at eden”. The band quickly move into ”The beast”, also from the current album, before the third song (which isnt listed on their printed setlists for some reason) gets the crowd whipped up to a frenzy – ”Rock the night”. Tonight’s set is a perfect mix of new and old tracks, all of which go down extremely well with the capacity crowd. Partway through the set, Joey Tempest pays tribute to Gary Moore and the fact that he inspired them to get into music, before John Norum plays ”The loner”, a Gary Moore track, as his guitar solo. This was a really nice tribute. Later in the set we get a drum solo, introduced by some taped Monty Python, and with the 1812 overture to accompany the drums. Tonights set closes with ”Superstitious”, although when the band leave the stage nobody is in any doubt that they’ll do an encore. The encore kicks off with ”Doghouse”, a brand new track before the inevitable show closer – ”The final countdown”. The crowd goes crazy as soon as the first few notes burst out (there arent many songs that people can instantly recognise from just the first few notes). There can be no other song to close a show from Europe, and as well as being a massive hit, it is a perfect singalong feelgood track to close a show with so the crowd leave with big smiles on their faces.
A fantastic performance by an on-form Europe, and with them promising a new album next year, then their current popularity looks set to continue for some time.
Europe photos: http://www.festivalphoto.net/index.php?page=2&concertID=17895
Voodoo Johnson photos: http://www.festivalphoto.net/index.php?page=2&concertID=17913
Europe Setlist:
Last Look At Eden
The Beast
Rock The Night
scream Of Anger
No stone Unturned
Carrie
The Getaway Plan
John Norum guitar Solo – ”The Loner” (Gary Moore cover/tribute)
Seventh Sign
New Love In Town
Love Is Not The Enemy
More Than Meets The Eye
Drum Solo
Always The Pretenders
Start From The Dark
Superstitious
Encore:
Doghouse (new song)
The Final Countdown
Voodoo Johnson setlist
Headstone
Feel karma
Sin
Knowhere
Black skies
Seven years
