With a set liberally sprinkled with fine fare from number one album Like Clockwork, as well as many well-known hits, the rabid audience scream, jump, sing along, crowd-surf and dance their ways through a two-hour rock rollercoaster ride.
Having seen their stock skyrocket in recent years, the band have now made the leap to the arena circuit and tailored their concerts accordingly: each tune has a different lightshow or visual backdrop, making for quite a spectacle. Fever pitch audience reaction is not only reserved for the oldies. New material – ‘I Sat By The Ocean’, ‘Like Clockwork’ and ‘Fairweather Friends’ – also tests the clapometers mettle.
The band are a finely-tuned engine at the heart of which beats the unrelenting drums of new recruit Jon Theodore. He demonstrates Olympian feats of strength and endurance; Dean Fertita’s keyboard contributions are immaculate; Troy Van Leeuwan is the perfect guitar foil to Homme, and skilled bassist Michael Shuman is regaled with a messy, well-meaning ‘Happy Birthday’ from the crowd.
At the centre of it all, Mr. Homme is a most gracious host, thanking us for our enthusiastic response. He transmogrifies from demon rock overlord on heavier numbers to wistful romantic on slower tempo outings.
Gimme some more!
ROISIN DWYER