There is a little know and rarely discussed law in economics. Called the Melodic Rock Multiplier, it states that when financial markets tank, AOR ascends. Its workings are easily explained. How to overcome a credit crisis? Don’t stop believing. How to survive unemployment? Take a midnight train going anywhere. If ever there was a double bill to banish IMF and ECB woes then this is it.
Foreigner hit the stage with ‘Double Vision’ and stick the first quarter in the jukebox of rock radio standards. And the hits keep coming soft and fast. ‘Cold As Ice’ is all slick promo, great product presentation and optimum customer service.
There was so much cheese on show that this reviewer is now lactose intolerant. The soaring ‘Feels Like The First Time’ and the sax-appeal drive of ‘It’s Urgent’ are all big-hair-meets-mullet-fumblings at the local disco.
The whole performance takes you to a place where Michael J. Fox is still time-travelling, TAB is the popular drink of choice and leg warmers had a purpose.
But, all that said, if you ain’t smiling at the end, well - you gotta check for a pulse. The set finishes with ‘Hot Blooded’ and an encore of ‘Jukebox Hero’ and it’s job done. PT Barnum approved!
And then the headliners led by the elastic and energetic Arnel Pineda bounce onto the stage to the thump of ‘Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)’. Quickly followed by the tinkly-keyboard-opening-into-the-soaring-chorus of ‘Forever Young’ the tone is set. Proving that this is not merely an exercise in heritage-greatest-hits-nostalgia for the bearded and bald, new track ‘Edge Of The Moment’, from current release Eclipse, is a somewhat heavier affair but one that sits comfortably alongside the weighty back catalogue. The structural support of the venue is tested as the crowd bounces to their collective feet for ‘Ask The Lonely’ - Steve who?
The centre of the set stops by the ballad bar. ‘Tantra’ skirts Disney territory and ‘Open Arms’ unleashes a tsunami of tears and a flood of first-wedding-dance memories. And once the hit stable door is unbolted the thoroughbreds gallop forth. ‘Wheel In The Sky’, ‘Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’’ and then the elephant in the arena. Yep, that song. Oh the Glee with which it’s greeted. And despite being an overplayed irritant it manages to sound strangley fresh, such is the belief with which it’s played. An encore of ‘Anyway You Want It’ sends masses of confetti spilling from the ceiling and the happy masses spilling from the venue elated and smiling. A sweet one night affair with no recriminations as ‘we touched and went our separate ways’.