Events and Reports - Skanderborg Festival 2006 - Toto and Motörhead live at the Skanderborg festival, Denmark - August 2006
Written by Michael

This year Denmark's most beautiful festival had a rocking line-up with Darkness as the absolute headliner. Other great rock acts were Motörhead, local heroes Pretty Maids, D-A-D and the up-coming Danish band Volbeat, which made this a very anticipated festival for the Rock fan.

Personally I was much excited about Darkness' concert, but disaster happened less than 40 hours before the scheduled performance. The band cancelled their appearance with the very doubtful reason that frontman Justin Hawkins was recommended to rest by his doctor. Hmm - all of Darkness´ equipment was actually already at the festival. The cancellation was a MEGA bummer and I was so disappointed since it totally ruined day one of the 4-day festival.


Toto

The first band to look forward to was slick rockers Toto. Just as the band entered the stage rain started to pour down and continued for the rest of the festival.

The band opened with Falling in Between and King of the World from their latest album "Falling in Between". The band has always had a big following in this country and despite the rain - a huge crowd gathered in front of the stage.

Toto knew that the audience primarily came to hear the hits and the loudest response came when the band kicked into Pamela as third song.

Guitarist Steve Lukather acted as the band leader and he was in a great mood. Several times he took the microphone and after presenting the band in a very entertaining fashion he said "Gimme me a mic and I turn into a jerk".

By the looks of singer Joseph Williams he really gave it a 100 percent. His facial expression was best compared to a man who had not been on the toilet for several days. However, despite his visual effort his voice wasn't really heard when the massive backing vocals kicked in.

Lead vocalist Williams was spared several times - Steve Lukather sang a few songs and rhythm guitarist Tony Spinner also sang the mega hit Stop Loving You. I have never been a massive fan of Toto because they are a bit polished, but I really enjoyed this show and one has to recognize that they wrote lots of hits. We got them all - who hasn't been humming either Hold the Line, Stop Loving You, I'll Be Over You, Rosanna and Africa sometime in their life?

The band was competent with Mike Pocaro on the bass and the brilliant drummer Simon Phillips as the solid rhythm section

Despite the weather being really crappy Toto managed to connect with the audience and overall a very enjoyable show from Toto, which I gladly would go see again.

Toto setlist:

Falling in Between
King of the World
Pamela
Bottom of Your Soul
Caught in the Balance
Make Believe
Hold the Line
Stop Loving You
I'll Be Over You
Cruel
Rosanna
Girl Goodbye
Africa


Motörhead

Friday evening and finally there was a pause in the constant rain. Darkness settled on the festival (he he, get it?) and Lemmy, Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee entered the stage ready to tear it up.

Motörhead used the first couple of songs as "warm up". The first songs were a couple of recent songs like Killers from their last album "Inferno" mixed with classics like Love me Like a Reptile and Metropolis.

The band once released an album called "Everything louder that everyone else" and after a handful of songs Lemmy asked us if we wanted it turned up and a big massive "YEAH" was returned. Lemmy told us that we were brave and the sound man certainly turned it up afterwards. Actually it was so loud that I couldn't hear anything on my right ear for weeks and had to go see a doctor.



This was Motörhead´s last summer show and the 3 guys were in a great mood with Phil Campbell constantly signalling to people to get on their feet. Somehow it wasn't till No Class that the well oiled Rock N' roll machine Motörhead was in full speed. But from then on there was no turning back even though the excited audience threw a beer at Lemmy a few times. Third time Lemmy got hit by remains of a beer he just shook his head and dedicated Just cause you got the power Doesn't mean you have the right to the over-excited few that threw the beer.

Dancing on your grave was once again played from "Another Perfect Day", and the song has manifested itself as one of the strongest in the live set even though the album was hated by the critics.

Mikkey Dee got to play a drum solo on Sacrifice and since I have been to 3 Motörhead shows in 3 years it was the same old. and that's not necessarily a bad thing when it's Motörhead.

R.A.M.O.N.E.S. was dedicated to Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy.

Everyone who ever been to a Motörhead show knows that the grand finale is amazing. The songs that made up the grand finale were:

Going to brazil
Killed by death
Ace of spades
Overkill

Killed by Death has got to be the ultimate Motörhead song and Ace of Spades satisfied the festival crowd that didn't knew Motörhead except for this song. Going to Brazil is one of my personal live favorite, since it has so much energy and it's a fun song, which sounds like Chuck Berry on speed.

The show was very basic with no fireworks and unfortunately Motörhead didn't bring the lightning rig for the Bomber.

This was the last leg of the "Inferno" tour and funny enough Motörhead already has released a new album and is about to tour again this winter. These guys live and breathe Rock N´ Roll.

It's amazing what full sound 3 guys can make and how tight the band sounds. The concert was loud, honest and in-your face Rock N' Roll when it's most authentic and best.


Skanderborg festival wrap up

D-A-D has become a national band and everyones darlings from the school kids to the middle aged man. Once called Disneyland After Dark they landed a deal with Warner Bros. deal in 1989 and that year I remember seeing them perform a fanatic show in support of their best album "No Fuel left for the Pilgrims".

The band had the honor of closing Saturday night and it was the same old gimmicks. The setlist was primarily the same old as well, but the song order didn't mange to create climax. Making Fun of Money and Hate to say I told You so made their way to the setlist and since they both are average songs, they didn't do any good to the setlist.

Everything D-A-D does is embraced by the crowd. They could fart in a microphone and 50 percent of the crowd would say it was the best fart they ever heard. When D-A-D released "Scare Yourself" I saw them playing a convincing and very energetic show. This evening the band seemed tired and uninspired


Pretty Maids delivered one of their best shows I have seen in years. Read Steen´s concert review.


The up-coming Danish band Volbeat was okay. The band has made a buzz in the media and therefore it was a bit disappointing that the band sounded exactly like Danzig/Misfits with very little personal identity.


Saturday at 2 in the morning Decco's Party band played a refreshing mix of Country and Hard Rock covers. The band consisted of some of Denmark greatest musicians like Kasper Damgaard (Mike Tramp) on guitar and had 2 splendid drummers; Bjarne Holm (Fate/Mercyful Fate) and Michael Fast (ex. Pretty Maids.)


Overall this was a festival that will be remembered for the massive rain and the cancellation of Darkness. Toto and Motörhead both saved the day with good performances.



Click pictures for a bigger version


Toto




Toto




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Motörhead




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All pictures taken by Steen
Written by Michael
Tuesday, October 3, 2006



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