LIVE! | Motley Crue with Poison & New York Dolls
by Deb Rao
Staff Writer
June 18, 2011 at Red Rock Amphitheatre in Las Vegas, NV.
Motley Crue brought the Glam-A Geddon Tour also featuring Poison and The New York Dolls to Red Rock Amphitheatre on June 18 for a sold out performance that bedazzled the 8,800 capacity audience. This was also the first concert in the newly opened Amphitheatre at Red Rock. Everyone in the audience was excited to see the hottest concert bill this summer. When you think of the ’80s, Motley Crue and Poison still remain at the top of their game. Call it retro or old school, both bands still today in 2011 deliver one of the most exciting stage shows from their genre.
Las Vegas is a city known for bringing in top performers from all over the world, and tonight metal’s finest Motley Crue and Poison transpired the amphitheatre into a haven of old school metal fans with an over the top stage show performing hit songs that have survived the test of time.
Brooklyn’s New York Dolls kicked off their punk inspired set with the song “Pills” at 7 P.M, as fans strolled into the venue. Poison, who are celebrating their 25th anniversary hit the stage with a colorful stage set at 8 p.m. Bret Michaels and Poison received a rave response, as the audience stood on their feet as Bret descended onto the main stage from high above the drum rise. Poison performed hit after hit including ”Look What The Cat Dragged In,’ ”Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and ”Fallen Angel.”
I had recently seen Bret perform in Vegas with his solo band in May in which he commented that he was looking forward to the Motley Crue tour. He mentioned a year ago last May, he was lying in the hospital fighting for his life. So happy to see him back on stage and rocking out to every song! Guitarist C.C. Deville was a bundle of energy. Highlight of the set was a song from Poison’s latest CD, the revamped version of the Grand Funk Railroad song,” We’re An American Band.” This song helps define the band Poison. No matter how many times you see them in concert, Poison always puts on an entertaining show. Bret Michaels is 100 percent dedicated to his music and never disapoints.
Poison Set List:
Look What The Cat Dragged In
Ride The Wind
We’re An American band
Your Mama Don’t Dance
Fallen Angel
Unskinny Bop
Drum Solo
Every Rose
Talk Dirty
Nothing But A Good Time
9:30 p.m. and Motley Crue lit up the Vegas skies with a powerful explosion of pyro, flash pods and flamboyant stage set that featured Tommy Lee in a 360 Drum Roller Coaster that lit up the stage pentagram style. Combined with the rhythm section that was completed by a blood spiraling Nikki Sixx, let the debauchery begin. Opening with “Wild Side,” Motley Crue kicked into high gear complete with dancing girls that strolled the stage and a new found fiery momentum that speaks volume for a band that has been performing for three decades with a stage show that put the X in “Extraordinary.” The set list that was picked by the fans featured many old school favorites including “Live Wire,” “Shout At The Devil,” “Looks That Kill,” and “Too Fast For Love” and fan favorite “Smokin’ In The Boy’s Room” were performed razor sharp.
A very tanned Vince Neil yelled, “Vegas it is great to be home.” Highlight of the evening featured a drum solo by daredevil Tommy Lee strapped in the 360-drum coaster spinning around like a ferris wheel. Tonight, 2011 Sunset Strip Honorees Motley Crue were at the top of their game. Combining musicianship and theatrics in perfect execution. Perhaps bassist NIKKI SIXX summed up best why Motley Crue is celebrating 30 years together as a band. As NIKKI commented, “I take my job very seriously in Motley Crue and I never take the audience for granted.”
After the concert singer Vince Neil hosted an After Party at Rocks Lounge at the Red Rock Casino, which featured in attendance many celebrities including VH1 Reality Star Flavor Flav, Vinnie Paul and Carrot Top.
Set List:
Wildside
Saints Of Los Angeles
Live Wire
Shout At The Devil
Same Ol’ Situation
Primal Scream
Home Sweet Home
Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
Drum Solo
Looks That Kill
Dr. Feelgood
Too Young To Fall In Love
Ten Seconds To Love
Girls Girls Girls
Smokin In The Boys Room
Kickstart My Heart