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LIVE REVIEW
bLACK sTAR rIDERS
NEWCASTLE CITY HALL
24TH February 2023
Review and photos by David Weddle
Rock giants Black Star Riders brought their tenth anniversary tour to Newcastle City Hall, along with special guests Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons and Michael Monroe. With a line up of legendary names in rock history that would make any rock festival organiser green with envy, Ricky Warwick and the guys have done a great job of making this tour a memorable occasion for their fans.
Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell was up first with his band, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. The band’s line up for this show included Phil’s sons Dane on drums and Tyla on bass, with Joel Peters on vocals. Unfortunately, no Todd on this one.
The band kicked off proceedings with ‘We Are The Bastards’ and ‘Bite My Tongue’ before belting out Motorhead favourites ‘Going To Brazil’ which, as you can imagine, really got the crowd in the mood for a night of rocking out.
The set was a decent mix of PCATBS tracks and Motorhead classics, including ‘High Rule’ from PCATBS's debut album, ‘ Age of Absurdity’, and ‘Born To Raise Hell’ from Motörhead’s 1993 album, ‘Bastards’.
Just before the final song of the set, Joel Peters encouraged the Geordie crowd to get their middle fingers in the air as he took a photo, before telling the crowd to keep their fingers in the air and repeat after him, ‘F### you Tyler’. The City Hall was in good voice as those very words filled the auditorium as Phil Campbell belted out the opening and instantly recognisable riff to ‘Ace of Spades’.
An incredible, nine song set was performed with great energy and style, which even featured Michael Monroe making an appearance for ‘ Born To Raise Hell’.
Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell was up first with his band, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. The band’s line up for this show included Phil’s sons Dane on drums and Tyla on bass, with Joel Peters on vocals. Unfortunately, no Todd on this one.
The band kicked off proceedings with ‘We Are The Bastards’ and ‘Bite My Tongue’ before belting out Motorhead favourites ‘Going To Brazil’ which, as you can imagine, really got the crowd in the mood for a night of rocking out.
The set was a decent mix of PCATBS tracks and Motorhead classics, including ‘High Rule’ from PCATBS's debut album, ‘ Age of Absurdity’, and ‘Born To Raise Hell’ from Motörhead’s 1993 album, ‘Bastards’.
Just before the final song of the set, Joel Peters encouraged the Geordie crowd to get their middle fingers in the air as he took a photo, before telling the crowd to keep their fingers in the air and repeat after him, ‘F### you Tyler’. The City Hall was in good voice as those very words filled the auditorium as Phil Campbell belted out the opening and instantly recognisable riff to ‘Ace of Spades’.
An incredible, nine song set was performed with great energy and style, which even featured Michael Monroe making an appearance for ‘ Born To Raise Hell’.
Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons
Another huge name was up next, none other than Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe and his band. Making his presence known, Michael had a no holds barred approach to his performance. jumping from the stage and almost taking me out at one point. He got up close and personal with the front row, which the fans loved. His enigmatic smile and contagious energy really made an impact with the Newcastle audience.
Michael Monroe
The set featured a tonne of high energy tracks, kicking off with ‘One Man Gang’ and including the likes of ‘Last Train to Tokyo’ and ‘Murder the Summer of Love’. To be honest, the band was on point and Michael’s vocals were as incredible as ever, but even if they had sucked, Michael’s stage presence and natural ability to entertain and perform would have been enough to make this show a memorable one.
At one point, the show was almost brought to an early finish as Michael climbed the PA system and climbed up on the side balcony to meet the fans. Swinging from the balcony railings didn’t go down well with security for obvious reasons, but made for a fantastic, rock and roll experience for the fans.
Several hat changes later, Michael topped off the set with a stunning performance of ‘Up and Around The Bend’. Michael Monroe is the epitome of a rock performer, with untamed energy and an insatiable desire to rock out and entertain.
A short break and a chance for the stage crew to make their final adjustments to the stage, it was time for headliners Black Star Riders to take their place on the historic boards of Newcastle City Hall.
At one point, the show was almost brought to an early finish as Michael climbed the PA system and climbed up on the side balcony to meet the fans. Swinging from the balcony railings didn’t go down well with security for obvious reasons, but made for a fantastic, rock and roll experience for the fans.
Several hat changes later, Michael topped off the set with a stunning performance of ‘Up and Around The Bend’. Michael Monroe is the epitome of a rock performer, with untamed energy and an insatiable desire to rock out and entertain.
A short break and a chance for the stage crew to make their final adjustments to the stage, it was time for headliners Black Star Riders to take their place on the historic boards of Newcastle City Hall.
Their set was a massive twenty tracks long, starting with ‘Pay Dirt’ and then straight into ‘Another State of Grace’, BSR were heavy as ever, and they were definitely ready to rock City Hall. As well as Black Star Riders tracks, Ricky Warwick, Robbie Crane, Zak St John, and Wayward Son’s guitarist Sam Wood also belted out The Osmonds' classic ‘Crazy Horses’ as well as Thin Lizzy favourites ‘Don’t Believe a Word’ which also saw Phil Campbell return to the stage, and ‘Jailbreak’.
Not only were the band members joined at first by Phil Campbell and then later by Michael Monroe, but also founder member and former Thin Lizzy legend Scott Gorham joined the band on stage, which rounded off the night perfectly.
How often do you get the opportunity to witness so many rock icons on one stage at a venue that has more music history than you can shake a stick at? The audience was well and truly rocked, and the bands can all give themselves a pat on the back for putting on a show of such high calibre. A fantastic night in more ways than one, and one that will live on in the hearts and minds of those who were fortunate enough to witness it.
Not only were the band members joined at first by Phil Campbell and then later by Michael Monroe, but also founder member and former Thin Lizzy legend Scott Gorham joined the band on stage, which rounded off the night perfectly.
How often do you get the opportunity to witness so many rock icons on one stage at a venue that has more music history than you can shake a stick at? The audience was well and truly rocked, and the bands can all give themselves a pat on the back for putting on a show of such high calibre. A fantastic night in more ways than one, and one that will live on in the hearts and minds of those who were fortunate enough to witness it.
