Concert Report by Sam Chihabi
MSG at Key Club, West Hollywood, CA
November 30, 2003

Added on 12/01/2003


All I can say is wow!! Before I jump into the review, I would like to say that this is my first time seeing Michael Live. In the past few years I have seen 'em all: Scorpions, Deep Purple, Def Leppard, Whitesnake, Dream Theater, Joe Satriani, Iron Maiden, even Blackmore's Night. NOTHING COMES CLOSE! The Hollywood Key Club venue is an intimate little venue that holds no more than 500 people. My friend and I got there at 7, and ran straight to the left of the stage where I knew he would be playing. That is where I stood for the next 5&1/2 hours. The opening band came on at 8:45, and I believe their name was Creature of Mercy. They were one of the most tolerable opening bands I had seen in a while, and their singer/lead guitarist can really shred. I cannot say I enjoyed the second act, a bunch of death metal freaks by the name of Metal Illusion. No melody, no emotion, just very Megadeth gone sour with artistry sound. The beers came in handy while I endured the brain crunching sound. The rhythm guitarist' pedals kept getting disconnected, and I can't say I felt sorry for him.

ANYWAYS, around 10:25 or so, Michael and the band walked on stage. He is sporting the new black w/ white pickguard-dot-inlay Flying V, and that thing sounds phenomenal. I was standing so close I could reach and touch his cry-baby pedals if I wanted to. Now to the music. Maybe it was because of my standing right in front of Michael, but I could not really hear Chris' voice for most of the night. While I like Chris, I was here to see and hear Michael, and he didn't disapppoint. He started off shy, not looking at the crowd, but by the 4th song, he was all smiles and nods. I can honestly say his guitar playing was flawless....Schenker's not God, but as far as guitarists, NO ONE COMES CLOSE (sorry Ritchie, we still love you). He did not miss a note. BTW, Michael and Rudolf have very similar moves, especially when they rock from side to side! Very entertaining. Amy came on for a few songs, and in the encore, and although her guitar got disconnected once, that girl can play!! She was keeping up with Michael, and that is praise in itself, especially on the Rock Bottom encore. When she came back on stage, I caught her attention in the middle of Doctor Doctor, and I motioned for her to move closer to Michael's side, right in the middle of his solo. She winked, smiled and ran across to Michael and they started playeing together!!! She even gave me a followup glance, as in "Is that better?" She's a sweetheart and has great stage presence.

I almost passed out when they started Into The Arena, which is my favorite MSG song, along Attack of the mad Axeman and Armed and Ready (yup they played em all). As in the Sacramento show, Assault Attack was dropped, but I think Captain Nemo and Bijou Pleasurette are the only MSG songs that should have been on the set list. As far as UFO goes, they played all the hits (Doctor, Only You Can Rock Me, Lights Out, Rock Bottom), and I was only somewhat disappointed in the exclusion of Natural Thing and Love to Love. It also would have been nice to hear material from Walk on Water and even Sharks, two great albums IMHO.

As far as the bassist and drummer went, they played formidably, and the bassist, who I had the pleasure of briefly meeting after the show, even got a little solo spot in the middle of Into The Arena. The only disappointment was Michael not showing up downstairs for the signing. I talked to Dave, the tour manager, and he told me that Michael was tired and had retired to his room. For that performance Michael, you deserve a break. I will going to the Santa Ana show on the 4th of December, and I cannot wait to see them play again!! I will also be taking my new Schenker style '79 block inlay flying V, which I hopefully get tomorrow, to the show to try and get it signed. I have never spent $25 on anything better or more enjoyable, inspiring and just kick-ass.

Here's the setlist, identical to the Sacranmento show.

READY TO ROCK
MOTHER MARY
LET IT ROLL
FAT CITY
LIGHTS OUT
ROCK'N ROLL BELIEVER
ARACHNOPHOBIAC
VICTIM OF THE SYSTEM
HIGH COST
INTO THE ARENA
FATAL STRIKE
ONLY YOU CAN ROCK ME
ON AND ON
TOO HOT TO HANDLE
ATTACK OF THE MAD MAN
--------------------
ARMED AND READY
DOCTOR
ROCK BOTTOM


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