The Riverside in Newcastle welcomes arguably one of the best touring lineups to arrive in the region this year.
Tonight U.S rockers The Dead Daisies join forces with The Answer for a co-headline show in the city, which also features support from special guest Lynne Jackaman (Saint Jude). With such an impressive array of talent on display, the unprecedented demand for the show has meant that tonight’s date in the city, along with many shows on this tour, has long been sold out.
In recent times Saint Jude’s Lynne Jackaman has been pursuing her solo career, with her incredibly soulful new project, Jackaman. Performing for her first time in Newcastle as a solo artist, tonight Lynne leaves behind her big band in favour of a more intimate, stripped back set and adds a touch of glamour to the proceedings.
Jackaman is getting ready to release her eagerly anticipated debut solo record, and tonight she takes the opportunity to whet our appetite for her future release with a couple of new tracks like the beautifully heartfelt “Sooner or Later”. These songs are interspersed between several acoustically reworked numbers from last year’s No Halo EP like the incredibly funky “Wasted” and “You Can’t Take Back”, which give these songs a new lease of life.
Lynne brings her set to a close with a sublime rendition of Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home”, which leaves the audience wanting more. Jackaman’s mindblowing vocal range really captivates the audience throughout, she truly connects with everyone in the room, it feels almost as if she is addressing you personally as she lights up the stage.
Earlier this year The Dead Daisies released arguably one of the stand out records of 2016 in the shape of Make Some Noise. The international supergroup is performing in the city for the first time tonight with their revised lineup, which now features ex-Whitesnake/Dio guitarist Doug Aldrich.
As the band kick off their set with “Long Way To Go”, it doesn’t take long before the room gets hot and sweaty. The likes of the band’s euphoric latest single “Song And A Prayer” and their take on Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son” sends the Geordie rock fraternity into classic rock heaven.
Doug Aldrich has certainly been the missing piece of the puzzle for The Dead Daisies – his inspired guitar riffs truly make him stand out as one of the best hard rock guitarists around right now. When you couple this with the dynamite rhythm section of ex-Thin Lizzy/Whitesnake bass player Marco Mendoza (bass), “The Thunder from Down Under” David Lowy (guitar), and powerhouse drummer Brian Tichy along with the vocal prowess of John Corabi, who completes this all-star lineup you truly have a special group indeed.
Throughout the course of the set, the band’s enthusiastic fans hang on every word of the likes of old favourite “Lock and Load”, “Last Time I Saw The Sun” and the infectious “Mainline”, which has a chorus that stays with you for days. The audience sing so loudly, John Corabi could have almost taken the night off. He asks the audience “Newcastle are you with me?” – the answer is an overwhelming yes.
As the band enter into the final third of their high-octane set they break into a superb cover of The Beatles “Helter Skelter”, which is segued with Led Zeppelin’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine”, before bringing their show to a close with their rampant take on The Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s “Midnight Moses”. With a wealth of experience between them, the band’s stage presence, flair, creativity and attitude truly encapsulates the spirit of rock n’ roll.
The Answer round off the evening, and bring some balance to the proceedings. The band released their incredible sixth studio album Solas in October. Throughout the course of their set, the band deliver the lion’s share of their latest offering with as many as nine songs from the album featuring tonight.
The Answer open their show with the title track from their new album and “Beautiful World”. Of course, there is room for a few old favourites like “New Horizon” and the frantic “Demon Eyes” but it is the band’s collaboration with Lynne Jackaman, who makes her second appearance of the night during “Nowhere Freeway”, which steals the show. The track features some incredible harmonies between the pair, they leave the audience transfixed.
The Answer bring the night to a fitting close with “Battle Cry” during which Neeson and the band exit the stage. Cormac is armed with his trusty cowbell and they make their way through the audience to the back of the room where they are greeted by many of their adoring fans.
Tonight was a night which Newcastle will not be forgetting in a hurry. With the quality of talent on display this evening these bands should be filling arenas, but there’s plenty of time yet for that.
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The Dead Daisies