Michael Monroe is the ultimate living rock legend of Finland and so it doesn’t matter if he is performing with his equally legendary band, the currently split again Hanoi Rocks, or solo: When Michael invites to a concert, everyone accepts the invitation; the little child who admires his glittering outfits as well as the rock musician who adores him for his musical handiwork. And as usual, the occasion takes place in Helsinki’s most famous rockclub “Tavastia” whose entrance is emblazoned with a new logo, by the way…

Usually, Hanoi Rocks respectively Michael Monroe, are playing two or three gigs a day and so it’s happening today. Due to the strict regulations here in Finland, many concerts can’t be visited by persons who haven’t reached the age of 18 yet as alcoholic drinks are sold at the gigs, and so Michael Monroe plays first a so-called “Children’s concert”. As much as his fans love Michael, Michael loves his fans and so it’s self-explanatory that also the fans who are underage shouldn’t be neglected. RockZOOM says “Exemplary!” and takes part in the first of the two gigs for today…

Unfortunately, the unofficial name “Children’s concert” is often used with a negative undertone although these ones are sometimes almost more interesting than the “normal” concerts of him. So it happened at one of the previous “Children’s concerts” that he appeared on stage disguised as Dracula and explained that he represents that certain Dracula. To leave no doubt about how evil he is, he continues his explanation with the important addition “I drink blood!”. Wonderful scenes which we unfortunately won’t experience today as there are more teenagers than children present in “Tavastia” this time…

After a grandiose intro which is opened by the blues classic “I’m A Man” by Bo Diddley, turned into wild drummings which are accompanied by strobe lights and is finalised by an instrumental composition taken from the “Kill Bill” soundtrack, the band takes the stage by storm with a brandnew track called “Trick Of The Wrist” – and everybody start to rock right away!

In the beginning, Michael is armed with a saxophone, later on it’s a harmonica, and if he doesn’t have to serve a musical instrument, he just jumps around, moves closer to the fans several times to shake their hands and does his famous splits. And because of the fact that a bundle of energy like Michael Monroe needs some extra space for all his activities, a kind of catwalk has been added to the actual stage. But even that is not enough space for Michael from a certain point – and by the way: “I wanna be loved – Loved by YOU!” And what’s the best way to feel the love from your fans? Right: You just go into the middle of them! And – How nice! – there is a staircase in their middle aswell. With a railing, of course. You should know that Michael is famous for his preference to climb around stage’s frameworks but as there isn’t any in “Tavastia” tonight, he instead conquers the stair railing. Now you might start to think that more Rock’n'Roll is not possible but guitar player Ginger somehow manages it to break his foot during the gig. And if Michael wouldn’t have gossiped that, no-one would have noticed it ’cause Ginger kept a straight face all the time. And once again we experience that nothing can bring these brave Rock’n'Roll warriors down easily. Whether Ginger breaks his foot or Michael breaks two of his ribs like it was the case in this year’s August in Osaka / Japan: The show goes on, regardless of the consequences! The young concert visitors thank them for it with amongst others lots of applause and get in return hits like “Love Song” / “Machine Gun Etiquette”, “You’re Next” and “Feel Alright”.

“Alright” might be also the feeling for those fans who are lucky enough to snatch one of the setlists after the show ’cause all the fans who besiege the door to the backstage area and thereby almost the half lobby of the “Tavastia” are soon exhorted by the staff to leave the club. Mister Monroe has another show to play tonight – and even the wildest rocker need to recharge his batteries at some time… On that note: See you later!

http://www.michaelmonroe.com/
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