Reviewed by Tobbe
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Special guest:
City: Stockholm, Sweden
Venue: Debaser Medis
Date: October 24th 2013
Set length: 126 minutes

Y&T

Bay area hard rockers Y&T never did tour Europe that much in their prime. About a decade ago a second wind hit, as mastermind, guitarist and lead vocalist Dave Meniketti and his boys started to find the way overseas year after year. The band visited Stockholm last fall as well and since I missed that show, I made it very clear, very early that I was going to attend the show at Debaser Medis, no matter what.

No support acts, no special guests or whatever they're called took the edge off this night. I must admit that I'm pretty fed up with seeing bands I don't care the least for. So when lights went down just after 8.30, I was all fired up, ready to enjoy what I thought would be a memorable night. When on their headlining tours, I've never seen this band play for less than two hours, even if they've played for smaller crowds occasionally. I reckon 500 fans showed up tonight and I believe the major part got their money's worth.

A show that kick starts with Mean Streak can hardly fail. A stunning piece and a blasting opener. It would be unfair to state that this song set the standard for tonight's performance, but the crowd on this over 18 show loved it and was on its feet from that moment on, witnessing a set mainly filled with classics and a couple of songs from the latest release, 2010's Facemelter. Pretty much what was expected, I must say.

I love the way they add things to the songs and change the origins without ruining the songs the least. Meniketti's feeling is extraordinary and he just lives and breathes through the guitar. His voice is still all right as well, although he's close to sixty. Mike Vanderhule's drum play feels somewhat stiff, correct and clean occasionally, when comparing to the flow the guys with the strings have in their plays. Nothing that actually bothers me, just something that I took notice of.

It's Meniketti's band evidently and most focus is on center stage as he holds the crowd in a firm grip throughout the entire show. Deceased bassist Phil Kennemore's successor Brad Lang has grown into the band in a short time and he receives some well deserved and hard earned attention during the set. Second guitarist, John Nymann, is just having a good time and even though he is a skilled player, he knows his position a small step behind the main man.

This performance was a great display on how to let the passion of music do the talking. With an unbeatable joy they never seem to get enough with song after song that hits hard and feels profound with Meniketti's plays. A truly amazing night with the band and the crowd in a near perfect symbiosis.

Performance: 8 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 7 chalices of 10
Best: Mean Streak, Dirty Girl and Winds Of Change.
Worst: I'll Cry For You and Hurricane.

Setlist:
From The Moon (Intro)
Mean Streak
Hard Times
Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark
Don't Stop Runnin'
Black Tiger
Dirty Girl
Midnight In Tokyo
How Long
Lonely Side Of Town
Lipstick And Leather
Hurricane
Winds Of Change
Contagious
I Want Your Money
Rescue Me
I'll Cry For You
Squeeze
Summertime Girls
I Believe In You
I'm Coming Home
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Open Fire
Forever

Related links:
www.meniketti.com