4NR
You wanna talk about pleasant surprises? 4NR's show last night was absolutely amazing. Best that I've seen from a reconstituted, nostalgia band, which is missing key personnel.
As I commented earlier when I was on the fence, they only sold half the house for the show, but this smallish crowd of probably 3000-4000 was really treated to a classic arena rock show. Just fantastic!
The additions of Jeff P (x-Dokken) on bass, Jason B. on the drums (son of the late great), and ... surprise of the night, Kelly Hansen who replaces the legendary, and I thought unreplaceable Lou G. ... were great. Kelly brings so much energy in his performance and has range for days. I didn't think it possible, but I think 4NR right now may be wayyy better than the classic lineup, like leaps and bounds better. And Mick still has really amazing chops on the guitar after all these years ... still playing wicked riffs and solos fairly effortlessly.
Often you see these recon/nosty bands reduced to playing state fairs over the summer or podunk clubs ... so I really didn't expect much at all from them, even though there are tons of gushing reviews that these guys are great. At the end of the day, I just wanted to hear these songs from my distant past live again.
I was amazed during most of the show, because I haven't felt this kind of energy at a show in quite a while, great vibe from the band, great crowd. Sometimes when it's a money (aka nostalgia) show, you just get this feeling that playing the music is supposed to be enough.
Again, I was really pleased that it seemed like they weren't just going through the motions ... this is one of those pet peeve things that kind of bothered about the last JRNY show I saw in 02, where only Steve2 seemed to be relishing the opportunity to play. Here, there was a great honesty tonight ... that 4NR was really enjoying playing for a larger crowd, and the crowd was just very appreciative to be seeing and hearing the loaded setlist, all hits top to bottom
And that's how I spent my Thursday evening ... faith restored in a old warhorse from my past. These guys can really play, and if you get a chance to see them ... by all means, go. You will absolutely not be disappointed, I am total believer
Setlist
Double Vision
Head Games
Cold as Ice
Waiting For a Girl Like You
Say You Will (new acoustic arrangement by Jeff, great BGV harmonies)
Blue Morning, Blue Day
Dirty White Boy
Starrider
Feels Like The First Time
Urgent
Juke Box Hero (Whole Lotta Love)
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Long Long Way From Home
I Wanna Know What Love Is
Hot Blooded