DVD review: AEROSMITH – Aerosmith Rocks Donington 2014

Eagle Vision [Release date 04.09.15]

Having witnessed Aerosmith at their London Calling gig just two weeks after their headline appearance at 2014’s Download Festival, I was eagerly awaiting the release of this DVD and I was not disappointed.

The DVD starts with backstage footage and I have to say that the band are looking every inch of their age, but when they take to the stage they act, and sound, like men half their age.

The set opens with “Train Kept A Rollin’” and finds Tyler in a Native American headdress for some reason – he is also sporting a Captain Jack Sparrow ‘tache, although this suits him – however, let’s not talk about the glowing face paint that makes an appearance later in the show.

On the other side of the stage guitarist Joe Perry looks like a cross between Keith Richards and Hanoi Rocks’ Andy McCoy and throughout the gig you can see why he has been such a great influence on generations of guitar players.

The twenty song set list has been assembled to please fans of the band from every era- ‘70’s, ‘80’s. ‘90’s and recent converts are all catered for. “Last Child” is good example of just how tight a band can sound after so long together, surely it can’t be right for a band to still sound so damned good after this long – but they do and there is no letting up. With the Perry sung “Freedom Fighter” the band prove not only that their newer songs fit nicely alongside their more established material but that it still rocks like f@ck.

Steven Tyler’s voice may be lower in some songs but on “Home Tonight”, where it is just him and the piano, you see just how good it still is – this gives way to “Dream On” and after nearly 30 years of watching the band play this song live, it still send s shivers down my spine.

Who knows if we will see Aerosmith in the UK again but this DVD captures a band still on the top of their game. There are no bonus features here but there really don’t need to be. *****

Review by Nikk Gunns

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)