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Back in 2010 I reviewed Winger at Manchester Academy and took my son the guitarist Ben Randall. Ben is a big fan of the band but I couldn’t entice him to see their latest tour supporting Steel Panther. Whether it’s a musician’s sixth sense, but I sort of see now where he was coming from.
On possibly the warmest day of the year so far, an audience packed in like sardines at a venue chain which witnessed a fatal crush outside Brixton Academy (and alleged overcrowding inside) and with jobsworth security (perhaps understandably paranoiac) it was not a memorable experience. Line of sight was bad and, most important of all, the sound mix was rubbish.
Maybe the two year Covid gig interregnum has focused the mind too and we’ve become more critical. To add insult to injury add in also the £9 clear air surcharge for driving in to Bristol city centre which seems to have more road works than roads…
I had this feeling that the pairing of retro renegades with the real thing was never going to go well. Given that this was very much Steel Panther’s audience Winger were definitely constrained and constricted and the set list geared to the lowest common denominator.
The frustration was clearly evident in my recent interview with Kip Winger and any hope of extended band interplay or “deep cuts” was always going to be wishful thinking and very naive on my part. Although pre-tour Kip was inviting audience requests via Instagram.
Their 45 minute set majored on the key hair metal tracks and the high energy levels were sustained for most of the time only giving way to the more cerebral ‘Rainbow In The Rose’, ‘Miles Away’ (co-written by returning keyboard player Paul Taylor) and ‘Headed For A Heartbreak’ the latter including a possibly unnecessary appearance from Michael Starr.
But of course the poor sound ruined the subtleties of Winger’s music. That’s quite alarming when you know Kip Winger’s sonic credentials. And a Reb Beach guitar solo spot, to be honest, is totally unnecessary when time is tight and with no time to build tension and drama. However let’s not be too rose-tinted, we only got an hour in 2010.
At least we were spared a drum solo and career overview medley which they include in some of their sets. In truth this crowd would have loved that but perhaps a clash with Steel Panther on this occasion who sometimes do a similar eighties mash-up.
You can’t help thinking that here you have a band that’s becoming almost a tribute to themselves whereas Steel Panther started out a tribute and then sought recognition in their own right. And here’s another anomaly for hardened gig goers: why is it that a band is more concerned about getting a selfie for social media before hastily retreating from stage rather than a proper bowing out and audience adulation at the end of the gig? And, yes, I’m being picky.
On the back of a very strong new album, and a wonderful post-1990 back catalogue, it is criminal that the band are unable to tour in their own right. And they have the original line-up plus John Roth who joined thirty years ago! And, sound mix notwithstanding, they are still formidable musicians with Kip’s strong vocals (and bass playing) a particular highlight.
Winger last played a few dates in the UK in 2014 following their appearance at Download. In our chat Kip Winger implied that at nearly 62 he will find touring a challenge going forward and of course he has his classical interests. Let’s hope that he returns with the band before the end of another decade and give the hard-core fans what they really deserve. Promoters are you listening? But maybe skip Bristol Academy.
Review and photos by David Randall
Setlist: Can’t Get Enuff/Seventeen/Down Incognito/Proud Desperado/Junkyard Dog (Tears On Stone)/Miles Away/Rainbow In The Rose/Pull Me Under/Headed For A Heartbreak/ Easy Come Easy Go/Madalaine
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