Open: Motley Crue
Headliner: Aerosmith
Where: Rexall Center, Edmonton
When: December 9, 2006
After having revisited the 70’s only two nights before hand, I was still in the mood to hear some classics rip through massive speakers. I was still amped on the cheering crowds and riotous fans. On tonight’s program we have a little bit of Motley Crue with a heavy serving of Aerosmith.
Allie, my latest in criminal companions, and myself had already had a wild day of roller coasters and tourism when we scrambled to find a way to make it downtown to the venue. Finally, my grandma (a saint) drove us through and down sketchy Edmonton roads until we saw the venue on the horizon. Allie and I escaped at the intersection and ran excitedly to the doors. Full body pat downs in order, I luckily am only subjected to a few light touches on my sides and pockets while Allie was almost the victim of a strip search. Thankfully, I was the one smuggling in the cameras.A familiar rumble reaches my ears and feet and I look to the nearest curtain and see the lights had dimmed. All of a sudden Shout at the devil can vaguely be heard coming from the arena. Fortunately, we weren’t really there for Motley Crue so hearing their music at elevator music volume was satisfying enough. Allie and I stand in the merchandise line for about twenty-five minutes and get cozy with a few guys who we pushed up against at the front of line. I purchase a tour t-shirt and we b-line for our seats.
Down the stairs and into the basement, again we finally find out seats and watch the rest of the opener. Girls, Girls, Girls and Kickstart my heart were definitely the highlights. The performance by a cirque du soleil-esque acrobat made the show a little more entertaining but I was disappointed to see how the band relied on the extras to make them more entertaining (the light shows, the pyrotechnics and the women). Two scantily clad, pin-up looking women paraded around the stage for Girls, Girls, Girls and how lucky was I to watch Vince Neil make out with same girl, twice. Once the girls left the stage, I was bored again. No dancing or acrobatics, just a chubby Vince Neil walking back and forth across the stage in a stagger. Highlights of their performance were scarce, but Tommy Lee’s antics never failed to impress me. Jumping from behind his drum set, he calls the audience a ‘bunch of fuckers’ and tries to find the ‘crazy bitch’ in the audience who wants a shot of Jagermeister. Lee takes a swig himself and then passes the bottle to a wild fan and insists he passes it around the floor. I laugh at this and the guys break into Dr.Feelgood and a Nikki Sixx solo, which I more than enjoyed.
It ends, intermission time. Allie and I fight off the mob just to make it to the concession to get some Diet Coke. We make it back to our seats to find our company (the two guys to my right) has disappeared. To drunk to find their seats again I assumed. Instead we are joined by two headband-wearing teens that ask me ‘are these seats taken?’ I tell them yes, but they should stay until the other two come back. They never did.
A big curtain falls and a quick digital light and picture show erupts onto the screen. Historic Aerosmith pictures and music blare as the fans all stand up and cheer in anticipation. The curtain rises so quickly and before you can see anything on stage, Steven Tyler emerges from a cloud of smoke. Toys in the Attic was the first song, and I’m more than ready to party! For being a fifty-some rocker with a long career behind him, I was impressed with the energy the man brought to the stage. Now, I have never been to an Aerosmith concert before but I knew that it was typical Tyler fashion to carry the mic stand that was decorated in scarves. Everywhere Steven went the mic stand went with him and acted more as a baton than anything else.
Steven doesn’t pause between the first two songs, but does quickly introduce (my favorite band mate) Joe Perry. Joe rips on his guitar and sings along with Steven while running up and down the catwalk. Throughout the night Steven had humped the stage, thrown his jacket to a lucky fan and pushed his crotch into the camera’s view. Wearing the most hideous and uncoordinated outfits Aerosmith put on a show that was nothing short of memorable. With only a small backdrop behind them and no special appearances to help them along, the energy of the five men never stopped. The solos were interesting (unlike others) and every time they spoke I just felt anxious for more music. Sweet Emotion, Seasons of Wither (which featured fake snow and very dramatic lighting), Love in an Elevator and Dream on were among the hits they performed. While avoiding the more recent hits Aerosmith was still able to appease newer fans with an incredible show. The unfortunate absence of Tom Hamilton didn’t seem to faze the group and the replacement was more than talented.
When the show ended the lights dimmed and crowd roared for more. I was beginning to feel particularly sad that the concert was over since I had enjoyed myself so much. To top things off, Aerosmith gave the crowd another quick video featuring a Lucifer-esque man who couldn’t find a radio station that wasn’t blaring some Aerosmith. Once the video was over, a quick thank you to the city came up and it went dark. Everyone in the arena paused for just a moment, hoping and receiving. With a blast, so unexpected, Steven and the guys run out for one final go. Walk this way was easily the most exciting performance of the night because you had been left wanting more. The Encore gave you one last display of why Aerosmith has had the career they have and will have. Despite a tour cancellation early this year and the unlucky injuries and illnesses that have plague the band, you’d never be able to tell the hardship they had faced this year.
This concert has left me feeling sick with joy. I get so excited whenever a thought comes to my mind and chills run down my spine whenever I watch the videos. I’d go back in a heartbeat and I could listen to them perform forever.
