Michael Schenker Fest @ Irving Plaza, NY, NY 3-10-18

One of the most revered guitarist on the planet is Michael Schenker. His career includes time with UFO, The Scorpions and his amazing solo work. His playing and music is held in high regard from musicians that include the likes of Slash and Kirk Hammett. Both look up to him as a guitar idol. When it was announced that he would be touring the United Sates this winter in support of his recently released “Resurrection,” I for one was excited about it. Not only to see Schenker, but Graham Bonnet and Schenker reuniting with his McAuley Schenker Group vocalist Robin McAuley. This is the first time I get to see any of these talented musicians in any setting. The Michael Schenker Fest also included Gary Barden and Doogie White on vocals, Chris Glen on bass, Ted McKenna on drums and Steve Mann on keyboards and rhythm guitar.

The show started at 8:35pm with the appropriately instrumental “Into the Arena.” Michael Schenker then welcomed the first vocalist of the evening in Gary Barden. Barden laid down some impressive vocals for the next 4 tracks including “Attack of the Mad Axeman,” in which he nailed. Up net was a song that Schenker remarked that he was nice to let his brother use it for The Scorpions, that was “Coast to Coast.”

Graham Bonnet took over for “Desert Song.” During “Dancer,” Barden and McAuley joined in. In fact, this was a common occurrence as various vocalist were in and out to sing various parts of songs. This included specific choruses or even just harmonies. Bonnet had strong vocals throughout the entire set.

The highlights to me were the songs with McAuley. Some of those songs were very underrated when they came out and McAuley still sounds like he did some 30 year ago when they made the records. Tunes like “Bad Boys” and “Anytime” were played with conviction. Barden, Bonnet and White joined for the background vocals on “Anytime.”

Of course, the entire set and show centers around the playing of Schenker. Not maybe can match the talents of Schenker. He’s’ not as flashy as others or maybe doesn’t play with furious tenacity either. His playing is just so fluid and technical. He was spot on in his delivery and didn’t overplay at any point throughout. He stayed within each song and delivered it perfectly. Schenker came out and greeted the crowd a bunch of times throughout the set. This included coming to the edge of the stage, slapping hands and pointing at fans.

At the end of the set, they brought out from behind the kit drummer Ted McKenna and sang “Happy Birthday” to him. The show ended by playing the biggest songs of Schenker’s career in UFO tracks “Doctor Doctor” (which was the first encore) then “Lights Out” which was the last song of the set.

A show that lasted almost 2 hours and 45 minutes. You couldn’t ask for a better set that included everything but the kitchen sink. The sold-out crowd all went home very happy!

Setlist:

Into the Arena (Michael Schenker Group song)

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (Michael Schenker Group song) (Gary Barden on vocals)

Cry for the Nations (Michael Schenker Group song) (Gary Barden on vocals)

Attack of the Mad Axeman (Michael Schenker Group song) (Gary Barden on vocals)

Messin’ Around (Gary Barden on vocals)

Armed and Ready (Michael Schenker Group song) (Gary Barden on vocals)

Coast to Coast (Scorpions song)

Desert Song (Michael Schenker Group song) (Graham Bonnet on vocals)

Dancer (Michael Schenker Group song) (Graham Bonnet on vocals)

Night Moods (Graham Bonnet on vocals)

Searching for a Reason (Graham Bonnet on vocals)