by Paige Gueldner, Contributor
Taking the stage illuminated by blue lights, Canadian prog-rock band Big Wreck kicked off the night, showcasing not only their voices but also their musicianship. Ian Thornley’s double-necked guitar was hypnotic, as they set a groove for the Crue on Tuesday night at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.
Then there was a puff of smoke in the air, eyes were glued on the clock counting down the seconds, and entering through the full-house crowd, Motley Crue took the stage.
It took less than 10 seconds to be transformed back to the 1980s.
A thundering beat pulsed through the assembled bodies, and the intensifying rhythm grew in the stadium. Flashing lights and aerial dancers accompanied Crue’s first song of the night “Saints of Los Angeles.”
The best way to describe Motley Crue to those unfamiliar with the band is ’80s rock on steroids. The compelling music is hard not to find irresistible. As I glanced around at the people who swarmed around me hoping to also get a better view of the band members, I saw articles of clothing I never knew came in leather. Topped off with tons of hair spray, the teased hair brought me back to my parents’ high school yearbook. These fans are to be commended for their extreme dedication.
The band flawlessly rocked through song after song, playing everything from “Dr. Feel Good,” “Home Sweet Home” and, of course, “Girls, Girls, Girls.”
Motley Crue found the perfect balance between old and new songs, showcasing each band members’ talents throughout the concert. Tommy Lee captured the audience’s attention on the floating piano, Mick Mars confirmed his mind-blowing talent in his guitar solos and lead singer Vince Neil never failed to impress.
Motley Crue made living in the ’80s look fun!
Setting up a large stage which branched into the crowd ensured everyone was rocking away with the Crue.
Everything from bungee cord dancers to siren lighting was just spectacular, but what really stole the show was Tommy Lee. Playing the drums on a massive circle track wasn’t enough. As the track moved, Lee continued to play the drums upside down.
Ending the night with “Kickstart My Heart” made the crowd go fanatic. The heat that grew in the arena only seamed to feed the fans into more screaming and singing. They filled the stadium with their loud roars and threw their arms up into fist pumps in satisfaction.
