Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018
City: St. Charles, IL
Venue: Arcada Theatre
Opening act(s): Michael Angelo Batio
Headlining act: Last In Line
Last In Line VIP Soundcheck:
Black Out The Sun
Holy Diver
Michael Angelo Batio Setlist:
No Boundaries
Somebody To Love
Call Me
Instrumental Jam
I Hate Myself For Loving You
Last In Line Setlist:
Stand Up And Shout
Straight Through The Heart
Devil In Me
Evil Eyes
Holy Diver
Already Dead
Don’t Talk To Strangers
The Last In Line
Martyr
Invisible
Rainbow In The Dark
———————
Starmaker
Egypt (The Chains Are On)
We Rock
Notes:
- The concert was originally scheduled for March 17, but was rescheduled due to Def Leppard’s charity concert in London.
- Second time seeing Last In Line live. Still the only Def Leppard related side project seen live.
- Third band with which I’ve seen Vivian Campbell perform, as I’ve seen him with Def Leppard 54 times, Thin Lizzy once, and now Last In Line twice. I’ve also seen him perform live with Leppard openers in 2003 (Ricky Warwick) and 2011 (Evan Watson), making Vivian the musician I’ve seen perform the most.
- Last In Line also featured original Dio (and former Black Sabbath) drummer Vinny Appice along with Andrew Freeman on vocals, Phil Soussan on bass.
- Keyboardist Erik Norlander quit the band just days prior to this show without explanation.
- The set featured four original Last In Line songs along with 10 Dio covers (six from 1983’s Holy Diver and four from 1984’s The Last In Line; no songs from 1985’s Sacred Heart, the last Dio album to feature the original lineup, were performed).
- Same set as the previous show.
- I attended the pre-show VIP Soundcheck, which included a brand new Last In Line song slated to appear on their upcoming new album, due in 2019. The track, “Black Out The Sun,” may have been performed live for an audience for the very first time. The second soundcheck song was Dio’s “Holy Diver.”
- The pre-VIP soundcheck also featured other new songs that will appear on the band’s second album.
- I met the entire band before the show, which was the fourth time meeting Vivian and second for everyone else.
- Concert #108; Last In Line concert #2.
- Show #2 at this venue; first since July 19, 2017.
Videos:
Review:
While I’m very spoiled with Def Leppard shows all throughout my surrounding area, side projects are a different story. Most of them are relegated to the coasts or the UK. In July 2017, I was fortunate to catch Vivian Campbell’s side band Last In Line in the Chicago suburb St. Charles, IL.
I was thankful to get one opportunity to see them, let alone two. But 2018 afforded me another chance to catch the band as they were returning to the same city and venue. I couldn’t be too surprised though, as their 2017 show in St. Charles was met with a near capacity crowd that was loud as hell.
Much like last year’s show, I was very annoyed to not even find out about the show until after tickets had already gone on sale. But once again, I was still able to secure good seats. In fact, I got the same seats I got last year, only one row closer.
The show was originally scheduled for March 17, but wound up being rescheduled for April 21 after Def Leppard was confirmed to be playing a charity show for the Teenage Cancer Trust in London.
While prices for the show itself and the VIP package both increased this year, I still went for both. I couldn’t pass up another chance to see the band soundcheck and have another meet and greet that would allow me to chat with Vivian Campbell, one of my favorite guitarists, for a few minutes.
The drive to the venue was around three and a half hours (thanks to traffic) and it was a little rougher than usual since I was already running behind on sleep and then had to get up early for Record Store Day to secure the latest Def Leppard exclusive (the 12″ Live From Abbey Road EP). I spent April 13-16 in New York City, which wore me down physically and had me short on sleep. Then the combination of the flights and subway rides resulted in me getting sick, and I returned to work late in the week. All that combined to have me low on energy.
But I got a nice boost when I arrived at the venue and could hear the band inside soundchecking. I couldn’t figure out what they were playing though. I knew it was Last In Line, but didn’t recognize anything they were playing.
One notable difference from last year: keyboardist Erik Norlander recently left the band. Apparently after the band’s show in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago, the band boarded a flight to Houston while Erik flew to Los Angeles. Supposedly the band didn’t find out until they saw Erik update his goddamn FACEBOOK PAGE that he left the band.
After killing some time outside the venue, Brittany and I made our way inside and checked in at the VIP table. While waiting, I also purchased a show poster to have it signed by the band.
The line grew and featured a few familiar faces (such as Steve and Ruth, the latter of which would be taking photos of the show for an online review).
Finally we were allowed in to watch the band finish up their soundcheck. Last year’s soundcheck featured an original song (“Starmaker”) and a Dio track (“Invisible”). This year wound up being extra special. They revealed that they had been rehearsing new songs that will appear on their second studio album, due out in 2019. Frontman Andrew Freeman then asked if we wanted to hear a new song.
A new song still a year from release? Hell yeah!
He whipped out his cell phone, which had the lyrics on it, and then the band launched into the song, which I believe was called “Black Out The Sun.” It’s another slow but heavy song full of riffs while being a natural progression from the Heavy Crown album.
The band is already deep into recording the second album (with six of the 11 tracks done), and back when the show was first announced, I had hoped at getting a preview of it during the show. That wouldn’t be the case, but getting to hear a song at soundcheck was even better.
After some debate, the band decided to run through the classic “Holy Diver” for the second song.
The VIP group, which was smaller than last year’s, was then lined up to do the autograph session and photographs. It was done in the venue lobby this year to allow the opening band to set up and soundcheck.
The band was seated at a table this year, which made it a little more difficult to talk to them individually and didn’t allow me the extra time I got with Viv last year. But it was still really cool and I had a little chat with each member, starting with Vinny. Then it was Phil, Vivian, and Andrew.
At last year’s show, I was able to have the full band sign my Heavy Crown LP sleeve. I didn’t really need anything signed by them this year, but had to take advantage. That’s why I bought the show poster, and I also had Brittany get my Heavy Crown CD booklet signed.
I also had a few Def Leppard CD booklets for Vivian to sign, including an X booklet that was signed by Phil Collen on December 22, 2002. That was the first autograph I ever got and now nearly 16 years later, I was finally getting a second member of Def Leppard to sign it. At this rate it’ll take me until 2066 to get all five signatures on that booklet.
While Vivian was signing, I spoke to him about the new album and asked about Last In Line releasing a live album. While a full live album isn’t in the cards (right now at least), he did tell me that they were planning on including live songs as bonus tracks for the second album when it comes out next year. So that’s awesome that something will come out, though it’ll almost certainly be live versions of Heavy Crown tracks rather than Dio songs. Honestly I prefer to listen to Last In Line performing the Dio material, which is why I want a live album from them so bad. But something is better than nothing.
We got back in line for the photos, which went smoothly but once again were hurt by the lack of good lighting in the 91+ year old building. Last year’s photos were taken in the concert hall itself, which had uneven lighting. This time it was in the lobby, which was brighter but not better.
I thanked the guys and headed out to my car to drop off all the signed gear I had before hanging out with Britt outside the venue, enjoying the almost spring-like temps.
We went back into the venue just before the doors were scheduled to open. The band was just finishing the photos and passed me on their way back into the concert hall, so I said hi to Viv again and tried to bribe Vinny to add “The Sickness” to the setlist (no luck).
Finally the doors were opened and we took our seats, starting the hour and a half wait for the opening band to hit the stage at 8:00.
This year’s opener was Michael Angelo Batio, a musician with a career that goes back decades. He’s well known for his shredding abilities on the guitar and early bands Holland and Nitro, which were followed by a lengthy solo career.
He took the stage with his drummer and bassist to kick things off with the instrumental title track from his 1995 debut solo album, No Boundaries. Then he brought his female vocalist on stage to cover Jefferson Starship’s “Somebody To Love,” which sounded pretty good.
Another cover, Blondie’s “Call Me,” followed and had the crowd getting warmed up. And that’s when things got absolutely crazy as Batio busted out one of his apparently many dual-guitars… And the band launched into a lengthy jam.
Now, don’t get me wrong. The guy is definitely talented. But it was also absurd to a certain degree as I felt like I was watching Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap. The jam evolved from an amount of shredding so ridiculous even 1983 Phil Collen would say ‘that’s a bit much’ into riffs from rock classics such as “Purple Haze,” “Immigrant Song,” and “Crazy Train.”
For good measure, Batio closed out the set with another cover, Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself For Loving You.” The band sounded really good and certainly had me entertained.
Nearly an hour passed before Last In Line took the stage at 9:20 PM.
Despite playing this venue a little over nine months ago, Last In Line’s setlist remained unchanged. I get that they probably don’t have a lot of time for rehearsal, but it is a shame that more songs from Heavy Crown haven’t been featured since its release more than two years ago.
The show once again kicked off with “Stand Up And Shout” and “Straight Through The Heart,” both of which sounded great as always. The crowds at these shows are always a little different from most shows I see, as they lean more on the old school heavy metal side. But they were certainly loud, louder than last year as a matter of fact.
That continued for the band’s first original tune of the night, “Devil In Me.”
Having filmed many songs at last year’s show, I decided to focus on the ones I didn’t get a year ago… Which started with “Evil Eyes,” a song I grew to appreciate more after last year’s show.
“Holy Diver” followed, and it was the classic Dio material that made the lack of a keyboardist more apparent. The keyboard isn’t prominently featured on the Heavy Crown material, but it was featured heavily on Dio’s first three albums. As a result, there was a noticeable difference in the Dio material this evening. It didn’t hurt the show by any means though.
“Already Dead” picked up the pace before “Don’t Talk To Strangers” slowed things down a bit.
Once again, “The Last In Line” featured one of the biggest sing-alongs of the night, though the missing keyboards were once again apparent.
“Martyr” got things moving again before the band returned to the Dio material for “Invisible.”
As with last year’s show, Vinny and Andrew had the crowd count in “Rainbow In The Dark,” which closed out the main set.
After a brief encore, the band returned to the stage. Phil dedicated the next track to original Dio and Last In Line bassist Jimmy Bain. Once again, that song was “Starmaker,” my favorite Heavy Crown song, and it was awesome as usual.
The Dio epic “Egpyt (The Chains Are On)” allowed each band member to shine, especially the musicians as they went through a lengthy jam.
Earlier shows by Last In Line featured the Heavy Crown song “I Am Revolution” in the encore, but it has long since been dropped and doesn’t seem to be reappearing any time soon. Instead, Freeman said he had a question for the crowd and proceeded to ask about if they like to rock, which only gives me flashes of Joe Elliott asking “Do you wanna get rocked” to kick off Def Leppard’s “Let’s Get Rocked.”
Instead, Last In Line finished up the show with the fast and furious “We Rock.”
The show flew by and once again, Last In Line was at the top of their game… Despite playing a shitload of shows with very few days off. In fact, there was very little indication that they’ve barely had a break since this last run of shows began as everyone was in fine form and the energy was aplenty.
While last year’s show was the epilogue to Def Leppard’s activity for me, this year’s show is more of a preface. Leppard’s massive 2018 tour kicks off in roughly a month, though my first show isn’t until July 3.
Meanwhile, Last In Line will finish up work on album number two and have it prepped and ready for release early next year to allow them time to tour behind it. Hopefully that means more shows in my area with plenty of Heavy Crown and new songs to go along with the Dio classics.
Media Review:
Concert Review: Last In Line at The Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, Illinois, April 21, 2018
I am at the historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois to see hard-hitting heavy metal band Last In Line. Former Dio members Vinny Appice, Vivian Campbell and the late Jimmy Bain formed Last In Line in 2012 a year after getting together for an impromptu jam session. They were joined by singer Andrew Freeman and released their first album, Heavy Crown, in early 2017. Bassist Phil Soussan replaced Bain and the band has continued to tour and work on their second album, which is expected to be released early next year.
Starting off the evening was heavy metal guitarist Michael Angelo Batio, who is widely known as one of the fastest guitar shredders of all time. His technique is absolutely incredible, and he was so mesmerizing that, at one point, I stopped taking photos and simply watched! It is notable that most of the sold-out crowd stayed at their seats during this performance – it was THAT good. Truly a superb musician and must-see performer, Batio was the perfect complement to what would come next.
To a loud roar of approval, Last In Line took the stage and immediately launched into Dio-favorite Stand Up and Shout. The crowd erupted into thunderous applause – audience participation was a full 100% from start to finish, most notably later in the evening on another Dio classic, Holy Diver. When asked to sing along, they did just that with wild enthusiasm. Freeman’s vocals were at their best and the rest of the band was spot on. The show was tight and fast-paced and all too quickly we were at the encore. Phil Soussan introduced Starmakerand dedicated it to Jimmy Bain, inviting the fans to “sing along” and “if you don’t know it, sing anyway”. One of the highlights of their album, this song is a fitting tribute to the prolific bassist. The final song of the night was rock anthem We Rock – and the fans that came to the show did just that!
Having seen Last in Line in the past and knowing what a great show they put on, I had very high expectations coming into this – and I left blown away by this performance. The band was clearly having a great time, laughing and joking throughout and the energy emanating from the crowd was definitely a key factor. “Where the hell were you all last night?”, Freeman asked the crowd multiple times.
And to paraphrase Freeman: Last in Line is not a tribute band – they are not a cover band – they are four guys on stage playing music with no auto-tune, no backing tracks, no holograms. Every single song was written by someone on that stage. To which I say, make no mistake about it – they are the real deal and rightly so.
If you’re a fan of loud, kick-ass rock and roll and they come to your town, get out there and see them. And if you haven’t done so yet, check out their album; you won’t be disappointed.
By Ruth Preston @ MNPR Magazine, 2018
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