So guys! The day had arrived. At last, it was time for Stockholm Rocks! I had chosen a bus that departed a little later than I usually do, as I wanted to avoid my often very cranky morning temper which you know, tend to ruin my whole day, and I must say it did help a little, even thought everything got even better after a little chat with Mr Australia. On the bus though, I began to realize how limited my time was. My expected arrival was at 14.20, and the first band started at 15.15, though the first band I wanted to see didn’t start until 16.15, and my hotel was located a little bit outside center, AND, the arena had been changed to Gröna Lund, so all of a sudden, I didn’t have too much time on my hands.
Gladly, the bus arrived 20 minutes early, allowing me to, still stressed, get my SL card, get candy (for breakfast), and lunch and nightfood. I planned to hit the hotel by 15, and so I did! Once I was checked I pretty much inhaled my food, got ready and hurried to Sergels. I was really worried I wouldn’t make it in time, as the planned arrival for the train to Gröna Lund would arrive 16.15, which was the exact same time Reckless Love had their stagetime, and to make it even better, the damn train was late. Damn damn damn damn.
Once at Gröna Lund and Tyrol, I hurried pretty much ALL I could muster, only to realize, the festival was a bit delayed! Reckless Love started only moments after I arrived but hey! I was well lucky, don’t you think? Anyway. They started off with ” I Love Heavy Metal” and they were just sooo energetic. I’ve only seen Reckless Love twice before, but I always remembered them as one of the more energetic bands in this, I don’t know, world? Yup.
They followed up with two of my favorite songs, “So Happy I Could Die” and “On The Radio”. The show was very energetic, but then again, what would you even expect from these guys? The two times I’ve seen them previously they’ve always delivered, like, A LOT. The crowd was pretty good, it was rather thin, but it’s kinda understandable. Early performance, together with new festival and the lack of a big fanbase kinda do that.
Eventually they wrapped up the gig with “Night on Fire” and “Hot” before leaving the stage and making way for Gus G. I was surprised, I must say, to see the crowd leave the stage. I was under the impression that at least the front row would stay and queue for H.E.A.T or TNT, or Gus G, or Marty Friedman. I guess I was wrong.
(Reckless Love Setlist: I Love Heavy Metal / So Happy I Could Die / On The Radio / Bad Lovin’ / Edge of Our Dreams / Back To Paradise / Sex, Drugs and Reckless Love / Born To Break Your Heart / Beautiful Bomb / Animal Attraction / Night on Fire / Hot)
You know, I don’t complain. I went on to the front row and placed myself on Rivers side, for a change. I always used to stay on Dalones side, but as you know, he’s not in the band anymore so now it’s mainly potato-potato about the whole thing. Eventually, Gus G started and went on with his show.
He delivered a pretty darn good set, and he had Swedish singer Mats Levén with him to sing the tunes. I can’t say I’m, you know, into him, like I am with Reckless Love and H.E.A.T, but I really enjoyed the show! Quite a lot!
Eventually he finished his set and the wait for Marty Friedman began. At this point, I had the very big pleasure of getting to know two individuals – Alex and Elisabeth. Alex and I chatted for a little bit before he went back to his friends, but Elisabeth and I really bonded. It turned out she, much like me, was here to see H.E.A.T and I was glad to find someone to share the concert with it. I rather go alone than not at all, but it’s always better when you got company.
Marty Friedman got on the stage and gave us practical EARGASM with his roundabout hour long guitarsolos. Seriously. I’m not always a big fan of all instrumental shows, but damn. This was well worth it. What a man! Both he and the second guitarist he had with him just completely blew my mind. Sadly, I had to leave for a while at the end because of the “epillepsy-lamps” that for some reason makes my heartcondition act up. But after a few seconds of fresh air I was back again and could enjoy the end of the show.
After Marty, the REAL wait began. While Reckless Love and TNT might have been the biggest motivation for me to go, H.E.A.T was probably the band I looked forward to see the most. As you know from my review, I fucking LOVED “Tearing Down The Walls”, and a concert of it’s tour CAN’T be bad.
The anticipation from mine and Elisatbeths side was pretty high, and I don’t think I’ve ever been more exicted before when I’ve heard the song “The Heat Is On” start. For those of you who doesn’t know, this is H.E.A.T’s “Scarctic Circle Gathering” (I’m just assuming close to everyone who reads my blog are Lordifans) The band entered the stage and started off the show with the albums opener, “Point of No Return”
They followed up with the newest single “A Shot at Redemption” and I don’t know man. TNT is said to be the headliner, but seriously, the crowd was rather big for H.E.A.T! Bigger than I expected it to be. Or to be honest, I don’t know what I expected. “Better off Alone” was the next song before it was time for one of their biggest hits, “1000 Miles”.
You know. For being a large crowd that was the crowd at Sthlm Rocks, they were rather silent and perhaps… boring? I’m just you know, thinking back on Steel Panthers crowd, and how INSANE they were during “Community Property”, and the rest of the songs, and here, nope, not even for “1000 Miles”… What the heck. Maybe it would improve later on in the show.
Sadly, it didn’t. Neither during the single “Mannequin Show”, the very popular “In and Out of Trouble”, “Beg Beg Beg” and not even for “Emergency” who seems to be a rather big favorite. I just want to assure you people, I WAS at the frontrow, but seriously. The action was VERY VERY little. Which is a shame, because the band?
They were insane, as usual. I’ve said it so many times before, and I’m probably ALWAYS gonna say this: H.E.A.T is the best band to this date. They ALWAYS deliver, not matter what (like, bad audience), and they ALWAYS do it with that HUGE (and heartbreaking) smiles of theirs. This is why I’m constantly looking forward to go to H.E.A.T. shows, because the likely hood of me getting disappotioned are basically ZERO. Not at all. Gifted, passionate musicians. That’s what you get from H.E.A.T.
They wrapped up a fantastic concert with “Breaking the Silence” and “Living On The Run” before it was time for them to leave the stage. But not until they had taken a photo with the crowd. A photo both me and Elisabeth are visible on. Amazing. Second time it’s happened now. Great. I must say, I was surprised of how long their set was. I expected them to play about an hour or so, but the setlist is rather intense.
(H.E.A.T setlist: Point of No Return / A Shot at Redemption / Better Off Alone / 1000 Miles / It’s All About Tonight / Tearing Down The Walls / Mannequin Show / Late Night Lady / In And Out Of Trouble /Beg Beg Beg / Downtown / Enemy / Eye for an Eye / Danger Road / Emergency /-/ Breaking The Silence / Living on the Run)
After H.E.A.T, much to my surprise, most of the crowd left the stage. It was time for the headliner – TNT, which was actually the band I mostly came for. Both me and Elisabeth stayed put and chatted, and not a minute to late, the norwegian + american men stepped on stage and opened with “Invisible Noise”.
And I’m just gonna say this. I died. Ok. Seeing TNT with Tony Harnell has been a LONG, LONG DREAM for me. I never thought it would actually happen, but it did. Today. At Tyrol. At Gröna Lund. Right there, on Victor Borges side (Eric Rivers side, OX’s side, Lexxi Foxxx’s side, depending on your fandom). I… I am at loss for words. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing or hearing, for that matter.
They continued with “She Needs Me”, and “Downhill Racer”. I might just as well add. The crowd was small. H.E.A.T had a greater crowd, which surprises me. Why was TNT the headliner, if they didn’t drag enough people? To be honest though, I’m not too surprised when all comes undone. I’ve never really met anyone at ALL that likes TNT, so I guess in a way, there were more people there than I expected.
After “My Religion” it was time for the legendary Ronnie Le Tekrø to show us what he was made off. Seriously, it’s been seven years since I last saw TNT and damn… I’ve missed them. They moved on with “Forever Shine On” before the first hit of the night came – “Tonight I’m Falling For You”. Despite having a smaller crowd, their crowd was more into it.
After “End of the Line” it came. The song. The one.
“Intuition”. I… When they started the intro… I just…. First I blanked out, much the same I did when Kita left Lordi. I heard the chords, but I couldn’t place the song. Of course I knew all along it was “Intuition”, but you know that feeling, or perhaps that moment, when that ONE THING you’ve waited for, for so long, when it finally happens, and you can’t even understand it? That’s basically what happened here. And hearing TNT, with Tony Harnell, doing “Intuition”. I’ve said it many times before, but you know. If I die today, I will die very, very, very happy.
“As Far As The Eye Can See” and “Seven Seas” followed suit until they wrapped up the entire show with “Northlight” and “10.000 Lovers”. They thanked for the night and left the stage. During the entire time they had had fairly good energy I’d say – of course, Tony Harnell is no Erik Grönwall (because it is like what, 30 years age differences?!) but they have this chill energy experienced band has you know.
(TNT setlist: Invisible Noise / She Needs Me / Downhill Racer / My Religion / -Solo- / Forever Shine On / Tonight I’m Falling / End of The Line / Intuition / As Far As The Eye Can See / Seven Seas / Northlight /10.000 Lovers)
However, I was rather surprised to how short their set was. It was only about an hour long, making me question even MORE why H.E.A.T wasn’t the headliner of the festival. Oh well. No big harm done, really!
After the show, Elisabeth and I left in peace and went our seperate ways once we reached Sergels Torg.
All in all. This festival was beyond epic. I was so glad to see three of my favorite bands gathered in one place, especially being that two of them are bands you rarely see. Thanks Stockholm Rocks, for this epic experience, and thanks Elisabeth for the company.
Over and out!
// Sara
Sara Hammerzmith 