So… I don’t even know how to begin this blog. I’ve been seeing Mötley Crüe live quite a few times on and off since 2007, and knowing that this is supposed to be the last time I’ll ever see them. It feels a bit surreal… I don’t… I don’t even know how to put this to words. So I won’t for now.
The day began lazily. For once, ONCE we actually had the opportunity to sleep in. I think we got up around noon, had breakfast and took a quickie downtown before we met up with our amazeballs friend Robert for some dinner before the show. It was raining like there was no tomorrow, but we somehow made it to Taco Bar anyway. We had a fun dinner with lots of jokes and plans and whatnot before we headed out in the rain again to get to Globen and the very last show.
As soon as we got out of the metro, we ran. Not because we were late, but because THE RAIN. Rain is all cool when you sit inside, with your window open and a few lit candles and a “nice” (*cough* Hunger Games *cough*) book, but not when you are about to go to a show. Gladly, since we were so “late” there were practically no queue at all, so we got in immediately. Directly, we headed for the merchandise to get the for me, mandatory tour programme. That is pretty much all my current budget allows, but on the other hand, I must admit there weren’t a whole too many good designs.
At this point, it was about ten minutes left until Alice Cooper would go on stage, so we went down to the standing area. To our surprise, it was actually pretty…thin. I mean, not entirely, but I really thought there would be more people than this.
With a five minute delay, Alice Cooper went on stage to the rhythms of “Black Widow”. He quickly followed up with “No More Mr Nice Guy” and kept up that pace throughout the whole show. The set of the night were pretty similar to the shows he’s done earlier this year, of course a bit shorter because of time, sparing only the “hits” or the “good ones”, in what also felt a quicker pace than usual.
Regardless of this, Alleysan never, and I tell you NEVER, fail to entertain. Like I told you before – I wasn’t sure if I came for Mötley Crüe or for Alice Cooper, and despite seeing this set for about the third time this year, he still entertains me. And also. Seeing the Frankenstein doll on the big screen did freak me out a bit. I’ve never seen it so up-close, and now I was actually frightened by the details. Good on you, Mr Cooper.
Alice left the stage, and left us waiting for Mötley Crüe. I’d lie if I say I wasn’t having mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I couldn’t wait to see Mötley Crüe again, because despite them being so “bad” they are still Mötley Crüe, it’s still all those songs I love. But on the other hand, I didn’t want it to be over.
And right now time, the intro song started and the boys started the show with “Girls, Girls, Girls”. I must admit, I was a bit surprised by the choice of song, but… how can I care, how could I possibly care that much when Tommy, Vince, Nikki and Mick are on stage. It’s hard to comprehend that it was really only five months ago I saw them before this… But it’s something with Mötley Crüe, and it has always been. Whenever they come, I come.
Second song of the night were “Wild Side” followed by “Primal Scream”. And what can I say… This is a big show. There are pyros and fire-spewers literally everywhere, explosions and what else. A pricey show, I guess you could call it.
The second guitar was brought out, and the very song that actually began my entire fanhood of Mötley Crüe was ripped off – “Same Ol’ Situation”. For the last time. This was followed by “Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)” and “Smoking In The Boys Room”.
“Looks That Kills”, “Mutherfucker of The Year” and “Anarchy in the U.K” was fired off before the arena went completely dark, only to be lit up by Nikki Sixx putting his mic stand on fire for “Shout at the Devil”. For those of you who may not know, Nikki Sixx’s current mic stand hangs from the top of the stage down, and has a up-side down star on it, much like the album cover.
“Louder Than Hell” came on before it once again becomes completely dark, but this time to the tunes of “O Fortuna”. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this, more than that I stood a long while thinking about from where I recognized the song (Clash of the Choirs, Team CANS) and then, Tommy Lee came out for his drum solo.
And finally, I got to figure out what the big metal thing standing half way into the arena was.
It was the rollercoaster.
After all these years. After all these years, and all these prototypes.. it was finally here. The rollercoaster. The Rollercoaster Tommy Lee had spoken about so much in the past. Finally, it was here. And it was damn good. He started his drumsolo accompanied by some club music as the rollercoaster slowly started going upwards and then starting to twist and turn a bit. He went for the ride all the way to the center of the arena, which so happened to be exactly where we were standing.
When sitting there in the middle of the arena, Tommy got emotional and talked about this moment, and how important it was for him, but also how saddened he was, and how heavy his shoulders were from what had happened in Paris just a couple of days prior, and asked for a minute of silence. Of course, there will always be jerks who has to yell through things like this, but it was really, really beautiful. He then started his ride back to the stage where Mick joined him for a mind-blowing guitarsolo.
“Saints of Los Angeles” was quickly fired off after this, followed by “Live Wire” and “Dr Feel Good” before wrapping the whole set up with “Kickstart My Heart”. And what an ending, my god. Nikki and Vince were put up on “elevators” and shoved out in the audience. Oh my. What an ending. Confetti and pyros EVERYWHERE. It’s like they used all their last power.
They thanked for the night, and left the stage.
In the middle of the arena, where Tommy’s rollercoaster ended, there was a drumset. We weren’t sure what to make of it, but we hoped that maybe Tommy’d play it. And when we saw the crew start to prep it, we realized that we, or at least I, would come closer to Mötley Crüe than I have ever done before. And we were right. After a bit of time, they came up on the little podium together for one last good bye in “Home Sweet Home”.
And by that, it was over. Done. Finito. The very last time I’d ever see Mötley Crüe… was over. But this, this my friends, were the best good bye I’ve witnessed so far.
I went to this show with the worst expectations possible. I expected to barely even recognize the songs, to see Mötley Crüe being out-shined by Alice Cooper, but at least see the people who meant so much to me. But I got more. I got a Mötley Crüe who could play together. I got a Vince Neil that actually SANG all, or at least most, of the words, which he hasn’t always done in the past. I got to see Nikki Sixx talk about how a knife represents persistence and that with that, you can go far. I got a Mötley Crüe who seemed genuinely happy to play. I wasn’t sure if I came for Alice or Mötley, but I came for Mötley. I really did. And most importantly…
…Mötley Crüe delivered one of the best shows I’ve ever seen them do on their very last show in Sweden, and I’m glad I was there to witness it.
Thank you, Mötley Crüe. For all these years.
// Sara
Sara Hammerzmith 