Michael Schenker
- Rock Metal Machine
- Jun 4
- 4 min read
Artists: Michael Schenker, Wytch Hazel
Venue: Manchester, Ritz
Date: 11th May 2025
"This was one of the most magical ninety minutes of my life, I’ve seen the seventy year old almost seventy times and tonight was right up there with the best of them!"
The weather is glorious and I’m in North Wales for a long weekend, however all I can think about is the gig on Sunday night. After a two-hour mad dash I’m outside the Ritz and there is a sizeable crowd already gathered. Once inside you can sense the night is going to be special – it doesn’t get much better than my all-time favourite musician performing my all-time favourite live album in full.
Support Wytch Hazel hit the stage just after eight. I must admit I’ve not heard of them previously. After a quick check on the internet, I discover that they’re from the North West and have been together for around twelve years releasing four albums. The foursome are all dressed in white and remind of seventies band Angel. Sound-wise they’re not a million from early Maiden and Purple and play a nine song set which goes down very well with crowd.
Thirty odd minutes later the Ritz is packed to the rafters and it’s absolutely sweltering. The masses are expectant and it’s hardly surprising when you know you’re going to hear the mercurial Michael Schenker play UFO’s ‘Strangers In The Night’ in full, aka “My Years With UFO” fiftieth anniversary tour. The lights dim and Led Zeppelin’s ‘Immigrant Song’ belts out over the PA and then the mad axeman appears with his Gibson Flying V, followed by his talented band and his new vocalist Erik Grönwall (ex H.e.a.t and Skid Row) and they’re straight into ‘Natural Thing’. The mad axeman’s riffing is superb, as is his soloing. It’s great to see him back using Gibsons instead of Dean guitars, it’s difficult to explain but the tone from his Gibson is how it should be and it tonight it definitely is! Grönwall exudes energy and is the epitome of cool, he’s no Phil Mogg and he’s not trying to be, but he’s got a great voice (albeit it’s slightly low in the mix) and an excellent rapport with the fans and he genuinely looks like he’s enjoying himself. The crowd are loving it and as soon as the opening guitar riff to ‘Only You Can Rock Me’ kicks in the cheers get even louder and the blonde bomber’s solo is spot-on, including the slide! ‘Hot ‘N’ Ready’ sees Grönwall running around the stage and interacting with bassist Barend Courbois and guitarist / keyboardist Steve Mann; you can see how much fun everyone is having on stage.
The crowd are even more raucous during ‘Doctor Doctor’ and unbelievably it seems to be getting even hotter inside the venue. The band are feeding off the energy from the audience and it is one hundred per cent reciprocated. Grönwall grabs an acoustic guitar during ‘I’m A Loser’ and his vocals are full of emotion, Schenker’s soloing is superb. ‘This Kid’s’ is a headbanger’s delight and the band and the audience are up for the challenge. ‘Lights Out’ amazingly ups the ante and the band are on fire, especially Mann who trades solos with the main man. Next up are instrumental deep cuts, ‘Lipstick Traces’ and ‘Between The Walls’, which are a joy to behold. My personal highlight of an incredible night is the phenomenal ‘Love To Love’ with Grönwall on acoustic guitar and emotional vocals, Mann’s lush keyboards, whilst the maestro shows any budding guitarists how to play a mesmerising solo or two…breathtaking!
‘Let It Roll’ is superb and then a couple of more deep cuts in ‘Can You Roll Her’ and ‘Reasons Love’ where the vocalist takes a breather and sits on the barrier taking selfies for an appreciative fan whilst admiring the maestro’s solo! Then it’s the time that most fans have been waiting for – yes, it’s Schenker’s tour de force ‘Rock Bottom’ where he wrings every possible note out of his Flying V and the hairs are standing on the back of your neck. His playing is mesmerising and he shows restraint by pretty much sticking to the ‘Strangers…’ version as opposed to the extended solo from recent solo tours… shucks. Fans are in raptures and as the epic number comes to a dramatic end, Metal Mickey takes a few pics of us as well as his great band, including drummer Bodo Schopf who gets a deserved chance to take the limelight.
Schenker, instead of leaving the stage, asks the crowd if they want two more songs and surprise surprise we all roared “yes” – ‘Shoot Shoot’ followed by ‘Too Hot Too Handle’ which is touchingly dedicated to Pete Way and Paul Raymond. Mann and the legend trade solos once again and in a flash we’re done.
This was one of the most magical ninety minutes of my life, I’ve seen the seventy year old almost seventy times and tonight was right up there with the best of them! Michael Schenker is on fire, as are his band. Go see the show if you get a chance, you will not be disappointed.
Review: Az Chaudhry
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