GIG REVIEW Cranberries, AC/DC, Rolling Stones. Oberhausen, O-Visions Zukunfstpark,Germany 13th June 2003

Gig review from an AC/DC perspective.....

The O-visions Zukunfstpark was a bitch to find. Oberhausen itself is a fairly anonymous looking town, and the venue itself was really just a huge gravel pit behind a disused factory in an industrial estate!
However, we got there early on the day of the gig (me (tomScotland), Cam, Bjorn (JD) and Johan) as I had a ticket to sell. We killed some time by sitting around enjoying the sun and the vast amount of people walking around sporting DC shirts.
The highlight of the early afternoon was undoubtedly hearing the soundcheck. Initially we thought it was the crew/guitar techs but then they rocked into IYWB and HTH (Brian sang HTH perfectly, and ended it very well indeed, quietly and quite Bon-like in fact, it suits his style this way!) But we were not prepared for what was to follow - they soundchecked Walk All Over You!!!!.
We mused briefly that it may find its way into the set, but predictably enough it didn't.

On to the gig itself, and I'm pleased to say I really enjoyed the Cranberries set (I've always had a bit of a thing for delores). They were tight, loud, and were treated to a good sound.
With anticipation building we made our way forward for AC/DC, getting quite near to the front. There were vast amounts of AC/DC fans in the crowd and I think some of the older Stones fans felt a bit threatened!
When the show began AC/DC simply strolled out, gave a wave and launched into HAABPTB, Angus' cap staying on for about 3.5 seconds as usual! I knew immediately we were witnessing a top-drawer performance. By now you'll know the setlist, 14 songs, 1.5 hours, no surprises but the tightest performance imaginable.
ANGUS PLAYED HIS HEART OUT. He was rolling, duckwalking, running like a teenager - he was on fire! Brian was feeling the strain a bit, but his vocals were pretty much spot on. It was nice to see the band play in daylight, you could see things you don't normally, like the band talking, and Brian waiting by the side of the stage during the BBB strip and Angus' solo part in LTBR. The Bell made a nice appearance, going UP into the gantry, and it was a nice change to see the old Cannons (From the Cannon and bell Tour era). The show was brilliant, I mean REALLY BRILLIANT and if the Stones were not so reliant on huge video screens and a billion dollar lightshow they simply could not have followed that, no way.
The Stones were pretty robotic, measured and reserved and I left well before the end. (In fact I left so bloody early I missed Rock Me Baby!)
Anyway, another 10/10 for AC/DC and another concert memory for me. I was totally knackered by the time I got home as I'd just come from the SwedenRock Festival (Motorhead were sensational as always).



- Hell ain't a bad place to be
- Back in black
- Dirty deeds
- Thunderstruck
- Bad boy boogie
- If you want blood
- Hells bells
- The Jack
- TNT
- Highway to hell
- You shook me
- Whole lotta Rosie
- Let there be rock