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Europe, Voodoo Johnson @ O2 Shepherd Bush Empire, London |
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Europe
Voodoo Johnson
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O2 Shepherd Bush Empire, London
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Tonight’s prestigious O2 Shepherds Bush Empire was completely sold out for the return to see Sweden’s finest and ever so popular 80’s rock band Europe. People were patiently waiting in the long queue as inside preparation was taking place for a live recording to capture the show tonight.
The opening band on the bill tonight was Birmingham’s hard rockers Voodoo Johnson. With only four years on the scene they have worked with some major producers. Opening song ‘Headstone’ was a loud blast, mixed influence of alternative rock cross over to old school. The song were straight forward for everyone to join in. Other songs on the bill are ‘Feel Karma’, another great rough guitar driven super charger! The band together played a tight set of several songs which did a great job to warm up the crowd and got them thirsty for more. Tonight’s wonderful set from Voodoo Johnson gave a feeling that they’re going to be back in town real soon!
Finally the countdown was over as Europe embarked onto the stage and played “Last Look at Eden” as the opening song. Europe have a knack of writing anthemic songs that everyone can join in with, which is an undeniably attractive proposition when concerning fan acquisition and although the band is over thirty years old it would be a silly mistake thinking they have gone soft… “The Beast” from their last album was the next track and it steamed aggression! The band also took a few moment to express their feeling about the recent passing of guitarist Gary Moore, front man Joey Tempest communicating to the room that it was his existence that was responsible for theirs. Tonight though, the most powerful aspect has to be lead guitarist John Norum’s guitar playing, his marvellous clear sound can only be comparable to any of the topmost guitar players! Amongst the very long set list there was other songs such as Carrie, Gateway Plan, Love Is Not The Enemy etc. New Love In Town was another track which people really got behind, the acoustics of the venue was absolute perfection for this tour de force, which was also being recorded for a live release album and DVD which is hitting us around October!
The band also announced that they have begun tentative steps to recording a new album and will be hitting these shores again next year. Everything about this gig smacks of blissfull reverence, everything the band throw the corwds way is lapped up, every bit of news is exactly what the crowd want to hear!! It’s at this time of heady enjoyment that the most defining song begins ringing out…it’s ’FINAL COUNTDOWN’ time. Not a person left out as all chant away in unison…every word, everyone knows this song, but for anyone who came just to hear a few novelty songs, they will have been enjoyably surprised by this set. Those who have never seen Europe live will have this gig etched on their memory
With a clear indication Europe will come back even bigger next year…they’re going to be needing a bigger venue to accommodate for everyone to come in. |
Review & Photography by Asif Salam
Voodoo Johnson
Europe
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Live Reviews 
