LIVE: POISON – June 8, 2018

Venue: DTE Energy Music Theatre

City: Clarkston, MI

Date: June 8, 2018

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)

Not many bands roll through town on a summer tour that blow me away with a lineup, but when Poison’s Nothin’ But A Good Time Tour 2018 hit Detroit, I couldn’t wait to see three killer bands grace the stage at DTE Energy Music Theatre.  First up were Michiganders Pop Evil led by Leigh Kakaty.  The band made no waste of their shorter than normal time on stage in their home state.  The quintet ran through song after song instilling belief in their existing fans and adding to the fan base with song after song.  Next up was one of my all-time favorite bands Cheap Trick.  With more than 40 years of material available in their musical armory, the band launched hit after hit at the crowd and we all ate it up.  Robin Zander’s voice and presence on stage made it seem as if time stood still for him, as he sounded as good live as he has in years.  Rick Nielsen controlled the flow of the set and brought his bag of antics and fun… along with a million picks to toss out to the crowd.  The rhythm section of Tom Petersson and Daxx Nielsen anchored the show, especially when Tom stepped to the mic midway through their set.  Robin’s son also helped keep things on track on rhythm guitar.  After a rousing hit filled set, they said their goodbyes and the crowd’s anticipation started to grow more and more for the headliners.

With the band’s original lineup in tow, Bret, Rikki, Bobby, and C.C. seized the moment and took over Detroit once again.  It never seems to fail the crowds always show up and pack the house and these guys always deliver all the hits the fans came to hear.  As the opening strands of the “Look What the Cat Dragged In” came blaring across the venue through the sound system, the crowd seemed to explode and the band responded in kind.  We were off and running on another journey through the Poison catalog.  Each of the guys added their piece to the puzzle through out the evening.  Frontman Bret Michaels sang his ass off and did enough fist bumping, hand slapping, and smiling for every one in the place.  After the opening, the set didn’t slow down as they ripped into “I Want Action” and the fans answered back singing almost as loud as the band.  A personal favorite, “Ride the Wind” was next and this song blew me away, just as it has done every time I have heard it… live or otherwise.  Add Bobby Dall’s “impromptu” seated bass playing during the track and this song takes me back to its release.  More hits followed, including the seminal hit “Something to Believe In” and the bands take on Loggins and Messina’s “Your Mama Don’t Dance.”  Tucked in between solos, another favorite of mine, “Fallen Angel” was coupled with another killer track “Unskinny Bop” which led right into Rikki Rockett’s drum solo.  Besides having a solo, C.C. DeVille seemed to pull out all the stops on the bands final track in the set, and tour namesake, “Nothin’ but a Good Time”.  This song took the excitement and energy level to new heights for the evening and we were all rewarded with a rousing version of KISS’ “Rock and Roll All Nite” to close out the show.  You couldn’t help but relive your favorite moments of the evening on your way home from the show with a Poison tune running through your head.

Complete set of POISON show photos HERE

POISON LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Complete set of CHEAP TRICK show photos HERE

CHEAP TRICK LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Complete set of POP EVIL show photos HERE

POP EVIL LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries