Dream Theater put on a masterful show to close Sunday at High Voltage
High Voltage 2011 review
Tuesday 2nd August 2011
Neo-prog rock group Pallas kick off the Prog Rock Stage's festivities for the second day of High Voltage. Most of the set is composed of material from their new album 'XXV' and closing number 'Eyes in the Night (Arrive Alive)'. New vocalist Paul Mackie equips the band with a rock 'n' roll image and takes to the position of frontman with gusto, ensuring eyes follow him all throughout the set. With a brief set duration, Pallas manage to retain all attentions and create a new wave of converts.
The Prog Rock Stage becomes crowded with all the members of The Enid. Drawing from a salad of musical influences, the majestic music of The Enid proves something of a curiosity for many. Their symphonic rock washed over the audience standing under the sun and seemed to appropriately match the weather. A small choir joined the band on stage, taking up even more room but the results were interesting. This English group are definitely an asset to the festival.
Curved Air expulse nostalgia by the truck-load. Their seventies prog rock combined with a folk sensibility creates a relaxed atmosphere among the punters. After an instrumental opener, vocalist Sonja Kristina Linwood takes the stage. Her stage presence revolved around dancing and alongside the rest of the band, she was a paradigm of the spirit of the seventies. The popular 'Back Street Luv' encouraged the biggest audience reaction from their set and it was executed to fine detail.
On the Classic Rock Stage, Michael Schenker of The Scorpions and UFO fame entertains the audience with his guitar skills. Naturally, he serves up a set of material from UFO, The Scorpions and the Michael Schenker Group in addition to his solo material. Guest appearances are made by Pete Way from UFO and Waysted, Doogie White from Yngwie Malmsteen and Rainbow, Jeff Scot Soto from Talisman and Schenker's older brother Rudolf Schenker still with The Scorpions. The highlight of the set is a cover of The Scoprions' 'Rock You Like a Hurricane', with a chorus that is drowned out by the singing-along audience.
Supposedly their last ever show, English hard rockers Thunder open their set, after an intro tape of AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck', with the title track off their debut album 'Backstreet Symphony'. Vocalist Danny Bowes still possesses the same pipes from twenty years ago and with a smile. The majority of the set is drawn from 'Backstreet Symphony' with the likes of 'Higher Ground', 'Gimme Some Lovin'' and 'Love Walked In'. The entire performance is particularly vibrant and lively; it is clear that Thunder have the audience in their palms. Closing with 'Dirty Love', the crowd clamour for more and it is evident that these hard rockers will be missed.
On the Prog Rock Stage, Spock's Beard have accumulated an enviously-sized audience. Their interpretation of modern prog features unconventional compositions with a kick of a heaviness absent in most prog rock bands. And of course their musical talents cannot be disputed. Ted Leonard replaces vocalist Nick Morse and proves himself as a worthy replacement. But the Americans clearly save the best for last as ex-vocalist Neal Morse takes the stage to sing 'The Light' and the beautiful ballad 'June'. Morse brings not just his excellent vocal prowess but also his stirring stage presence and from the expressions etched on to his face, he sincerely enjoys the brief reunion and so do the fans.
Jethro Tull are the final act on the Prog Rock Stage and the anticipation can be felt. Opening with the appropriately titled 'Living in the Past' the prog-meets-folk icons turn back the clock and invite the audience to return to times past. 'Thick as a Brick', 'Mother Goose' and 'Aqualung' are a few of the tracks studding the hour long setlist (which feels too short for a band whose career spans over forty years). The music is playful, almost cute, accented by the use of the flute. The enthusiasm of the band is visible and their stage banter incorporates good humour, making it impossible to dislike them. This is certainly a performance that many are glad to have caught.
Although not as busy as it was for Judas Priest the headliners the night before, Dream Theater's first UK performance with new drummer Mike Mangini is a highly anticipated performance. The opening riff of 'Under a Glass Moon' secures wild cheers from the Dream Theater loyal and the beginning of an exercise in musical wizardry. The prog metallers decide to fill their two hours with a track from each of their albums, including new single from the forthcoming 'A Dramatic Turn of Events' album, 'On the Backs of Angels', which sounds like an amalgamation of all of the band's previous studio efforts.
Particular strengths of the set include the dark 'Endless Sacrifice', the instrumental 'Ytse Jam' and the dramatic 'Caught in a Web'. Mangini receives the opportunity to show off his drum talents with a drum solo, which although nothing overtly impressive, is fun to watch. Unfortunately, this appears to be a point of exodus in the audience. The band members display their infinite comfort with the live environment, particularly vocalist James LaBrie who maintains a sense of focused relaxation! The particularly lengthy 'Count of Tuscany' closes the set but an encore of the classic 'Learning to Live' from 'Images and Words' ensures that all fans go home with a grin on their face. Dream Theater certainly put on a masterful show that rightfully affirms the festival's choice to have them close the weekend.
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