The Dead Daisies / Rock City / Nottingham

A trip into town and to the home of rock to catch the Dead Daisies on their 2024 “Light ‘em Up” tour.

Tonight we have three bands, and up first are a band new to me, in the Bites from Los Angeles, California. I had no idea what to expect, but I certainly wasn’t disappointed as they delivered a thoroughly enjoyable set of their garage rock rhythms, mixed with some huge choruses. Their sound has a certain retro sleezy feel to it and live, they are most certainly a party band…. Full of energy they don’t stop moving around one minute, especially singer Jordan Tyler who just exudes energy and fun. A formidable frontman, he held the audience in his hand from first to last note.

The set was fantastic, especially Dirty City but for me, highlight was a brilliant cover of the classic War Pigs that had everyone joining in. A great start to the night.

Setlist

Knockin

Pretty Boys

Dirty City

War Pigs

Heather Leather

Squeeze

Fire In Hollywood

Do Me A Favor

Next in the line up is The Treatment, a hard rockin’ band from Cambridge who formed back in 2008, and who previously played under the name God Sacks Man. Again a band I’d not seen before but with a reputation that precedes them for high octane energy levels.

And they didn’t disappoint this new fan, delivering a style of hard and heavy, in your face rock with tonnes of energy and style. Brothers Tagore (vocals) and Tao (guitar) Grey at the forefront, they are joined by Andy Milburn on Bass and Tom Rampton on drums. All four don’t stop moving. The set started with Lets Wake Up This Town which sets the tone for the rest of the set with its fierce pace and power. Perhaps the best part was the incredible Man on a Highwire which was just pure power rock, packed with energy.

I’d not seen them before, but I know I’ll be keeping an eye open for them hitting town again !

Setlist

Lets Wake Up

Let It Begin

Eyes

Thunder

Vampress

Man 0n A Highwire

Bite Back

This Fire

Shake

And then it was time for the headliners, and after a quick re-set of the stage, The Dead Daisies stride out to raucous cheers from the packed Rock City. It’s hard to believe that the Australian / American hard rockers have been around since 2012. The line up of this rock ‘super group’ has changed numerous times, with most recently Glenn Hughes leaving in 2022 which was followed by the return of John Corabi to the line up on vocals and guitar. And with a new album “Light ‘Em Up” out now, this promised to be something special, and the new album of course, formed the centrepiece of the set.

Guitarist Doug Aldrich was on fine form, pulling poses for us photographers at the front whilst pulling off some impressive riffs backed up by some stellar bass tones from Michael Devin while drummer pounded the skins driving the whole set forward. John Corabi delivered a fine performance on vocals to the delight of the packed house especially on tracks such as amazing singing the likes of Unspoken and Born to Fly which were simply stunning.

The set began with the new album’s title track Light ‘Em Up which set the bar high right from the off and the energy levels didn’t drop once through Rise up, Mexico, Make Some Noise and Long Way to Go. I loved Bustle and Flow which has that arena rock feel to it, which you can’t help but dance to.

The set includes some great covers too, from the likes of Take a Long Line by the Angels, Seven Nation Army (the White Stripes) through to the wonderful blues tones of the classic I’m Ready by the legendary Muddy Waters.

The Dead Daisies were exceptional tonight, and everyone was cheering, singing or had their hands in the air, lapping up every beat and riff or power chord. The return of John Corabi, seems to have reinvigorated the band, and it’s clear tonight, that they’re just loving playing.

Three bands, all delivering powerful, energetic sets of rock, from their own style perspectives, that gelled perfectly. A top night, and one I’d love to live again and again …..

Setlist

Light ‘Em Up

Rise Up

Dead and Gone

Make Some Noise

I Wanna Be Your Bitch

Unspoken

Bustle and Flow

Lock ‘n’ Load

I’m Gonna Ride

Born to Fly

Take a Long Line