May 12, 2007 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre

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General Information

Date: May 12, 2007
Location: Royal Oak, MI
Venue: Royal Oak Music Theatre; 318 W. Fourth Street, Royal Oak, MI 48607; U.S.A. [ Venue website ]
Box Office Number: 248-399-2980
Additional Info: Special guests The Actual.

Set List

• Let It Roll
• Do It For The Kids
• Sucker Train Blues
• Superhuman
• The Last Fight
• She Mine
• Big Machine
• Get Out The Door
• Fall To Pieces
• Vasoline
• Just 16
• She Builds Quick Machines
• Set Me Free
• Wish You Were Here
• Used To Love Her
• Psycho Killer
• Slither

Reviews (13) [ send in your own review/pictures of the Royal Oak show ]

Thanks to ml: Yes, it was a great show, and this was the 4th time I've seen them, however the sound was just awful. As it turns out the band fired their soundguy halfway through the set, so I hope the next time around they have a better sound guy.

Thanks to John Herald from The Flint Journal: Already proving to be an anomaly among rock supergroups, the Guns N' Roses/Stone Temple Pilots hybrid Velvet Revolver is back for more after its multi-platinum debut, "Contraband."

Drumming up support for its forthcoming sophomore album effort, "Libertad," Velvet Revolver made its presence known at the Royal Oak Music Theatre on Saturday. In part of a small-venue jaunt before the inevitable arena tours following the July 3 release of "Libertad," the band packed the house with adoring 30-something fans, many of whom were clearly there to see former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash.

After a nearly hour-long wait following an upbeat set by pop-punk openers The Actual, former Stone Temple Pilot Scott Weiland took the stage as his usually charismatic and flamboyant self. Adorned in what appeared to be a military outfit, he commanded the crowd's attention as he led his bandmates through punchy selections from "Contraband."

Despite Weiland sharing a band with Slash, the stage rarely seemed crowded, as Weiland's smooth dance moves and in-your-face presence shared a spotlight with Slash's complex guitar solos. Oft-overlooked guitarist Dave Kushner provided some licks of his own, but it was ultimately Slash's show to steal. Drummer Matt Sorum and bassist Duff McKagan (both of GN'R fame) provided the backbone of the set.

Sonically, Velvet Revolver provided hedonistic thrills, but with a more mature outlook than most radio-metal genre acts. The veteran musicianship was obvious in the all-star band, and the ensemble sounded more energized than the current iteration of Guns N' Roses, the core members' embattled former band.

The crowd's energy was at its highest when the band broke into its Grammy-winning single, "Slither." However, the band received a nod for its inclusion of new, unreleased tracks "She Builds Quick Machines" and "The Last Fight," which Weiland noted would only be possible with smaller, less choreographed club tours.

The real show-stealer came when the band performed its encore with a stirring rendition of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," which showcased a more subtle side of Velvet Revolver, with Slash's guitar leads giving a new take on an old classic.

Thanks to Joe: Amazing show! The sound wasn't what I'd hoped it would be, but the energy was insane! Awesome! Freakin' stellar!

Thanks to Anonymous: Great show they played some of my favs (Big Machine, Sucker Train Blues). 6 new songs?. I have seen them three times always great, well of the new songs I thought Get Out The Door and the Last Fight were really good. But Let It Roll and She Builds Quick Machines I thought were going to be harder - and I think She Builds Quick Machines isn't the best choice for first single.

Anyways there still my fav band and can't wait for them to come back for a arena tour with maybe more songs (there performance was only about an hour and a half I think? they came on around 10pm show ended 11:30)? Really hope they come mack to Michigan with Alice In Chains please please that would be great!

Thanks to Matt Poyser: Last night was fucking amazing! I've been to a fucking lot of concerts and that was by far my favorite.

Thanks to Joe: Amazing show! The sound wasn't what I'd hoped it would be, but the energy was insane! Awesome! Freakin' stellar!

Thanks to mexicorob: Didn't see the first band...walked to left front of the stage at 9pm and the bouncers let us closer than the people getting crunched in the middle. 2nd song in Scott smashed his head on an overhead speaker. Once in a lifetime shot at getting real close to a big band. Highlights inc. Slash doing duck walk, Used To Love Her, a new song that exploded from the start, Wish You Were Here. My daughter had her mitts on one of the sticks Matt handed out at the end...next time grab it!!!

Thanks to Zach Truran: Great show. VR is a great live band, they put on a tight performance and sound like the record. I really enjoyed them opening with "Let It Roll". I love that song and have been listening to it all day.

I recorded audio of the show, you can download it here.
http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=38184

Hope to see them back later this year!

Thanks to Dave: Epic show. The opening band the Actual was very good. To be 15 ft from legendary performers is unbelievable. Slash had a smile on his face and his tophat on the whole night. Scott had his airline pilots hat on with an officer's shirt that had the number 154 on it. He looked pumped up before and during the first song (Let It Roll). He was all over the place and the bullhorn during the show was magnificant. He's like a magician with that thing. Vasoline and Psycho Killer were great, the new songs were awesome. The pit was tough and there was a ton of crowd-surfing going on. The only thing I hope they add to future shows are Illegal I and Headspace. Those are 2 of their best songs and they need to play those at every show. They also eliminated the Set Me Free extension. Watching Slash and Dave exchange solos for a few minutes is awesome and they shouldn't eliminate it. I give the show an 11/10. There's no other band out there that gives as much energy and has the raw talent and playing power of VR besides Axl's new GNR. Too many bands these days are 100% emo-rock and the workmanship is subpar. Based on the 6 songs they played live, this is going to be a great album, maybe the best rock album of the year.

Thanks to Josh: Let me start off by saying I am a huge fan of STP, Scott Weiland and VR. However I would have to say that this was one of the worst concerts I have been too. Weiland couldn't even sing the right notes to half his songs. I really feel like I was ripped off. I mean when Scott can't even sing Vasoline right I think something is going on. Also not sure if it was the location but the music sounded horrible. What a waste of money, I guess I will have to spend my money on concerts that are worth it.

Thanks to Limberly: The show was fantastic - better this time around than last tour (and they were awesome, last tour, as well).

I thought The Actual was pretty good. The Dream Police cover was great! And Permanent Kitten with the headstock ping was pretty interesting - I liked that. That guy had a lot of energy - he was all over the stage!

Again, VR was fantastic. As my friend kept saying -"phenomenal"! They were. The new songs were great, especially, "This Fight" and "Quick Machines". A lot of great solos by Slash. Scott was all over the place, as usual - great great frontman! Duff and Scott looked and played great. And Dave - love him -he's all over the place, as well, and he & Slash play very well, together.

I stayed down, in the very front, through Fall to Pieces. My one friend got sucked in somewhere, almost from the beginning, and my other friend I was with, wisely, decided to see the show from the first level up from the floor. However, it was way too hot and I could no longer take the huge crush of bodies. People are crazy - pushing and shoving - and you can't move - you just bounce up and down together in one big mass. Luckily, I found my poor friend behind me, somewhere, and we slid out to one of the upper levels and enjoyed the remainder of the show from there.

We had a great time! Can't wait until they come through Michigan, again - I'll be there!

Thanks to atiensivu: I was there with my Happy Cat shirt on. I was in the balcony next to the (disturbingly young) girls with the sign.

Impressions:

The Actual were pretty good. I liked the guitar headstock 'ping' they did during that Etch-a-Sketch song and they won me over with the Dream Police cover. Any band that covers Cheap Trick is OK in my book.

The new VR album sounds like it has a lot of good hooks in it. She Builds Quick Machines will be a good first single I believe. Very memorable chorus.

Set list was exactly the same as Chicago, but I wasn't at Chicago, so that was ok by me!

Thanks to melodyof1974: A great show! I loved seeing them in such a small venue. Evey once in the while sound was a bit scwaltchy but the performance was great! I was so happy to see VR live again. Show started at 9:45. The set list I do not have but it was very similar to the previous shows. Psycho Killer - rocked hard........