Black Stone Cherry / Whitesnake / Def Leppard - Odyssey Arena 21/06/08

An ungodly start time of 6.50pm meant that Black Stone Cherry hammered out an impressive set to a virtually empty arena – a situation not helped by ludicrous security arrangements that delayed entry for up to an hour in some cases. Nevertheless, the young Kentuckians displayed no lack of enthusiasm in delivering their southern-tinged heavy-riffing that has just enough melody in the mix to broaden their fan base beyond the average metal-fan. Expect Black Stone Cherry to be headlining somewhere near you soon.


Whitesnake hit the stage after a surprisingly low-key build-up but immediately hit their stride with a barnstorming Best Years – the first of four tracks from new album Good To Be Bad all of which fitted seamlessly within a set list rich in gems mined from the band’s 30 year history. It quickly became clear that this is incarnation of Whitesnake is not so much a band as a vehicle for the David Coverdale show. The largely anonymous supporting players were allowed only the briefest of excursions onto the projecting stage platform which was almost exclusively the domain of King David. Not that anyone was complaining though – the voice may not be what it once was but there can be very few frontmen alive that can match him for sheer stage presence. Personally I think there is something just plain ‘wrong’ with a 50+ man who thinks his microphone is a dick, but the number of ladies’ undergarments that made it into the stage indicates that not everyone feels that way. DC controlled that stage and the Belfast crowd with practiced aplomb; savouring every minute of it like it could be the last – and if that turns out to be the case then he could leave us no sweeter memories.



Whilst Def Leppard were billed as co-headliners with the mighty ‘Snake, we were left in no doubt as to who the main attraction was. Their sound was both louder and of better quality than that permitted to Whitesnake and they made full use of the rear projection screen - running videos during their performance with Whitesnake having to make do with a couple of static album covers. I for one found this a little difficult to stomach given Coverdale’s richly deserved pre-eminence in the history of rock, but despite this, and a slight existing antagonism towards the band, I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed Leppard’s set. Yes, they lack the quality of song and depth of emotion to provide a truly fulfilling experience but this was all about sing-along, join-in-the-chorus crowd-pleasing and they worked hard to deliver it. A Belfast crowd already whipped into a frenzy by Whitesnake almost exploded in response as hit after hit rolled off the production line. I can recall no stronger a crowd reaction from a Belfast crowd since the drought of live bands ended post-troubles – and it was richly deserved.