Ted Nugent – IndigO2 2008

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This show represented guitar hero Nugent’s only UK stop on his Rolling Thunder tour undertaken in support of his new album Love Grenade, and his first appearance in the country since his spot at the 2006 Monsters of Rock Festival.

Support for this one date came from rock ‘n’ roll veterans Quireboys, also supporting their new album Homewreckers & Heartbreakers. A one-off show for them, not part of any full touring, they were clearly enjoying playing for fun. They debuted several songs from the new album alongside some old and unexpected tracks, leaving out 7 O’Clock, unquestionably their biggest hit. It wasn’t really missed as the new songs were all strong, and the chance to hear a couple of less-played old songs was welcomed by those that knew the material. Those that didn’t, didn’t know the difference. Quireboys were lively, fun and, since they’re such a well-oiled professional outfit, flawless. A text-book definition of a warm-up act.

And Uncle Ted is the text-book definition of the headline showman. For the first few songs, sticking entirely to classic tracks from his first three albums, he barely commented, rocking through back-to-back tracks, pulling all the shapes. And of course, when he did speak between songs it was the usual Nugent ranting and raving. With his typically hilarious, brash, over-stereotyped American attitude he happily lambasted the predominantly English audience for their anti-gun laws, early curfews and knife crime problem (which he naturally attributed to a lack of guns)

Ted still maintains that his best guitar licks of all time are the signature riffs to Cat Scratch Fever and Stranglehold, but those have now been surpassed by Love Grenade, the title track to the new album. An album which features several other strong tracks, but unfortunately Ted’s current set doesn’t include any of them. Love Grenade, which he put in the set before the album’s release, remains the only new song, plus a couple from previous album Craveman.

Long-time fans who haven’t seen Ted for a while were more than happy with the old-time set, and in all honesty his performance was superb, particularly during the extended mid-set blues medley. But more new songs would have been nice on a tour supporting the new album. Hopefully he’s come around a little more often now and feel the freedom to change the set a little without disappointing anyone.

As well as Love Grenade Ted also released the live DVD/CD set Sweden Rocks, recorded at the 2006 Sweden Rock festival and next month publishes his latest book ‘Ted, White And Blue: The Nugent Manifesto’, so there’s more to get stuck into for Nugent fans until the next time.

“ the headline showman ”

Quireboys Setlist: Don’t Bite The Hand / Misled / The Finer Stuff / I Love This Dirty Town / Tramps And Thieves / This Is Rock And Roll / Mona Lisa Smiled / Hey You

Ted Nugent Setlist: Snakeskin Cowboys / Wango Tango / Free-For-All / Stormtroopin’ / Dog Eat Dog / KLSTRPHKME / RawDogs WarHogs / I Need You Bad / Weekend Warrior / Wang Dang Sweet Poontang > Mockingbird > Johnny B. Goode > Wang Dang Sweet Poontang / Love Grenade / Baby Please Don’t Go > Geronimo And Me > Baby Please Don’t Go / Soul Man / Hey Baby / Cat Scratch Fever / Stranglehold // Great White Buffalo

Photo(s): Andy Lye

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2008, Gigs, Hard Rock, Quireboys, Ted Nugent