Edguy – Islington Academy 2010

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Although just over a year after their last UK tour, Edguy’s return was very much “by popular demand” this year. With no new album since 2008′s Tinnitus Sanctus they are still touring that record and this second round of UK shows was booked based on the success of the last run.

Following disappointing Iron Maiden-by-numbers special guests White Wizzard wasn’t very hard at all for the now-experienced Germans who enjoyed another near-capacity crowd despite no new material since last time they played the same venue. They changed their setlist around in the Summer of last year for their festival run, so by keeping it for this tour they ensured they didn’t repeat themselves too much for anyone who attended last January.

Edguy, and front-man Tobias Sammet in particular, never deliver a dull show. Their live consistency is part of what has brought them the popularity they’ve carved out, and this show was no different. Sammet’s liveliness, even in the confines of the small Islington Academy stage, are a constant focal point, and they could probably get away with playing the same set every year if they really wanted to, but thankfully they do make changes.

And apart from continuing to showcase some songs from Tinnitus Sanctus (although the excellent The Pride of Creation was missing this time), and a few ever-green “hits” like Lavatory Love Machine, Superheroes and King of Fools, most of the rest of the set was changed. The Piper Never Dies and Tears of The Mandrake proved to be very popular choices with the slightly older fans, and those who tuned in with 2005 breakthrough album (in the UK, anyway) Rocket Ride rapturously received Sacrifice and Fucking With F***.

Sammet rolled out a lot of the obligatory crowd-pleasing clichés between songs, but took every opportunity to humorously mock his band-mates as well and proved the consummate showman. Edguy will be back again in August for the Bloodstock festival, between two sets of dates opening for Scorpions on their farewell tour.

“ never deliver a dull show ”

Setlist: Dead Or Rock / Speedhoven / Tears of A Mandrake / Lavatory Love Machine / Vain Glory Opera / The Piper Never Dies / Ministry of Saints / Drum solo > Superheroes / Save Me / Fucking With F*** // Sacrifice / Babylon / The Trooper (snippet) / King of Fools

Written by Andy Lye
More: Gigs, Power Metal, Edguy