Mr. Big - NX, Newcastle 19.07.2024

Mr Big are back in town for one last shindig and they aim to leave us all with a fond lasting memory. So despite releasing a brand new album in time for the current run of shows they are concentrating on the 'Lean Into It' album for the bulk of the set and leaving the new songs to be discovered at fans leisure.

However kicking things off they go back to that explosive debut albums’ opener 'Addicted To That Rush' with Billy Sheehans’ distinctive bass tone and fretwork setting the scene for the next two hours of great songs and musician masterclass. This is a song that many a band would keep til the finale or encore but not these guys they want it to have that same impact it had when you first played that album and you sat jaw dropped at not only the guitar and bass interplay from Gilbert and Sheehan but how that didn’t detract from it being a fantastic rock song.

'Take Cover' from 1996’s album 'Hey Man' is up next reminding us that melody is key in this bands writing and it’s not all shredding solos

'The Price You Gotta Pay' lets Eric Martin show that he’s not just a great singer but also an accomplished musician as he gets in close and takes over bass duties during Billy’s bluesy harmonica solo!

And to the main course a huge helping of 'Lean Into It' 10 tracks in all begining with 'Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Drill Song)' always a spectacle to behold with the mid section guitar bass duet played with the hand held electric drills sadly though being song four of the set I wasn’t able to get any close up action in the photo pit one last time BUT thems the breaks.

'Green Tinted Sixties Mind' and 'Just Take My Heart' remind us why bands like Mr Big were able to attract not just hard rock fans and musos to their music creating great power pop ballads alongside the mind blowing shred fests!

The chunky grooves of 'CDFF', 'Lucky This Time', 'Voodoo Kiss' and 'Never Say Never' get the already sweaty throng even hotter with fists pounding feet stomping and hair flailing (well those that still have hair that is) and I’ve said it before but say it again proving these guys have the songs not just tricks!

It has been widely documented that Eric has been struggling on some of these dates due to sickness and they’ve had a back up singer on stage to help out BUT tonight there was no extra personnel and for the most Eric managed admirably, especially as it emerged post gig he had damaged his back the day previous and was in a lot of discomfort. This didn’t stop him from still being one of rocks most affable frontmen though engaging with the crowd and getting them onside from the get go. If there’d been any doubt though during 'To Be With You Sheehan', Gilbert and the Newcastle crowd were on hand to back Eric up 110% raising smiles and cheers all round.

It goes without saying both Paul and Billy’s solo spots bookending a fantastic run through of 'Colorado Bulldog' were simply awesome. Sheehans two handed technique on the frets is still incredible to watch as he twists and turns the instrument almost inside out wringing the notes out! And as for Mr Gilbert his fingers are a blur up and down the guitar neck yet never missing a note. He is an absolute guitar god not only shredding at the speed of light but also being able to play the most beautiful subtle pieces when needed

I first became aware of Billy Sheehan way back when I heard an album by the band Talas and was blown away. So I was over the moon that tonight’s set included their (and David Lee Roths) classic 'Shyboy' sounding fresh and as raucous as it did back in 1982!! (42 years ago!! How’d that happen????)

Sadly like a lot of bands I’ve liked since my younger days tonight is a bittersweet affair as they are saying their farewells as Mr Big but they’re not going quietly and not without having some fun so we have an instrument swap round, Paul now on drums Eric on bass Edu down from the drums on guitar (and having only joined the band recently to fill in for Nick he nailed it all night) leaving Billy on mic duty for the 60s hit 'Good Lovin' originally by The Olympics.

'Baba O’Riley' closes the set a cover that has become as staple in the Mr Big camp as it has with its owners The Who and it’s nuts to watch as Paul plays that sequencer part on his Ibanez when a lot of bands would just flick a switch on a laptop and use a backing track!

So it’s a fond farewell to another band but plenty of good memories and superb songs , every night of the tour dedicated to their lost brother Pat Torpey the heartbeat of the band who sadly passed away in 2018.

I’m sure we will hear more music from respective members and we have the new album 'Ten' to close out their story.

Thank you all for the music.

Photos & Review - G's Gig Shots