The Rave with special guest Voodoo & Queensryche
Queensryche is celebrating their 30 years as a band with a tour of greatest hits from those 30 years. I have been listening to Queensryche since Rage for Order and Operation Mindcrime; was on my Walkman for at least 2 years and played nonstop. Like a movie in my head, while I listen to this CD was what got me into Queensryche as a fan. After they came out with Empire, I felt like this was no longer a secret for a band I listened to everyday.
As time went on, I lost my connection with Queensryche as I listened to other bands and genre of music. So when I heard they were out on tour a couple of years ago but missed it, I made sure to check them out this time around. I was under the impression that with them coming to The Rave, they would be playing the big ballroom, but when I arrived, I saw they would be playing in the smaller room holding about 1,500 which was a little bit of a surprise for me to see.
With just one opening band, Voodoo, they played an inspired 40 minute set to get the crowd ready for the band we all came to see. As the lights dimmed and the double bass drum kit of Scott Rockenfield lit up, the crowd let out a huge roar. Eddie Jackson on Bass and Parker Lundgren on guitar walked on- stage, followed by Rockenfield and Michael Wilton on guitar; they opened the set with Get Started, off the new album release, “Dedicated to Chaos.” They followed this up with Damaged and one of my favorite songs, I Don’t Believe in Love, off Operation Mindcrime.
I have to admit, it was pretty strange and surreal shooting pictures while listening to them play, this live in front of me. Times like these, you sometimes want to put the camera down and rock out instead. Like any fan, I sang along as I shot away. As I moved around the venue, I was able to see all the fans singing along and cheering as loud as I have heard in this room for a few years now.
The setlist was cut short a few songs, so they did not play the 2 hour long show they have been playing at some of the tour stops but they still gave 100% to everyone and played songs like, A Dead Man’s Words which was very powerful and intense as well as, The Right Side of My Mind, Around the World, and Screaming in Digital - another favorite of mine and sounded great live, to go along with the strange and wicked video played in the back ground.
They ended the set with their biggest hit to date, Silent Lucidity. Once the opening chords started from Wilton, the crowd cheered and sang along through the whole song and sounded pretty awesome live. As they left, the crowd awaited the encore, screaming to the top of their lungs and screaming over and over, “Queensryche!” As they came back out, they opened with Jet City Woman followed by Empire. This set the crowd off and after waiting for them to play more of the older songs, the crowd shook the venue.
Tate said this stage was too small for them and at that moment I would have to agree.
They ended the night with Eyes of a Stranger/ Anarchy-X, which left the crowd wanting more. It was a great night of music but I wish they played more of the older songs and more Mindcrime songs, but overall, was a great night of celebrating 30 years from this amazing band.
Tour will be running till the end of September and starting back up in November, with a few select dates in October, so I advise you to go check them out and enjoy the night.
All Photos Provided by Peter Lizano
11 comments
Erik says:
Aug 24, 2011
Amazing pictures of a great band….one of my all time favorite, happy to hear you got to see them after all these years…yep, they can still rock out with the best of em!
starr says:
Aug 24, 2011
Great photos! We re-visited their live show a few years back in Pittsburgh at Metropol. Smaller venue as well. Having seen them many times, including several stops on the Mindcrime tour, I was expecting the show to be less intense. I WAS SO WRONG. I was electric for a week. Queensryche is one of the BEST rock shows I have ever experienced. Whether at a large arena or a smaller venue. These guys are still “blow-you-away” amazing!
david mel says:
Aug 24, 2011
I have stayed in touch with QR over the years unlike this guy. I have seen them on tours from Rage To Soldier …. missed them this year though. One thing you will never come away from a show saying is “Those guys can’t rock anymore”. Scott still amazes me with his creativity & Geoff can still wail. I have met the band also …. they are truly a band of the people. I can’t see them stopping anytime soon.
Kevin Nasky says:
Aug 24, 2011
Huge fan. I, too, forgot about Queensryche for a while, then we saw then at the House of Blue in Cleveland in 2005. Expectation were modest, but then I was completely blown away. Best concert of my life. The intensity was, IMO, unmatched by any other live performance. Likewise with musician ship. Geoff Tate’s voice was amazing. I know this great band has tried, with subsequent albums, but I feel they never achieved their Mindcirme level of greatness. Nevertheless, one of the greatest bands ever.
mary marineau says:
Aug 24, 2011
I am so bummed I missed this show! I’m a huge Queensryche fan! Seen them 4times!the last being in 2003 HOUSE of blues, Chicago! I got Geoff Tates autograph that night! They are a kick ass group of talent and Geoff’s vocal range is outstanding! On top of all that the shows theatrical display is awesome! I did not have a way to get to Milwaukee so unfortunately I missed it! I hope they continue to tour so I can see them again! Awesome photos, thanks for sharing!
nidyl says:
Aug 25, 2011
I seen them at the rave august 21st. I had an extra ticket, so I took my 8 year old daughter to the show, her first show. although the seating is atrocious at the rave, we both thought the show was great.
brendan says:
Aug 25, 2011
seen tham with the prest there on fine form hope they come back to the uk next year great band and great front man
hasije says:
Aug 25, 2011
Awesome photos and a great review
michael says:
Aug 25, 2011
how did you get photos like this, what kind of camera did you use, these are fantastic photos thanx for posting. i am also going to the show in chico ca, on 9/10/11 cant wait.
Robert Peavy says:
Aug 25, 2011
I am personally glad they are playing small venues simply because we get to be closer to the action !!! Allows us to see them and not be sitting in the nose bleed section. The experience is just so much better when you can see their facial expressions and their fingers flying around the guitars. I saw them at The Filmore in Charlotte, NC and they FRIGGING ROCKED !!!
Jane says:
Aug 26, 2011
I have been a fan of Ryche for at least 15 years. Saw many shows in Milwaukee, one in Chicago, and in Vegas. I liked them at the Northern Lights because it was a very intimate venue, but it was great to see them at the Rave and be able to really Rock out. The music was incredible and the band was fantastic as always. Geoff’s voice is unmatched. No one comes close to the show he gives, his stage presence and his powerful voice. I loved the song choices and can’t wait to see them again.