Ablaze opened the night with high-energy, fast-paced and catchy songs. Lead singer Danny Slaviero, jumped around onstage and everyone else in the band looked like they were having a fun time, topping off their set with a Stooges cover.
Next came Sisters Doll, opening with their single, ‘All Dolled Up’ before playing a set consisting of many covers from bands including The Clash, Buzzcocks and Blondie. B. Monroe, frontman for the band, joked with the audience after asking how many people had seen Sisters Doll before that there was a few “Sisters Doll virgins” in the audience. They finished with their single ‘Good Day To Be Alive’ and a tribute to Malcolm Young playing the intro to ‘Back in Black’.
Loud cabaret music blasted to bring Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg onstage. Entering the stage by asking the crowd to chant “Hey Ho! Let’s go,” Marky Ramone was ready for a true Ramones performance. Once he was behind the kit, the band launched into ‘Rockaway Beach’, getting everyone dancing. The band transitioned through songs such as ‘Teenage Lobotomy’ and ‘Psycho Therapy’ smoothly with the lead singer having a great stage presence and charisma. Although the lead singer had a great rapport with the crowd during songs, there was no band and crowd interaction in between songs.
Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg’s set was fast and tight. Ramone himself rocked the drums, and even had a short drum solo between ‘Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment’ and ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll High School’. The crowd vibe built during ‘Commando’, peaking with a crazy mosh during ‘Sheena Is A Punk Rocker’, ‘Beat On The Brat’ and ‘I Wanna Be Sedated’. The band performed a fast-paced and heavier version of ‘I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend’ than the original studio recording, which also went down well with the audience and ‘I Believe in Miracles’ featured an epic guitar solo.
After the second encore (what a treat), the band performed their cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain?’ and Joey Ramone’s cover of ‘What A Wonderful World’ originally by Louis Armstrong, which the audience sang loudly along to. They ended their show saving the best for last performing hit song ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ in which the band takes part of its name. And in true Ramones fashion the night ended with a final “Hey Ho, Let’s Go.” It was a show any Ramones fan wouldn’t have wanted to miss.
Highlight: Getting to see all of my favourite Ramones songs performed live.
Lowlight: That there was no band and crowd interaction in between songs.
Crowd Favourite: Every song.
