Live Review: KISS, Motley Crue & Thin Lizzy

Perhaps sensing that releasing a new album under the Thin Lizzy moniker would be improper, the veteran Irishmen are heading into semi-retirement while several members soldier on as off-shoot Black Star Riders. Such developments aside, Ricky Warwick's likeable presence and venue-reaching voice, not to mention those trademark three-part guitar harmonies underpinned an all-too-brief, no-frills 45-minute display that got most punters involved. A slew of classic rock favourites in their arsenal helped, too; highlights Jailbreak, Whiskey In The Jar and expected closer, The Boys Are Back In Town.

On the topic of hits, Mötley Crüe had plenty to satisfy any large crowd. The US glammers boasted production values to match; more pyrotechnics than Sydney on NYE, lasers, scantily-clad backing singers, circus performers, Nikki Sixx's fire-shooting bass and Tommy Lee's much-vaunted drum rollercoaster. While a visual spectacle to behold, otherwise they completely went through the motions. Vince Neil has long been one of rock's laziest frontmen, and regularly slurred and skipped over lyrics. Neil's performance may have been related to being rushed to hospital following the following night's show, but most reviews have indicated he had been singing poorly for the entire tour, so it may not have been a factor on this night. Lowest common denominator banter (“Who likes sex?”) didn't help, nor did obvious over-reliance on backing tracks, or axeman Mick Mars looking sicklier than ever. Home Sweet Home disintegrated into a mess of missed cues and apathy. Closing trio, Dr. Feelgood, Girls, Girls, Girls and Kickstart My Heart, finally established a modicum of groove-driven momentum, but too little, too late. Overall, it was well-received by the masses, but soulless.

Celebrating four decades of existence, from opener, Detroit Rock City, onwards Kiss clearly placed more value on a well-rounded rock show. A prancing Paul Stanley's voice has thinned and at times Gene Simmons' own vocals were flatter than the new band-endorsed beer they're peddling. Although Kiss' appeal has never focused on complex musicianship, reliable guitarist Tommy Thayer (assuming lead vocal duties on new track, Outta This World) and drummer Eric Singer provided a strong foundation. Much stage patter and theatrics – deafening explosions, Simmons breathing fire, spitting blood and performing I Love It Loud from the rafters, Stanley flying over the crowd or raining confetti during Rock and Roll All Nite – are predictable, age-old manoeuvres. But as renowned journalist Glenn A. Baker remarked to this reviewer, they're the ultimate crowd-pleasers. Reintroduced cuts (Crazy Crazy Nights, Psycho Circus) further freshened up the set-list. Despite a few audience grumbles (I Was Made for Lovin' You being omitted) and remaining the kings of shameless marketing, as the rapturous reception reinforced, few do big, dumb but infectious arena-rock quite like them.