Meat Loaf -  Wembley Arena, 24.1.04

"I would do anything for your love...and I will do that!"

My fiancé bought tickets for the December date for her and her sister.  The gig was postponed and neither her sister nor best friend could make this rescheduled date.  The things we do for love...

As you have probably gathered, I'm not a massive fan of Mr Loaf and his bombastic rock but have to admit that this concert was very good at what it was.  The beginning was like a glorious though thankfully temporary return to the mid 80s - a dramatic entrance, female backing singers with ever decreasing skirts and a guitarist with all the rock moves whose barometer of prowess was the number of notes played per second.

Playing into the hands of the critics, Mr Loaf's first full song was Life's A Lemon which boasts the repetitive chorus "I want my money back".  Not yet Meat, I'll give it a bit longer before demanding a refund!

Having said this though, the singing earlier on was decidedly dodgy though Meat's voice improved considerably as the gig progressed and he was sounding superb towards the end.  The set was a mix of old and new which pleased everybody.  Meat generally seemed more excited about the newer songs though the audience mostly wanted to hear the old classics.  Some of the highlights included a superbly sung version of the aforementioned I Would Do Anything For Your Love, excellent lead and backing vocals on You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth and an excellent All Revved Up With No Place To Go.  This last mentioned song, a pleasantly surprising inclusion, was one of several numbers which Meat improvised with a mid-song story.  Ultimately quite funny on this occasion though his improvisations ruined the flow of Paradise By The Dashboard Light and one or two others.  There were some musical changes too, most notably on a brooding, slower version of Midnight At The Lost And Found.

The band were all excellent and the sound very clear, quite a miracle for this massive venue.  They also gave excellent value, playing for well over two hours. (though with Meat Loaf that doesnt necessarily mean that many songs!) and the Loaf gave his all despite his recent serious illness.

Ultimately, not really my sort of music but I would do anything for her love...and I'm glad I did that.

10/2/04