Herr Schenker is at a point in his career where anniversaries are coming along as regularly as Glasgow buses. Having been in the business this long, the milestones keep on coming and his year it is Michael’s time in UFO that is under the spotlight being 50 years since he tread the boards with Mogg, Way and the rest of the crew.

Michael has already released his ‘My Years With UFO’ retrospective album which involved a strong supporting cast of guest vocalists and is a great reminder of the pivotal part he played in UFO’s success. His current tour is an extension of this with a set chock full of UFO classics that has had great reviews and cemented the Glasgow show as a ‘must see’ in my calendar.

The gig sold out well in advance and the anticipation prior to the show kicking off was fever pitch. With this in mind, it could have proved a difficult gig for an opening act, but Wytch Hazel took it in their collective stride. Given that the band have been around for the past 14 years, up to this point I was blissfully unaware of the name. It turns out I have some catching up to do as the guys are about to release album number five and given the showing here, it’s a back catalogue I need to investigate further.

The four piece took to the stage and launched into opener ‘The Fire’s Control’ resplendent in long white shirts, white leggings and, in the case of vocalist Colin Hendra, a flowing golden cape. The twin guitar work of Hendra and Alex Haslem was excellent throughout the set and brought to mind flashes of Iron Maiden and Thin Lizzy in parts.

The set was mainly culled from the band’s four albums with highlights including ‘Still We Fight’ and ‘The Devil Is Here’, but we were also treated to three new tracks from the bands forthcoming album ‘Lamentations’ which is due for release on the 4^th July.

The guys brand of classic rock went down a storm with the gathering crowd and by the time they played the last chords of new song ‘Healing Power’ to round off the set they had made a lasting impression. This was an entertaining set from Wytch Hazel and I am sure a few of the crowd will be marking the 4^th July in their diaries awaiting the next instalment of new music from the guys.

With the crowd nicely warmed up the arrival of Michael Schenker and co couldn’t come quick enough. As the lights dimmed and Zep’s ‘Immigrant Song’ pumped from the PA a huge cheer went up. Michael then appeared stage left with his trademark white Flying V in hand and a huge smile plastered on his face taking in the crowd. The rest of the band emerged and cranked out the opening riff to ‘Natural Thing’.

For this tour Michael has enlisted Erik Gronwall for vocal duties and it proves to be an inspired choice as he handles the UFO material with aplomb. ‘Only You Can Rock Me’ followed before ‘Hot and Ready’ summed up the Glasgow crowd nicely.

The opening bars of ‘Doctor, Doctor’ then upped the temperature further as the assembled throng bounced along as one. It still amazes me that that Schenker wrote one of the most memorable and well loved riffs in rock at the tender age of 18, not a bad way to cement your place in rock history!

The joy of this tour is that it allows Michael to dust off some less played gems from the UFO back catalogue. These were interspersed throughout the set alongside bonafide UFO classics. ‘Mother Mary’, ‘I’m A Loser’ and ‘This Kid’ fit into the former category and went down a well with a crowd who were deeply knowledgeable in the UFO back catalogue.

‘Lights Out’ then took us back to more familiar ground with the crowd screaming along in the chorus with Erik who was putting in a great shift up front. Erik then strapped on an acoustic guitar and the pace slowed for a ‘Lipstick Traces’ which then led into ‘Between The Wall’ before finishing off with ‘Belladonna’. That medley proved to be the appetiser for the one of the set highlights in ‘Love To Love’, again with the Glasgow choir on backing vocals.

We were soon back in full rocking mode with the rapid, incessant riff of ‘Let It Roll’ which then steamrollered into ‘Can You Roll Her’. These two tracks also highlighted the fantastic rhythm section of Bodo Schopf on drums and Barend Courbois on bass who were rock solid all evening. Long time guitarist and keyboard player Steve Mann completed the on stage crew and again impressed throughout.

A blast through of ‘Reasons Love’ led us nicely to the closing trio of UFO classics which kicked off with ‘Rock Bottom’. This gave Michael a chance to play an extended solo piece which, from my vantage point on the barrier at the front, was stunning. Being able to watch a master craftsman at work at such close quarters was a joy. It is easy to see why he has been at the top of his game for the last 50 odd years.

‘Shoot, Shoot’ again had Erik encouraging the capacity crowd to sing along, not that much encouragement was needed! ‘Too Hot To Handle’ then brought the set to a rocking end as the Glasgow crowd cheered their heartfelt appreciation of one of the best in the business.

This proved to be a fantastic night of UFO classics from a man that has given so much to rock over the past 50 years. The fact that Michael can still perform these songs live with such vigour and passion is testament to his dedication to his craft.

Too Hot To Handle, you bet!

Review and photos by Dave Wilson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 30 June 2025

THE DAMN TRUTH – Addicted (indie)
MANNIFESTO – Human Kind (indie)
STRIPPING THE PISTOL – Sunshine In The Rain (TLG/Zoid)
SEVEN BLOOD No Breakout (indie)
VAN ROYALE Gold (indie)
MORNINGSTAR Free (indie)
THE VIOLENT HOUR The Violent Hour (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 30 June 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

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