Reviewed by Laura Kate
Tesla; Photo by Derek Brad Photography
When you mention the band Scorpions, certain images immediately come to mind. Leather. The color black. Long poodle-permed hair. Insanely tight pants. And that was just the men that attended the band’s “Final Sting Tour” show. All of that and more were on hand during the Scorpions concert on July 11 at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. The Scorpions and opening act Tesla brought the ‘80’s hair metal fans out of the Philadelphia woodworks for a night of flashy, gritty, hard rocking fun.
There seems to be a certain degree of shame that goes with liking ‘80’s hair metal, usually inflicted by closet hair metal fans that haven’t come to terms with their tendencies to appreciate men with long poofy hair and pre-pubescent voices. Despite this, proud hair band fans braved the weather and the warm venue beer to show their support. This show had a setup fit for a stadium concert, with more speakers and lights than ever seen before at the venue that is most popularly known as the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Scorpions; Photo by Derek Brad Photography
Scorpions; Photo by Derek Brad Photography
Just because Tchaikovsky and Chopin were not on the set list doesn’t mean that the crowd didn’t get to hear the classics. Tesla stirred the crowd up into a scream-singing rendition of “Signs” and the Scorpions ended their set with the best known songs of their 30-year catalog, including crowd favorites “Zoo,” “Still Loving You,” and “Rock You Like a Hurricane.”
The Scorpions have been quoted several times on this tour as saying this is the last tour they will do in the U.S. Happy—or what passes for happy in this subculture–Philadelphia fans crowded the front of the Mann Center orchestra seating section to catch a glimpse of their rock gods, and perhaps a bit of their hazy youths. If you’ve ever seen the movie Wayne’s World, just picture the scene where they go to the Alice Cooper concert. This show was like that, except slightly less crowded. It felt a little silly, but was totally fun. And just like any good mullet, the band was a great blend of business and party. Next time I’ll be sure to pull up in my own Mirth Mobile to show my support.
Rocking like a hurricane; Photo by Derek Brad Photography
Scorpions Setlist
- Sting in the Tail
- Make It Real
- Is There Anybody There?
- The Zoo
- Coast to Coast
- Loving You Sunday Morning
- Rhythm of Love
- Wind of Change
- Holiday
- Raised on Rock
- Tease Me Please Me
- Hit Between the Eyes
- Kottak Attack
- Blackout
- Six String Sting
- Big City Nights
- Still Loving You
- No One Like You
- Rock You Like a Hurricane
S.D. McPhail 