NICKELBACK LIVE IN MANCHESTER – WHAT HAPPENED?

Monday night was all about Canadian rockers Nickelback, probably the darling of the alt rock world. Love them or hate them, the AO Arena was packed with people queuing since late afternoon to get a decent seat at the barrier.

Honestly, I was more excited about the support, excited and very proud. RGM has been following The Lottery Winners since they rose through the ranks to major pop stardom and it’s an absolute joy to witness four of the nicest people you could ever meet embrace this huge venue and no doubt add to their rapidly growing fan base.

Thom’s unique stage presence, part rock star and part stand-up comedian doesn’t fall on deaf ears here, as the crowd add to his tongue-in-cheek humor and ridiculous but adorable on-stage antics. I suspect some fans here tonight bought a ticket just to see these four beautiful people. Their music has broad appeal, but especially to today’s youth, with powerful messages based on Thom’s own struggles with mental health and school life.

Kudos to Nickelback for staying loyal to their locking collar (one that looks up, it’s a belter) and inviting these guys on tour. I highly doubt it will be long before these four headline the arena.

You can always count on the arena for cutting edge technology of epic proportions. Nickelback took the stage via a weird, slightly lame video of their van being chased by the police (I think anyway, since I was pretty far away…).

The crowd warmed up their voices well with a rousing set list from Journey and The Darkness before the gig, a sing-a-long, the way I like to spend my Monday evenings… no, I didn’t join in.

The band were warmly welcomed by this Manchester crowd and launched into ‘San Quentin’ which was made all the more impressive by the visuals on stage. Chad has a decent voice and although the sound quality is spotty here, tonight it seemed to work as the band performed the best of Nickelback to a very appreciative crowd, the highlight being when The Lottery Winners came back and performed the anthem of our city. Don’t Look Back in Anger’ a nice touch considering what happens on Wednesday.

The band played “How You Remind Me” before leaving the stage and returned for a two-song encore of “Gotta Be Somebody” and “Burn it to the Ground.” Overall a great night of Monday entertainment but for me the Lottery winners won this one.

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