It’s been 10 years since the last time SCORPIONS played in front of their Estonian (and many Finnish) fans, yet the atmosphere was hot as hell at Lauluväljak, and not just because of the summer weather. On tour supporting “Rock Believer,” the German rockers were accompanied by Eurovision contestant and Estonian Idol winner Alika Milova, a.k.a. ALIKA, who gave a warm performance as the impressive arena was starting to fill up.
Along, of course, with her Eurovision song “Bridges,” ALIKA‘s set was aptly tuned towards the more rock-oriented audience, who could appreciate, among other songs in her repertoire, even a cover of “Personal Jesus.” The artist spent quite some time interacting with the crowd during the show, heating up the audience before the main course.
Everything was a bit delayed in regard to the original schedule, but things went smoothly and it wasn’t long before SCORPIONS made their entrance to the notes of “Gas in the Tank” from the latest record. Grampa Klaus Maine still looked healthy and always on the ball, also thanks to the set allowing him few moments here and there to take a breather. Rudolf Schenker was the most active of all, still moving and jumping around the stage like he was 20 years younger, switching guitars as called by the occasion – noting at some point his trademark muffler attachment, with smoke all over the stage – while halfway through the show, Ingo Powitzer also got some of the spotlight playing guitar in “Delicate Dance,” and of course Mikkey Dee got to show off his skills during his eye catching drum-solo, with visuals adding sparks flying every time he hit the drums, and a final jackpot machine throwing up loads of money (the band certainly didn’t cut corners around the production for this tour).
When Maine was not busy dispensing drumsticks to the fans, he was encouraging them to sing along, for example during “Wind of Change” (with the edited lyrics in support of Ukraine and included message of peace). “Big City Nights” offered a small break before the explosive encore with “Still Loving You” and of course “Rock You Like A Hurricane.” The band did get the thousands of people here – of all ages and many different generations (there were entire families) – to rock their asses throughout the night. After many, many, many, many years of career, they’ve still got it.
The best thing about an outdoor gig in a summer night like this was that by the time the band finished, it was still possible to walk back to town by the shore and enjoy the beautiful dusk and the reflection on the water of the Baltic Sea. Really, a night to remember.
ALIKA
SCORPIONS
