January 23, 2005 - London, England - The Carling Apollo Hammersmith

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General Information

Date: January 23, 2005
Location: London, England
Venue: The Carling Apollo Hammersmith; Queen Caroline Street; London, W6 9QH England [ Venue website ]
Box Office Number: (+44) (0870) 606 3400
Additional Info: Special Guests: The Datsuns. 'Five To One', a Doors cover was performed for the first time.

Set List

• Sucker Train Blues
• Do It for the Kids
• Headspace
• Superhuman
• Crackerman
• Illegal I
• Dirty Little Thing
• Fall to Pieces
• Big Machine
• It's So Easy
• Sex Type Thing
• Set Me Free
• Used to Love Her
• You Got No Right
• Mr. Brownstone
• Slither
• Five to One

Reviews (20) [ send in your own review/pictures of the London show ]

Thanks to Dafydd Jones : What can I say pure ectasy in music. Can anyone agree when they hear Velvet Revolver their knees woble or is it just me? Amazing band, when Slash wears his hat I feel complete (NOT TO SOUND LIKE A FREAK). But this gig was brilliant and I'm praying there at Download next year cos I'll be there and I want to seeeeeeee them so bady. p.s- if Slash was a woman I would happily creep into bed with him goodbye fans asta lavista BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to Henry: It was an amazing gig and I got last minute tickets on the Saturday for 25 quid and I was 4 meters from the front!!!

Thanks to Flavio: This is the final show of a 5-night sell-out in London before Velvet Revolver head to Asia for the 3rd part of this mammoth world tour. The excitement is palpable - although Velvet Revolver's debut album 'Contraband' pressed all the right buttons it was by no means a classic. Velvet Revolver have been a riding high on a wave of popularity in no small part due to a new fan base of younger rockers who missed G n' R first time round and 30 something G n' R fans hoping to bottle a little left-over magic from the last time G n' R were in town, 15 years ago. It's a testament to Velvet Revolver that the Apollo is crammed with a 50-50 mix of young and 'old'.

'Sucker train Blues' rumbles around like a loose atom to open the show up. It's great start. 'Do it for the kids' and 'Headspace' also do the business but the show looses pace as Velvet Revolver trawl through 2 more album tracks and STP classic' 'Crackerman'. Ironically, the gentle 'Fall to Pieces' brings things back on track. You certainly get your money's worth with Weiland - the lanky front man looks and sounds as volatile as any rock singer could and should do. STP's 'Sex Type Thing' sounds better than the original.

The G n' R covers arrive towards the end of the evening and they are well worth the wait. 'It's so easy' is blissfully sleazy rock n roll of the highest grade - it's obvious that the band feel the same way - Slash and Duff leaning into each others parts like old friends. 'Used to love her' still a wonderfully odd choice of song to play surprises YET AGAIN by surpassing expectations. 'You got no right' sees Slash donning his twin neck Guild and it's nice interlude until 'Mr Brownstone' is teased in by drummer Matt Sorum and it's enough to get a hint of that Brownstone beat to send the Hammersmith crowd into a frenzy. Goosebumps a plenty as Slash launches into that riff and Duff, Matt, Dave Kushner and Weiland do justice to an undeniable classic. If the whole set was as good as these songs it would be mind-blowing - oh, that'll be a Guns n' Roses gig then.

Everything after Brownstone seems like an anticlimax, 'Slither' a good song in it's own right and one of the best from Contraband, has been dwarfed by 'Brownstone' and simply cannot fill its shoes. The Doors' 'Five to one' cover is miss-placed and unnecessary.

So, where does this leave Velvet Revolver? Let's be clear, at times - they were awesome but some of their original material is lacking. Roll on record no.2! While Axl keeps twiddling his thumbs and a new 'G n' R album continues to be nothing but hearsay it's great to be able to go out and hear Slash and co playing at all. Rock n' f'n Roll!!

Thanks to Herman Kim: Flawless show with a flawless crowd. Amazing stuff...Slash was the highlight.

Thanks to Hoggs: Everyone has already said everything about how great it was HOWEVER no one has noted the fact that JIMMY PAGE was there!!!! Me and my brother both believe we spotted him backstage as did some others around us. Highlights of set You've Got No Right and Five To One! Better show than the Birmingham show due to venue and better sound level!

Thanks to Richard: AMAZING! Did Sex Type Thing and Crackerman again!!!! I love those songs! Did some Guns covers like Used To Love Her, It's So Easy and Mr Brownstone. Played some excellent Velvet Revolver stuff like Set Me Free and Do It For The Kids. IT WAS SO GREAT!!!!! But then they did...

5 TO 1!!!!! And I think that is the first time they have covered that live! Not sure tho! But still WHAT A GREAT NIGHT!!! Velvet Revolver ROCK!!!!!!!!

Thanks to Massimo DiMatteo: 9/10 - Tonight sees the final show in a sold out U.K. tour in support of their multi million selling debut album 'Contraband'. Velvet Revolver, the bastardised love child of Guns 'n Roses, Stone Temple Pilots and Wasted Youth. Who would have guessed it back in the nineties?Rocks very finest came together to record a song for the Hulk soundtrack and then went onto record an album inspired by sex, drugs, alcohol and Paris Hilton. It was a hard, fast and loud rock record and this is exactly how Velvet Revolver make there entrance on stage with opening number 'Sucker Train Blues'. Bassist Duff Mckagens' lean figure stands admirably on the stage monitors as he flicks out the opening riff under heavy spotlight. The two huge projectors either side of the stage displaying images of scantily clad ladies, guns, motorbikes and other relevant imagery. Slash's mop of curls appears, his guitar complimenting Duff's bass and the drums of Matt Sorom. As the stage explodes and the whole theatre erupts Scott Weiland appears in tight leather trousers and eggs the crowd into a wild frenzy before belting into the first verse. Matt Sorums drums booming as Slash's guitar licks engulf the auditorium. After only 30 seconds it is clear Velvet Revolver are exercising their right to rock. Second on the setlist tonight is 'Do It For The Kids'. Clearly a favourite as the crowd assists Scott Weiland with his singing as do Duff and Matt. 'Illegal I Song', 'Dirty Little Thing' and all the other instant classics from Contraband join the show. There's a change of guitars while drums belonging to 'Big Machine' reign out and the audience whips themselves into another craze. Above the band is twenty foot lettering spelling out the name of the band in red neon lights as it showers everyone on stage in its warm glow.

The odd G'n'R classic is added to beef up the setlist. 'Its So Easy' being a suitable choice as the crowd reacts well. Coming to the end of the show and you are left with the feeling rock has gone back to its roots; although it's not over yet. The first encore has Scott Weiland and Slash on stools as the ballad 'Fall To Pieces' is beautifully delivered by Scott Weilands' warm heart felt vocals. Surprisingly, not only are we treated to a second encore comprising of one of Matt Sorum's drum solo's featuring a very recognisable beat from 'You Could Be Mine' of G'n'R leading onto 'Slither' the bands first single, but we are blessed with a third encore! All in all this show included everything essential to a rock fans staple diet. It had energy, passion, loud guitars, sweat, hair, more hair and five of the biggest stars in rock. Velvet Revolver are here to stay. They need the money, that's for sure. And no one can stop them. R'FNR.

Thanks to Jimmy (dangleberrys.tk): What can I say, it was an amazing show. Everything I hoped and more seeing my idiol Slash play that guitar like a bad MF!! Scott's stage presence was just amazing. The crowd was insane, for the first couple of songs people were just going back and forth and for a little guy like me, I was getting crushed! The sound was incredible and loud. They played most of their songs of their debut album not to mention three G n R's songs which went down really well with the crowd. Best gig I've been to, gonna be hard to top that 10/10.

Thanks to Roo: Did anyone else see Slash almost stack it when he jumped on to the speakers? He was a lucky monkey he didn't land on his arse!! Excellent, excellent gig. An amazing show by an amazing band. Good work fellas!!

Thanks to David Gurung: The gig was fuckin awsome!!!!! The first gig I've been to in my life and I was absolutely amazed at the volume those Marshall 4 by 12 cabs can make!!! Slash and co entertained the crowd to the point of the fans almost crushing each other to get to the front. My fave part was where Slash and Dave had a little solo battle absolutely awesome!!! I'm definitely getting tickets to their next tour of London!

Thanks to Berny_hunt: This was my first ever gig and the atmostphere was amazing! When the lights dimmed and the Velvet Revolver logo appeared on the screen the crowd went wild! Then Sucker Train Blues was playing and everyone was screaming and shouting! Fall To Pieces was brilliant, they were all on top from spesh' Scott! The best gig I can guarantee! I love you Slash.

Thanks to Sally: Amazing - We were almost in tears when we had to leave, definately the best gig I have ever been to! When I heard the opening to It's So Easy I almost fainted I was so happy! I'm so glad that the lads are back at what they do best... this band has it all - brilliant songs and the five greatest rock legends in the business! Thanx for a great night. Rock N' Fuckin' Roll!!!!!!!!

Thanks to www.raysgigs.com: 21/22/23 Jan 2005 Velvet Revolver last 3 shows of UK tour, Brixton Academy and two Ham Apollo. Velvet Revolver back in London after their two shows here in London a couple of weeks ago. In the end I ended going to all five London shows. Each night though the band turned up late at the venue which meant there were a few boos in the far too long gap of 60 mins between the end of The Datsuns set and start of the Velvet Revolver set. The shows this weekend were much better than the warm up shows a fortnight ago . The band were tighter and the crowd were the hard core fans who were the first to buy tickets when they went on sale. Pretty much the same set as a couple of weeks ago. Plenty of great songs like 'Fall To Pieces' and 'Big Machine' along with three Guns And Roses tunes (see previous review ). The Brixton show was the best of the bunch and tonight was the only night on the tour they played Sex Pistols 'Bodies' and dedicated it to Pistols bassist Glen Matlock who was in the crowd tonight. The following two nights at Hammersmith Apollo were excellent as well. The Sunday show was finished off by The Doors track '5 To 1' .The band themselves were totally blown away by how popular they are here. They are a great live rock n roll band. Have a look at the website www.raysgigs.com to see what happened backstage

Thanks to Wayne Carter: Not much to say about this show, just that it was FUCKING AMAZING

Thanks to Tracy: Fucking wicked!! What else can I say, Slash and Scott Weiland on the same stage it's a perfect match!! Well done guys, showing the shitty bands around today how it should be done.

PS...the shirts off for the second encore was a fab touch for the ladies in the audience!!

Thanks to Tom Draper: Fucking awesome, yet again.

Thanks to Ian Coleman: Velvet Revolver on fire! An un-beleivable performance form a bunch of amazing musicians! We traveled 1500 miles to see this show and it was worth every damn minute!! The guys were so full of energy and gave a lot to the crowd and each other! They played a great Velvet Revolver set with some STP, the Doors and Guns. Slash as usual had a great performance. Scott was really great with the crowd and the vocals came across suberb! Matt just drove the whole show like the power house that he is! (they could have fitted it "The Blame Game!"). Duff was really strong, complementing the guitars and vocals like a true pro, while Dave provided a really steady rhythm which was tight and kept it all together. The cameras at the venue were a really great bonus, allowing the crowd some great close ups and inter-action with the band! A truly amazing show, my personal high-light of many years of rock shows!!! Can't wait their return! (And to Dublin too!!)

Thanks to Samantha Pugh: OMIGOD!!!! It was my 1st rock gig and I don't think I will ever be the same. I was absolutely blown away.. Scott's stage presence was phenomenal and Slash's guitar playing perfect. My older brother had waited since his teens to see Slash play live and he was in awe. I loved the GnR songs they played and especially the Velvet Revolver Songs 'Fall to Pieces', 'Slither', 'Dirty Little thing' and 'You got no Right'. I also particulary loved it when Duff took his shirt off he has such an amazing body!!!!! The band came on later then planned but once they got going it was amazing. The Datsuns I thought may have been not good but I quite enjoyed their set. I was singing along to every song.....and will definatly go and see them again

Velvet Revolver rocks....can't wait for the next tour.

Thanks to Patrice: Nice concert as usual, we had a special treatment tonight they played 5 to 1 from The Doors as their last song for the European tour. Paul Cook drummer from the Sex Pistols was there tonight.

Thanks to L J Wilson: Amazing gig, bit annoyed about only seeing half of Datsuns, who were excellent, made a change from counting the seconds whilst Backyard Babies were on last year! They played Mr. Brownstone as well, which was nice. Who knows maybe they will be playing Sweet Child Of Mine and Welcome To The Jungle on the next tour?