May 13, 2005 - Scranton, PA - Ford Pavilion At Montage Mountain

[ back to Concert Chronology 2005 ]

General Information

Date: May 13, 2005
Location: Scranton, PA
Venue: Ford Pavilion At Montage Mountain; 1000 Montage Mountain Road; Scranton,PA 18507 [ Venue website ]
Box Office Number: 570-961-9000
Additional Info: Special Guests: Modern Day Zero and Hoobastank

Thanks to Andrew B. for the set list!

Set List

• Sucker Train Blues
• Do it For The Kids
• Headspace
• Superhuman
• Crackerman
• Illegal I
• Fall To Pieces
• Dirty Little Thing
• Big Machine
• It's So Easy
• Sex Type Thing
• Set Me Free
• Wish You Were Here
• You Got No Right
• Mr. Brownstone
• Slither

Reviews (24) [ send in your own review/pictures of the Scranton show ]

Thanks to Lloyd Shaffer: Def. worth the hour and a half drive from where I live in NY. I saw Guns N' Roses in Albany a few years when Axl was with Buckethead and it was an amazing show. But honestly seeing Slash solo was insane and I loved this show 10 times more than the fake GNR. Too bad Axl is gone but oh well Scott kicks ass and I can't wait to see these guys put on another crazy show.

Thanks to Patrick: Kick ass show!!! Was really great to see those guys playing live again. Great album want another and would definetly go see them again and again.

Thanks to vrjersey30d: The show was amazing. My buddy and I decided to get the 5 star package and it was well worth it. Soundcheck was really cool. It started out with Dave, Duff, and Slash. Then for some unknown reason Slash came down and signed 1 autograph for everyone in our group. It was outstanding. I yelled to Slash to play the new song from the Fantastic Four soundtrack and he laughed and said "were you at our last gig?". He said something else but I didn't quite hear him. I didn't care, it was just cool to actually talk to the guy. I yelled "Hi!" to Dave when he had his back towards us and he turned around and waved back. It was just so cool seeing these guys. I have pics too and I hope they turn out ok and I'll post them. Unfortunately the pics I got at soundcheck are not on a digital camera. But the ones from the concert are. I really hope they turn out ok. Oh ya, then when they were done at soundcheck, Matt came out and played drums for a bit. It was just an incredible experience. I was right up front against the fence for both soundcheck and the concert. When Scott came running out for Sex Type Thing, I was able to pat him on the arm. I thought that was fucking awesome as well. Seeing these guys that close is just simply amazing. The setlist was pretty much the same from prior shows. I can't remember the order or exactly what songs they played because I was pretty bombed. But I had such a great time. Can't wait to see them again. I would definitley do the 5 star experience again.

Thanks to Jesse Vipond from Electric City: The Ford Pavilion at Montage Mountain was locked and loaded last Friday night as hard rock super group Velvet Revolver ushered in the 2005 concert season with a definitive BANG!

The "Electric Wonderland Tour," began with a heavy 30-minute set from Modern Day Zero, filled with dropped - D guitars and screaming vocals. The still sparse crowd, most of which was hanging around the beer tents and bathrooms, began to file in when Grammy Award-winning Hoobastank took the stage. After deciding that the Ford Pavilion was actually in Scranton, rather than Wilkes-Barre, singer Doug Robb suggested that his band was the "appetizer to Velvet Revolver's main course."

Hoobastank pleased the growing crowd with a 45 minute set that included hits like "Crawling in the Dark," "Running Away," and rock radio's biggest single of 2004, "The Reason."

However, the crowd of about 7,500 reached fever pitch at 9:35 when former Guns 'n' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagen, Matt Sorum, friend Dave Kushner, and Stone Temple Pilots front man Scott Weiland strolled onstage bathed in swirling red lights. They wasted no time before ripping into "Sucker Train Blues," the opening cut from their multi-platinum debut, "Contraband." Weiland resembled a psychedelic Captain Stubing in a white sport coat and captain's hat, strutting back and forth across the stage with his trademark megaphone in hand.

And the band did not relent one bit, chugging along with more album cuts like "Do it For the Kids," "Headspace," and "Superhuman." The crowd was in a frenzy by the time they got to "Fall to Pieces," a hit single that soars as high as the highest note Slash could reach on his trusty Les Paul guitar. Slash even paused for a moment to reminisce about a time he spent nearby at "some love motel in the Poconos."

However, the most explosive moments came when the band pulled off rockin' covers of their old bands like G n R's "It's so Easy," as well as Pilots songs like "Sex Type Thing," and "Crackerman."

After an hour set and one encore, including an acoustic "Wish You Were Here" ala Pink Floyd, many thought that the night had concluded. WRONG! Revolver returned to the stage for an uncommon second encore of "Mr. Brownstone," wrapping things up with a snake bite version of "Slither."

It was obvious from the sea of Velvet Revolver shirts that the crowd was there to see this group of rock legends, and Montage Mountain proved to be quite the amicable host. Traffic was minimal as two lanes snaked up and down Montage Mountain Road before and after the show. Food and beverages were a plenty and the multiple Port-A-John's provided easy access to the latrine. Yet, without a doubt, Velvet Revolver's "Electric Wonderland" tour was an exciting and appropriate concert to shoot us headlong into this summer's concert season.

Thanks to RICH I: Velvet Revolver in a college town, hot chicks and rock-n-fucking-roll..doesn't get any better! Unless you slip a hot blond working the pit 20 bucks and get 5 feet from rock gods!! This is my 4th show for this Hersey boy, who is re-living the 80's. I said it before and I'll say it again, Scott is the perfect match for this band! Going out in the crowd and talking about family and trust was one of the coolest things I ever saw! Wish You Were Here was just as good as Surrender from Cheap Trick they ended in the Starland Ballroom in NJ back in July. Thanks again guys for a great nite of R-N-F-R!!! See in Jersey on the 20th!
P.S. Thanks to the guys in the pit, damn good time and there is no where else to be. 4th show in the fucking pit!!! Awesome.

Thanks to Jim Short: 5 rows back 2 hours after the warm ups. I then to rose from my seat to jump around to the best kick ass rock around Velvet Revolver 05 Contraband tour. This was such a spectacular show it was unbeatable. Scott going in to the crowd and talkin to the crowd. Listening to music and having it pump You Got No Right the fuck up so you sweat bullets. Awesome show guys can't wait for the next album.

Thanks to Dave: Having lived thru the blitz of Iggy Pop music most of my life. I knew that Velvet Revolver had captured the True Rock and Roll. Depth to their music when they played Friday night. The band played - all out - all night - like Iggy.

They had the audience completely from the beginning.
I wish I was on the road with them daily, as they sweep across the country.

Thanks to Bead girl :): WOW - what a show! My 2nd time seeing them (Philly was 1st prior to the CD release). That was special however this beats all!!

The band, the set list, the venue!! It all KICKED!! Scott in the crowd was OUTRAGEOUS!! He wore a strand of my beads for the remainder of the show! Quite a thrill for me!! If anyone has pictures please post them....Much appreciated!!
It cannot get much better than this! I am still riding it!! Thank you Slash, Scott, Duff, Matt & Dave!! Take care of each other. ROCK ON Velvet Revolver & all of you fans!!! Until next time.... :)

Thanks to Mike Gaeta: This truly was an excellent performance, the whole band was amazing and tight like a tiger. The stage show was full of energy. Scott Weiland and Slash made the show for me. Scott Weiland looked like an evil serpentine figure with his snakelike movement in those tight black pants, metal spikes, tatoos, officer hat and aviator sunglasses. Let's face it folks.....Scott Weiland is the greatest frontman to ever set foot on stage. And yes, Scott can sing GnR songs better than Axl ever could. I'll put it right up there with the top three shows I've ever seen.

Thanks to Pete C: My first time seeing Velvet Revolver and my first concert at Montage Mountain and it was one helluva memorable night. Hoobastank put the crowd in the perfect mood for a rock show, and that's what they got. Velvet Revolver rocked from beginning to end - for me personally, it was the best concert I've seen since The Who in '96. The sound was great...the lights were great and best of all, it was loud. The band was crisp and tight - after all these months of touring, they have things honed to perfection. The energy was awesome - they never let up for one second. Slash and Duff were in vintage form - Slash even broke out the 12-stringer for Wish You Were Here. I was about 20 feet away and watching Slash and Duff play next to each other, you could almost picture Guns N' Roses, circa 1988. Scott even looked like Axl at times - shirtless, skinny, tattooed up and wearing the SS hat. He even went off on an Axl-like rant in the middle of the show, and surfed in the crowd during Slither. The last two songs - Mr. Brownstone and Slither, left me speechless. I was sorry to see it end, but look forward to great things from them in the future.

Thanks to Velvet Revolver_Scott Lover: OMG!! That concert in Scranton of Velvet Revolver was incredible!!

Absolutely they are the best band alive.. and I really liked the ready to rock n'fuckin roll sign.. it was the coolest. I hope I could come see them perform again, considering I'd do almost anything to meet them (especially Scott) wow I love Scott he is the hottest eva. Well anyway Velvet Revolver KICK ASS!!!! THE BEST CONCERT EVER. I'M SOOOO GLAD I WAS THERE!!!!!

Thanks to Doreen: I took 6 teenagers to see this show. All were in awe. Scott's performance was great. The whole band was great. This show is what rock is all about. Now these kids know what a great rock band and great music is supposed to be. I think when they go to see other bands they will be disappointed because they have seen the best. Great show ..keep up the great work Velvet Revolver.

Thanks to Superman with Velvet Revolver: Incredible show. I still don't know why they picked Scranton, but the venue turned out to be a really good one. Every aspect of the show was amazing but my favorite parts were of course the songs I hadn't yet heard them play (Superhuman, DLT, YGNR, Wish You Were Here). Can't wait to see them again next year or hopefully even sooner!

Thanks to Rebecca Lawrence: Velvet Revolver was in top form. I'd have to say was the best show I have seen to date. And to see Scott shake his thing again was just a great time, would see this show over and over again.

Thanks to Niki: The concert was awesome! It was only my 2nd one but it was my favorite of the 2. All the songs sounded great plus I got to see my favorite band for the first time and I was like 20 feet from the stage! Slash did awesome on the guitar and Scott couldn't have sounded better! I also thought it was really neat that Scott got off the stage and went into the crowd! The lights were also awesome and I got to hear my favortie song Fall To Pieces live. I was lovin it! Velvet Revolver did an excellent job and I would definetly go back to see them again!! Hopefully soon!

Thanks to Adam Byrne: This is the first concert I have ever gone to and I'm not sure if any other concert I will go to can match up to this one. It was simply amazing. I loved the Pink Floyd cover of Wish You Were Here. There was never a dull moment. The images of Slash and Scott are still burned in my memory and will be forever. They rock and that's all I have to say about that...

Thanks to Josh McAuliffe from Scranton Times: What do you get when you mix one part Stone Temple Pilots with three parts Guns 'N Roses?

Answer: A hard rock cocktail with plenty of bite.

Velvet Revolver, the super group comprised of ex-G&R members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum and former STP frontman Scott Weiland (as well as guitarist Dave Kushner), kicked off the summer concert season at Ford Pavilion at Montage Mountain on Friday night with a hearty dose of fist-pumping, no-holds-barred rock.

An estimated crowd of 7,500 turned up at the mountain despite decidedly non-summer-like temperatures.

The night got off to a healthy start around 8:15 p.m., when Hoobastank, the modern rockers responsible for last year's biggest rock radio hit, the power ballad"The Reason," took the stage.

In its 45-minute minute set, the band, whom lead vocalist Doug Robb referred to as"a giant appetizer for Velvet Revolver's main course," put together a rambunctious performance that contained all of its hits, including"Crawling in the Dark,""Running Away" and, you guessed it,"The Reason."

Overall, it was a solid warm-up from Mr. Robb and company.

Forty-five minutes later, at 9:35, the main attraction strutted on stage, bathed in flashy red lights.

Within seconds, they tore into"Sucker Train Blues," a pulverizing blast of noise from the band's debut album,"Contraband." Mr. Weiland, looking like a demented sea captain in a white coat and sailor's cap, swaggered energetically around the stage with a mischievous sneer on his face.

"We are Velvet Revolver and we play (bleeping) rock and roll," he bellowed as the first number came to an end.

That, they do. From there, the band tore through one high-octane number after another, including"Do it For the Kids,""Headspace," the STP nugget"Crackerman" and"Superhuman," the lyrics of which reference drugs and alcohol, subjects these guys know all too well from their hard-partying pasts.

Although at times it was a little difficult to hear him above the instrumentation, Mr. Weiland's voice was strong and his patented stage presence was top-notch.

Meanwhile, the band's other top attraction, Slash, aka Saul Hudson, nonchalantly laid out one dirty, yet irresistible guitar lick after another.

All in all, it made for a spectacle any hardcore rock fan could enjoy. And a good start to summer of music on the mountain.

Thanks to Blaze P.: Amazing show! Best frickin show I have seen in my life. The lights were amazing and they sounded better than I actually expected for a live show. It so awesome that Scott came into the crowd and stopped right next to me. Duff and Slash were awesome I finally got to see my favorite bassist and guitarist play and the solo Matt did was sweetnes. I like the whole megaphone thing to that Scott did!!!

I will definitely be back next time they come to the area!!!!!

Thanks to Nadine: The best concert I have ever been to! I was truly blown away! Everything was awesome and Scott Weiland rocks!!

Thanks to Brent Kosling: This was my second Velvet Revolver show and it was even better than the first. Hoobastank was pretty good but the anticipation for Velvet Revolver was unbearable. There wasn't a very long wait, which surprised me because last time there was about an hour and a half wait. Slash's solos were amazing as usual. During Sex Type Thing Scott came off the stage and through the crowd and was held up by some fans and security so everyone could see him. He made a speech about Rock N Roll. During Fall to Pieces, the Rock N Roll backdrop fell to reveal a giant neon Velvet Revolver sign. Set Me Free was amazing, as they extended it to almost 10 minutes with solos from both Slash and Dave. Matt had a short (about a minute long) drum solo, the crowd went nuts when he played the intro to You Could Be Mine. Then he broke into Mr Brownstone and everyone lost it.

This was an amazing show, no doubt about it!

Thanks to Dan Budnick: Great show in Scranton last night! Slash was even better then I expected. Big Machine and Dirty Little Thing sounded incredible. Also did a nice version of "Wish You Were Here". Played a few GNR and STP songs too, which was alot of fun. Check them out if you get a chance!

Thanks to Brian B: Great show. They did play Crackerman and it got a huge response. It was my third show of theirs that I've been to and it was the best. You Got No Right was amazing. So was Dirty Little Thing. Scott is insane. I can't believe he did that whole trust speech in the audience. I also liked how the rock and fucking roll sign had jizz stains on it I thought that was classy haha. The sound was close to being perfect, but there were times when either the vocals or the solos couldn't be heard. Overall great show and I'll definitely go back for a fourth time.

Thanks to Mike Tripicco: All in all it was an incredible show. Much better performance than when I saw them in Philly last year (although I did get Scott's autograph then), mainly because back then they hadn't released the record yet and I didn't know most of the songs. Honestly this was probably my favorite live performance I have seen thus far for reasons: 1. I got to see Scott Weiland, my musical idol for the second time. 2. I crowd surfed during the final chorus of "Slither" and ended up being like 5 feet or less from Scott as I was thrown over the railing 3. After the show a group of people thought I was the lead singer from Hoobastank for some reason (I don't even think I look like him.) and asked me for my autograph, which I gave them.

Also, it's worth mentioning that I noticed some people filming the show professionally. I'm not entirely sure if it was solely for the purpose of displaying the band on the giant projection screens or if they actually were recording for a DVD or something like that. The band was in top form and the light show was great so it wouldn't surprise me if (they were recording) some of the footage would be part of an official release.

Thanks to Andrew B: Simply the best, energy of the crowd, sound, lights. Especially when Scott made it into the crowd. My second time seeing the band, 15 years old and not one other band I'd rather go see.