Thursday 9th June

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - Rock Stage (4/5)

This is a review I never thought I’d write. I was never a Joan Jett fan and I more or less went to her gig because I thought I’d just catch a few songs and then leave. I mean, she is a legend and you’d really have to see her play, just a little, now that we both were at the festival.

Much to my surprise, I didn’t just watch a few songs, I stayed for the whole concert, and even more so, I really, really liked it. So how come?

Well, first of all, the passion and the pure love for playing was contagious. You really could feel the commitment and the emotions from the stage. Joan herself was all smiles and her band mates looked genuinely happy as well.

The crowd in front of Rock Stage must have been one of the largest I’ve ever seen and if the reaction from the crowd is anything to go by, they all loved her. Me, I was just struck with awe after just a few songs. Songs that I normally don’t really like.

The set was mixed by high octane versions of old Runaways stuff like ”Cherry Bomb” and ”Drive Me Wild” and her solo stuff. The killer opening with ”Bad Reputation”set the standard for her concert and hits like ”Do You Wanna Touch” and, of course, ”I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” really brought the house down. A killer cover of Sweet’s ”AC/DC” finished the gig, a perfect ending to one of SRF’s highlights this year.

The only reason she didn’t get a full five star rate here is because of her drummer, could be one of the crappiest drummers I have ever seen and mind you, I have seen Poison live… Still, hats off to a real genuine and, now in her fifties, very beautiful rock chick.

Am I a fan now?

Check them out :
http://www.joanjett.com

Review : Jon Wilmenius

Photos : Tallee Savage
www.savagebeauty.se

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