It has been a good seventeen years since I last saw Whitesnake grace the stage at Newcastle City Hall, back then the band were supporting their 1987 release, and with Viv Campbell, Adrian Vandenburg and Rudy Sarzo in the band, the show was as slick as one of the videos shot in support of the singles from that particular album but, if my memory hasn't failed over the intervening years, I seem to recall that that particular show left me as the weather outside.  So fast forward to 2004, and with only Tommy Aldridge remaining in the band from the 1987 days, Whitesnake once again hit the stage for what was supposed to be the band's second date on their UK trek, but turned into the debut gig as the previous nights show in Glasgow had been cancelled due to illness befalling Coverdale.

After a short, but enthusiastic, seven song set from opening act, The Quireboys which really only came alive during the final two numbers of the show (Hey You and 7 O'Clock from the debut album) the mighty 'Snake were ready to roll. Opening proceedings with Burn from his Deep Purple days, that then segued into Stormbringer, it was obvious that the band were in good form. Guitarists Doug Aldrich & Reb Beach have all of the ability necessary to reproduce and enhance upon the riffs and solos laid down by the multitude of Whitesnake's former axmen and in the pick-flicking, bass thumping Marco Mendoza they have a man who matches Coverdale in his ability to entertain an audience. With this three pronged axe-attack and Coverdale upfront the band have all of the charisma and stage presence necessary to deliver the raunch and roll of Whitesnake's illustrious back catalogue.

Bad Boys and Love Ain't No Stranger follow up, before the band delve back into that back catalogue to serve up a blistering version of the title track from the 1980 album 'Ready & Willing'. Showing only limited affects of the previous days illness, Coverdale was in fine fettle, chatting with the audience in between songs and as on the 'Monsters Of Rock' tour breaking into unaccompanied versions of  older songs as requested by various punters.

Following solo spots from Doug Aldrich (why is it, when you have two guitarists of the calibre of Beach & Aldrich, does only one get a solo spot?) & Tommy Aldridge, the latter coming during an extended 'Cryin' In The Rain' the Whitesnake Choir takes over its spiritual home as the band dive into Ain't No Love In The Heart of The City. This is truly an awe-inspiring experience as two thousand people sing along in unison and the band simply stand back and watch. With the punters in full vocal mode by now the main set is rounded out with  Don't Break My Heart Again,  'Fool For Your Lovin' &  'Here I Go Again. '

Encores included the obligatory 'Still Of The Night', but by far the more interesting offerings were 'Take Me With You' from the 1978 album 'Trouble' and the final song of the night a totally acapella version of Deep Purple's 'Soldier of Fortune'. With what seems, for now, a stable line up Whitesnake produced a show of the highest quality, that, even given Coverdale's illness, many bands on top form would be unable to match. It surely is the time for Coverdale & current cohorts to write and record a new album. This line up is more than capable of producing a record to match any of the output of previous incarnations of the band and move Whitesnake forward rather than relying on material that is fifteen or twenty years old. Now that would really be something to look forward to.

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