Being a fan of the NWOBHM movement, I am of course familiar with Tygers of Pan Tang and their music. Unfortunately, however, I didn’t start getting into NWOBHM until much later along my Rock and Roll journey. It was such fun to discover the back catalogue once Tygers had come into my crosshairs. And I find their newest outputs just as mesmerizing and magical as that original Wild Cat release. But with my fanship blooming later on, they were a band securely nestled in the “Bucket List” of bands I was killing to see live on stage. Headbangers Open Air Festival gave me the red pen to cross Tygers of Pan Tang off my list!
The Tygers and CGCM Rock Radio
Having exchanged some emails and/or FB messages with a few members of the band over the last couple of years concerning album reviews, best of year placements on my list and of course CGCM Rock Radio for which the guys supplied several radio ID spots for us. Probably the biggest thrill was having current and longest-serving Tygers‘ vocalist Jacopo Meille as a guest on the CGCM Podcast. Co-host Wallygator and I had a great chat with Jack and many laughs. You can listen to that episode via this MixCloud link: CGCM Podcast EP#136-Jacopo Meille (Tygers Of Pan Tang)
Meister Tackles Photography
I was excited for the set as I fiddled with my camera. Having been awarded a photo pass, I would be catching the first three songs of the set from the photo pit as I tried my best to capture the moments. I’m new at the photography game, so hopefully, I’m improving…lol.
The nod was given and the photographers all flooded into the photo pit at the front of the stage. Man, I was both excited and nervous, no idea which of those emotions was winning the fight either. The band hit the stage and I was instantly entranced as I tried to capture them. I clicked away, aiming my lens at lead man and only original member Robb Weir, who was directly in front of me.
Song #2 from the Pit
For the second song, I worked my way over to stage left, snapping away during my journey to that spot. Francesco Marras provided excellent material for an ace photographer through his stances and poses. Unfortunately, I’m not an ace photographer and many of my shots are too embarrassing to post. Between Francesco and vocalist Jacopo Meille at centre stage we found Huw Holding delivering thundering bass lines and sheer joyous smiles. Seated in the back was Craig Ellis, and once again no photos from my camera are fit for publication.
Song #3 Keeps Meister Alive
It was completely song #3 before I realized, I had no idea what the first two songs even had been! I was either so busy capturing that it didn’t sink in or my over-excited mushy brain had already expunged the information. **Note** slow down and enjoy the music as well as the photo-taking dum-dum!
In any case, the third song of the set was “Keeping Me Alive” and what a great track. It has previously been one of those “earworms that won’t go away” as you find yourself randomly running through the chorus in your head throughout the day. I sense this yet again on the horizon after tonight! I don’t even think I took a photo during this song, but I didn’t leave the pit either, enjoying the front row views while rocking out to a fave song served up by a live band that was simply hitting all points!
Happy Birthday!
Jack addressed the Headbangers Open Air Crowd. Telling us of the traffic jam that very nearly derailed their show today. Then he announced it was bass player Huw‘s (no, BTW, it’s not a typo, that’s how he spells it) birthday and dedicated the next song to him. Which he also informed was “White Lines” about Huw‘s favourite….cocaine. Huw looked suitably shocked as Jack laughed and the band launched into the excellent track off The Ritual album.
The Tygers of Pan Tang continued smashing the sun-bleached, beer-soaked Headbangers Open Air crowd with anthem after anthem selected across their years of discography. Tracks like “Gangland“, “Only The Brave“, “Raise Some Hell“, “Damn You“, “A New Heartbeat“, “Suzie Smiled” and more. The final song, as perhaps expected, proved to be “Hellbound” wrapping up a magical experience for me that went by altogether too fkn fast!
Aftermath
I need a beer! Standing around in a kind of mystical daze, beer in hand and chatting with friends about the set. I was simply reeling. Tygers did well better than I even anticipated for me. Such a highlight. After my requisite three songs from the photo pit, it was off to the merch table Batman! And lucky I did when I did. I bought the final copy of The Ritual vinyl they had. In fact, the guy even had to untape it from the table, slightly damaging it with tape marks and creases in the process. I didn’t even care. It gives it character I guess!
Meet & Greet Signing Session
I marked the time for the guys’ signing session and was in line and waiting a bit early. I passed down the line starting with Huw, quickly thanking him for the show and letting him know that I was here from Toronto and loved it. We were able to chat for a few minutes since there was a hold-up of line movement ahead of me. No problem here😁. Since Huw has joined the band after The Ritual, he didn’t sign the vinyl. Francesco even seemed to remember CGCM Rock Radio when I mentioned it, so that was cool as well. But of course, Jack smiled as I handed him my CGCM Rock Radio card. I’m quite sure he remembers our podcast chat, which is always cool to a fanboy! Drummer Craig Ellis was eager to chat and all smiles as I thanked him for such a great show.
I also gave a CGCM card to Robb who held down the end of the conga line of autographing. I only had two left so I couldn’t give out to the whole band….doh! Robb was so cool. Such a nice personable dude and that came across right away. He immediately asked if we need any more spots for the station……”uh, hell yes we do!” Then almost as an afterthought, he’s like “wait, you’re from Canada?” Yessir and I just saw my first and hellishly long overdue Tygers Of Pan Tang concert! I asked if we could get a photo afterwards and he told me to hang on a minute while they moved through the autograph meet and greet line. I was able to get a photo with the whole band and it’s been my Facebook cover photo ever since!
Now, that I’ve got the taste of Tygers live, I’m searching dates and flights like a maniac…..I will have that once more, twice more or a hundred!
TYGERS OF PAN TANG OFFICIAL WEBSITE / FACEBOOK
Cheers,
The Meister
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