Whitesnake kicked off their 2022 trek at the 3Arena in Dublin on Tuesday night (10th May), with a hits-packed set that left the crowd in rapture from the off. Billed as their ‘Farewell Tour’, the hard rock heroes were ably backed by Foreigner and Europe, for a night bursting with classic rock staples.
Photo: Darren McLoughlin.
Led by incomparable rock legend David Coverdale, it was a triumphant homecoming for not just the singer (whose grandmother hails from the city), but latest addition and “our newest snake, or should I say 'snakette”, bassist Tanya O’Callaghan, who comes from just up the road in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
With the band camped up in the Irish capital in the days leading up to the show, Coverdale had been excitedly tweeting in the run up to the momentous final kick off. Seen strolling through the city’s Temple Bar, the singer also shared shots from the band’s full production rehearsal which took place the day before the show.
Opening up the evening, Europe launched into latest album title track ‘Walk the Earth’ before unveiling a set packed mostly with staples from their singles catalogue; from a storming ‘Rock the Night’ to a rousing ‘Cherokee’. Acknowledging the end of their pandemic-enforced layoff, band leader Joey Tempest proclaimed; “it’s great to be out and about again!”
With a glitzy production to rival even the headliners, Foreigner’s electrifying set lit up the 3Arena, led by dynamo front man Kelly Hansen. The loudest cheer however was reserved for “the man who started it all”, founder Mick Jones, who joined the band for the encores. Raising the roof and proving an early evening highlight, their flawless run through anthem ‘I Want to Know What Love is’ saw the arena become a dazzling spectacle, with the crowd holding their illuminated phones aloft in what was a truly special moment.
However this was Whitesnake’s night, and with a tour that will see Coverdale round out five decades in music, the charismatic head snake made the most of the evening, leading the seven-piece behemoth from the front.
Prancing, preening, posing, and teasing from the lip of the stage as only David Coverdale can, the engaging frontman proved the perfect ringleader, as opener ‘Bad Boys’ gave way to the anthemic ‘Slide it In’ and a storming ‘Love Ain’t No Stranger’.
With a party atmosphere in the arena, Coverdale greeted the crowd saying; “Thank you so very much indeed. How lovely to be with you Dublin to start this farewell tour. Please forgive me if I lose it!”
Taking a moment to introduce new addition O'Callaghan, the incredible support for whom was palpable in the room, he continued; “As you know we have a lass over here from Mullingar! It’s about time we had a pure Irish woman in this band!”
Of course the evening wasn’t just a about the two of them, with the newest Whitesnake configuration making its debut to the world. Also under the spotlight was keyboardist, guitarist and backing vocalist Dino Jelusick, who took some of the heavy lifting from the boss, trading lead vocal lines and providing high harmonies. A deft move from Coverdale, the Croation proved a valuable asset to the band.
With the night progressing, changing gear and going back to the blues and their early years, ‘Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City’ brought a welcome break before a run of hits that included ‘Fool For Your Loving’, ‘Is This Love’, and a particularly welcome ‘Cryin’ in the Rain’.
With the evening coming to an end, all that was left was a celebratory run through 'Here I Go Again' before the encores of 'Still of the Night', and unexpected closer 'Take Me With You'.
Taking to Twitter once again following the end of the show, David gushed; "THANK YOU, DUBLIN!!! You brought tears to an old snake's eyes. Blessings on you and yours for an unforgettable evening in the company friends. The Irish Whitesnake choir was in exceptional form!"
Whitesnake’s ‘Greatest Hits’ remixed update is available from 20th May 2022. Visit the Whitesnake store at Townsend music for all things Whitesnake.
With the band camped up in the Irish capital in the days leading up to the show, Coverdale had been excitedly tweeting in the run up to the momentous final kick off. Seen strolling through the city’s Temple Bar, the singer also shared shots from the band’s full production rehearsal which took place the day before the show.
Opening up the evening, Europe launched into latest album title track ‘Walk the Earth’ before unveiling a set packed mostly with staples from their singles catalogue; from a storming ‘Rock the Night’ to a rousing ‘Cherokee’. Acknowledging the end of their pandemic-enforced layoff, band leader Joey Tempest proclaimed; “it’s great to be out and about again!”
With a glitzy production to rival even the headliners, Foreigner’s electrifying set lit up the 3Arena, led by dynamo front man Kelly Hansen. The loudest cheer however was reserved for “the man who started it all”, founder Mick Jones, who joined the band for the encores. Raising the roof and proving an early evening highlight, their flawless run through anthem ‘I Want to Know What Love is’ saw the arena become a dazzling spectacle, with the crowd holding their illuminated phones aloft in what was a truly special moment.
However this was Whitesnake’s night, and with a tour that will see Coverdale round out five decades in music, the charismatic head snake made the most of the evening, leading the seven-piece behemoth from the front.
Prancing, preening, posing, and teasing from the lip of the stage as only David Coverdale can, the engaging frontman proved the perfect ringleader, as opener ‘Bad Boys’ gave way to the anthemic ‘Slide it In’ and a storming ‘Love Ain’t No Stranger’.
With a party atmosphere in the arena, Coverdale greeted the crowd saying; “Thank you so very much indeed. How lovely to be with you Dublin to start this farewell tour. Please forgive me if I lose it!”
Taking a moment to introduce new addition O'Callaghan, the incredible support for whom was palpable in the room, he continued; “As you know we have a lass over here from Mullingar! It’s about time we had a pure Irish woman in this band!”
Of course the evening wasn’t just a about the two of them, with the newest Whitesnake configuration making its debut to the world. Also under the spotlight was keyboardist, guitarist and backing vocalist Dino Jelusick, who took some of the heavy lifting from the boss, trading lead vocal lines and providing high harmonies. A deft move from Coverdale, the Croation proved a valuable asset to the band.
With the night progressing, changing gear and going back to the blues and their early years, ‘Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City’ brought a welcome break before a run of hits that included ‘Fool For Your Loving’, ‘Is This Love’, and a particularly welcome ‘Cryin’ in the Rain’.
With the evening coming to an end, all that was left was a celebratory run through 'Here I Go Again' before the encores of 'Still of the Night', and unexpected closer 'Take Me With You'.
Taking to Twitter once again following the end of the show, David gushed; "THANK YOU, DUBLIN!!! You brought tears to an old snake's eyes. Blessings on you and yours for an unforgettable evening in the company friends. The Irish Whitesnake choir was in exceptional form!"
Whitesnake’s ‘Greatest Hits’ remixed update is available from 20th May 2022. Visit the Whitesnake store at Townsend music for all things Whitesnake.
