Over the last fifteen years or so there have been some pretty killer co-headlining tours: KISS/Def Leppard, KISS/Motley Crue, Motley Crue/Aerosmith, Judas Priest/Whitesnake, Poison/Cinderella, Scorpions/Queensryche and so on. The list seems endless at times. And that list is about to get another notch on the belt with Scorpions and Whitesnake teaming up for a 2022 North American run.
Both groups’ legendary status is unquestionable. Both originating in the 70’s and having massive success in the 80’s and early 90’s. Both outfits have also released pretty damn good material in the past two decades (Whitesnake more so, but that’s a different discussion). Which can’t be said for all their peers. So it only makes sense that these two giants of hard rock excellence should tour together. A perfect, complimentary evening of wailing vox, thundering drums and guitar playing so killer you’ll need a plastic surgeon to save your face. We’re talkin’ Joel Hoekstra, Reb Beach and Matthius Jabs in one evening, on the biggest of stages. That’s pretty big incentive to catch this bill.
On the other hand, there is a chance of disappointment. I’ve seen the Scorpions twice. Two different bills and tour names. Same set list. It was really disappointing. And if they’re just going to play the same set list they’ve been playing for the past seven years, plus a little added from the new album, I don’t know if it’s worth the price of admission. They even had a drummer change, James Kottack to Mikey Dee. Yet, still the same set list. Yes, you expect the same final six songs or so. The big hits that will always be there. Any band of Whitesnake or Scorpions stature will have that. But It’d be great if they dropped the 20 min 70’s material mix in favor for some heavy tracks from ‘Crazy World’ or ‘Face the Heat.’ Maybe even something from the highly underrated ‘Unbreakable.’
Whitesnake are on what’s billed as their ‘Farewell’ tour. Coverdale’s got a little extra help on the vocals this time around. It brings the number of band members up to seven. Which is fine honestly, he’s in his 70’s. And the band does downtune a little. But it’s still played clean with loads of energy. It’d be killer if they played some tracks from ‘Good To Be Bad’ or ‘Forevermore.’ Something off the cuff. Either way, they’ll bring it. They always do. Dates are posted below.
Scorpions / Whitesnake / Thundermother 2022 Tour Dates
Aug. 21 – Toronto, Ontario @Budweiser Stage
Aug. 24 – Quebec City, Quebec @ Centre Videotron
Aug. 27 – Montreal, Quebec @ Bell Center
Aug. 30 – Detroit, Mich. @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
Sept. 01 – Rosemont, Ill. @ Allstate Arena
Sept. 05 – Atlantic City, N.J. @ Borgata Casino*
Sept. 07 – Belmont Park, N.Y. @ UBS Arena
Sept. 09 – Mashantucket, Ct. @ Foxwoods Casino*
Sept. 12 – Hollywood, Fla. @ Hard Rock Live
Sept. 14 – Tampa, Fla. @ Amalie Arena
Sept. 17 – Houston, Texas @ Toyota Center
Sept. 19 – El Paso, Texas @ Don Haskins Center
Sept. 21 – Tulsa, Okla. @ BOK Arena
Sept. 24 – San Antonio, Texas @ Freeman Coliseum
Sept. 27 – Dallas, Texas @ American Airlines Center
Sept. 29 – Denver, Colo. @ Ball Arena
Oct. 01 – San Diego, Calif. @ Viejas Arena
Oct. 04 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Forum
Oct. 07 – Fresno, Calif. @ Save Mart Center
Oct. 09 – Portland, Ore. @ Moda Center
Oct. 13 – Spokane, Wash. @ Spokane Arena
Oct. 15 – Tacoma, Wash. @ Tacoma Dome
Oct. 18 – Oakland, Calif. @ Oakland Coliseum
Oct. 21 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Mandalay Bay
