Geoff Tate still got it

As a Queensrÿche fan living in the Ruhr area, you experience a fabulous start to the 2025 concert year: While Todd La Torre, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and Co. graced Bochum with a fantastic gig as part of their Origins tour on 7 February, Geoff Tate visited Lünen on 15 February.

Even if one generally refuses to draw comparisons between these shows, one inevitably does so anyway. In one respect, Tate is clearly ahead - without any effort on his part: the Lükaz is a much more pleasant location than the Matrix. Even audience members who only arrived shortly before the main act went on stage were easily able to get a very good spot. Those who arrive later in Bochum usually don't get to see too much of the artists on stage.

The evening in Lünen started with a big surprise: I hadn't checked in advance who would be supporting Tate. To be honest, I hadn't reckoned with a solo artist entertaining the audience with just an acoustic guitar. Luckily, James Keegan, an Irishman from Cork, has a fantastic voice, so his gig was quite entertaining. However, I would have preferred him to talk a little less and play even more, but in the end it's a matter of taste. 

I already knew Geoff Tate's setlist. Apart from three songs that were played in a row right after the opener »Empire«, the maestro only played material from the first five Queensrÿche releases, which of course outshine everything that came afterwards. You really can't go wrong with that.

Since I had secured a place in the third row, which meant about 1.5 metres in front of Tate, I was able to see one of my all-time favourite singers almost skin-to-skin. Vocally, the now 66-year-old was 100% convincing. Tate is still able to perform classics like »I Don't Believe in Love«, »Silent Lucidity« or »Take Hold of the Flame« at a world-class level.

Furthermore, he is simply an extroverted front man who also has a lot to offer visually - whether you like his style or not. I felt very entertained for almost 2 hours. And I had the impression that Tate himself enjoyed the evening very much - he was in a good mood and also had some things to say that made listening worthwhile.

I would also like to emphasise that his band, a kind of world selection, which includes three guitarists, also did a solid job. The fans in Lünen honoured the excellent performance with repeated rounds of applause that spoke of genuine enthusiasm. 

In short: if you have the chance to see Geoff Tate in the near future, you should definitely seize it. In the Ruhr area, the next opportunity will be at the Rock Hard Festival at the beginning of June. I will certainly not miss this gig.