Last Tuesday, Tyketto & Core Leoni took the stage at the Kantine [Yard Club] in Cologne. Under the banner of “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 ‘𝗻’ 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿,” both bands took the stage for a double-headlining show. A lineup that promised quite a spectacle even before the show began.
Upon arrival, it turned out the stage was packed, because a support act had even been added to the evening’s lineup: Sargeant Steel, a classic rock band from Germany and Austria. Personally, I thought adding this band was completely unnecessary. Sure, they were excited to open the show, but as a member of the audience, I certainly wasn’t looking forward to it.
Core Leoni
Lucky for me, it didn’t take long before Core Leoni took the stage by storm. And I can be very brief and to the point about their performance: it was a steamroller of perfection that swept right over you. What a blast—from the very first notes right through to the final chord. Core Leoni had a mission, and that was to unleash some unadulterated, badass rock ’n’ roll on the crowd. With immense passion, as if the band members were still in their early 20s.
This “side project” by guitarist Leo Leoni is taking on almost eerie proportions. The mix of old Gotthard songs and Core Leoni’s original material fits together seamlessly. And the fire and passion with which these songs are played are on an incredibly high level.
pure perfection
Singer Eugent Bushpepa has a voice that’s a perfect match for this high-energy powerhouse. Drummer Alex Motta and bassist Mila Merker lay down an incredibly solid foundation, while Leo and the other guitarist, Igor Gianola, conjure up one killer riff and flawless solo after another from their guitars. Highlight was the doubled solo in “Firedance’’, were both Leo and Igor played the exact same flawless solo parts.
Core Leoni came, saw, and instantly won over the audience. Any downsides? Well, the set could have lasted another hour, because other than that, as a music lover, you couldn’t complain about a thing.
This band shows—without any fuss—exactly what a great rock ’n’ roll show should be like.
I’m already looking forward to the next show by this top-notch act.
Setlist Core Leoni:
Walk On Water
Standing In The Light
Downtown
Generation Rock
Howling At The Moon
Sister Moon
Make My Day
In The Name
Let It Be
Like It Or Not
Firedance
Mountain Mama
Here Comes The Heat
Tyketto
And then it was Tyketto’s turn to take the stage after this musical onslaught. Not the easiest task, in my opinion. Whereas Core Leoni draws from a harder, heavier style, Tyketto leans more toward melodic rock.
The sound was spot-on right from the start for Mr. Danny Vaughn and company as well. The set opener “Rescue Me” from the album ‘Strength In Numbers’ and “Wings” from the debut album ‘Don’t Come Easy’ promised that Tyketto’s set would be a treat as well.
absolutely top-notch
Whereas the guys from the previous band made full use of the stage, Tyketto’s performance, however, comes across as somewhat static. Bassist Chris Childs and keyboardist/guitarist Ged Rylands play their instruments flawlessly, but their stage presence is a bit lackluster. Guitarist and youngster Harry Scott Elliot, on the other hand, exudes energy and is simply a gifted and talented string player.
Danny himself has stage presence to spare, and his voice seems to get better and better with each passing year. This man clearly takes good care of his instrument and keeps his body in great shape.
Despite the excellent newer songs, there’s clearly a difference in the audience’s reaction to the band’s older songs. I think the new material still needs a bit of time to mature; musically, what we’re hearing is absolutely top-notch, but the compositions from the first two albums still stand out. And I think the band is well aware of that, because the vast majority of the setlist consists of songs from those first two albums.
In any case, I think we were treated to an evening of music that came very close to the perfect musical night for a Hard ’n Heavy melodic rocker. A wonderful lineup featuring two top-notch bands!!
Setlist Tyketto:
Rescue Me
Wings
Burning Down Inside
Higher Than High
Meet Me In The Night
Reach
Closer To The Sun
Seasons
We Rise
Standing Alone
Lay Your Body Down
Sail Away
Forever Young
Report & Images by Raymond Helebrand
