Live Review: Mike Tramp’s White Lion Roars Into Brisbane

ARTIST: MIKE TRAMP’S WHITE LION
DATE: JANUARY 29TH 2025
VENUE: THE BRIGHTSIDE, BRISBANE
REVIEWER: MERT TYSON
PHOTOGRAPHERS: MERT TYSON PHOTOGRAPHY AND ANDREW TREADWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

And just like that, I was whisked away to 1987. I could practically smell the vinyl seats of my mate’s car as ‘Pride’ blaring through the speakers during another epic road trip. And ‘Wait’? Oh, that was the anthem echoing through the local pinball arcade, amidst a sea of big hair, denim jeans and leather jackets.

The last time I saw Mike Tramp was at the @therepublicbar in Hobart 2004 when he was a fellow Tassie resident (well I think he still was? Short lived!) smashing out some Lion classics! Which was an awesome event considering bands touring back then to Tassie was a little challenging. Fast forward 2025 and once again I get to see Mike Tramp in another triumphant return to Australia thanks to the Danny & the Silverback crew. Let me tell you Red Light City Brisbane’s Brightside was on fire last night! Tramp performed a full set of White Lion material, something that hadn’t been done in 20 years and let me tell you it was fucking sensational!

Let’s just pause and pay respect to one of Australia’s most outstanding rock icons Mr Rusty Brown from Electric Mary. With a history spanning 20 years and supporting the likes of Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, Glenn Hughes and Whitesnake to name a few this man earns and deserves respect! So, it was awesome having Rusty kick off the night with an acoustic solo that was both raw and truly amazing, setting the perfect tone for White Lion. With a wink and a cheeky grin, he joked and essentially took the piss! Threw in some tales from Electric Mary’s career, and shared his love for Enuff Z’nuff honouring Donnie Vie, in Rusty’s opinion the best “Hair Metal” band with debate from the hecklers! His humble demeanour and charismatic stage presence had the audience in tears and that voice wow! Pitch perfect and faultless, Rusty man, you rock brother. It was effortless playing with a highlight joined on stage by fellow Electric Mary guitar slinger Pete Robinson to shut down an outstanding masterclass of musicianship and true homegrown talent. Proving that sometimes, all you need is a guitar, a sense of humour, and a whole lot of heart to win over a room full of rock fans.

Time for the mane event: Mr. Mike Tramp! From the moment he stepped on stage, it was undeniable that he was the mane attraction, ready and determined to reconnect with his audience His charismatic presence and powerful voice roared through the venue, reminding everyone why White Lion so made their beloved mark in rock history. The setlist was a dream for long-time fans, featuring iconic hits like “Hungry,” “Lonely Nights,” “Tell Me,” “Broken Heart,” “Lights and Thunder,” “Wait,” “Little Fighter,” and encore of “Lady of the Valley”.

The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the emotional rendition of “When the Children Cry.” The crowd sang along, creating a powerful moment of unity and reflection. Tramp’s heartfelt delivery and genuine connection with the audience made this performance truly unforgettable.

The band, consisting of seasoned musicians, delivered an exceptional performance that brought the classic White Lion sound to life. Marcus Nand’s guitar work during White Lion’s live performance was nothing short of mesmerizing. Each solo he played was a testament to his exceptional talent and added a fresh yet faithful edge to the classic White Lion sound. Jerry Best (Bass) and Brentt Arcement (Drums) produced a tight rhythmic backbone. Brentt’s drumming was a powerful force, driving each song forward with precision and energy, while Jerry’s bass lines added depth and groove, creating a seamless blend of rhythm and melody. Tramp’s band were outstanding and the performance was a masterclass and doing justice to the legendary White Lion legacy.

Mike toyed and played with the crowd, joking about how old we’re all getting, clearly enjoying the experience as much as the fans. He threw in a few KISS jokes, cheekily admitting he didn’t put the “X” in sex but proudly boasting his status as a very handsome frontman. While introducing the outstanding musicians beside him, he did so with the grace of a lion leading his pride.

With heartfelt respect and integrity, Mike expressed his gratitude to Brisbane, appreciating the fact that the band can still tour and do what they love. He humbly thanked the fans for their unwavering support, making it clear that their contributions are the lifeblood of the band’s continued success.

The night was a true celebration, a testament to the enduring bond between White Lion and their dedicated pride of fans. Again, the quality of musicianship on display was second to none, outstanding, a perfect performance from start to finish. Australia you are in for a real treat!

Thank you, Mike Tramp! Danny – Silverback, Rusty, Pete, Brentt, Jerry, Marcus, Hear2Zen, the Brightside crew and all involved in a fantastic night of Classic Rock!

Mert 🦁

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