Ted Nugent made the proclamation that his band, consisting of Derek St. Holmes, Wild Mick Brown, and Greg Smith, is the tightest band in the world. After witnessing the show it is really difficult to argue with that statement. Ted told the audience, "I didn’t invent perfection, but tonight I’m going to perfect that perfection." From a technical standpoint, the band was spot-on. There were no noticeable hiccups or errors. The mix sounded excellent and I was blown away by Derek St. Holmes. This was the first time I had seen Nugent since he reunited with Derek and I was really interested to hear that voice from all of the classic Nugent tunes. He did not disappoint me. Derek St. Holmes sounded phenomenal…I truly couldn’t differentiate between his live vocal now and what you hear on the radio every time they play "Stranglehold".

As expected, Ted Nugent was never at a loss for words as he engaged the audience. Topics of discussion ranged from Detroit’s recent bankruptcy to the NSA spying on our phone conversations. At one point he asked the crowd if any of them purchased their tickets for tonight’s show with food stamps. A few people (probably having had several adult beverages) yelled out, "yeah!" Without missing a beat, Ted replied; "You soulless pieces of shit-you need to leave here and move to Canada-we don’t want you." It wasn’t all about politics though, Uncle Ted also paid tribute to his Motown influences and funk brothers by throwing in a little blues ditty in the middle of "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang" (the greatest love song ever written). He talked about Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters as well as Little Richard; having all been cited by Ted as his major influences. His mantra for the evening and for the tour – "Don’t forget where you come from." The setlist really echoed the mantra as it was weighted by many classics such as "Hey Baby", "Great White Buffalo", and "Stranglehold".

There was no denying the energy and intensity emitting from Ted and the boys, but after a half-century of touring, swinging on vines, jumping off of Marshalls, and riding buffaloes out on stage, Ted’s knees are basically shot and his actions on stage have mellowed over recent years. Nonetheless, he manages to pull off an excellent show, leaves it all on the stage, and his musicianship is unmatched. It was an excellent show and I felt like the band had put on a clinic. Several times during the set Ted referenced how so many bands nowadays never really perfect their instrument and never rehearse or practice. The entire set was performed as if it were a well oiled machine. Song after song and solo after solo just poured out of the group effortlessly. We were all witnesses of these veteran players at the top of their game.

Setlist:

• "Gonzo"
• "Just What the Doctor Ordered"
• "Wango Tango"
• "Turn It Up"
• "Free-for-all"
• "Stormtroopin"
• "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang" (Blues Jam)
• "Live It Up"
• "Queen of the Forest"
• "Fred Bear"
• "Hey Baby"
• "Cat Scratch Fever"
• "Stranglehold"

• "Great White Buffalo"