Stryper @ Bridgeway Hotel, Pooraka SA 9/3/2023
The Yellow And Black Attack that is Stryper rocked the Bridgeway Hotel last night in front of a diehard and enthusiastic Adelaide crowd. A lot has been said about Stryper but the simple fact is this band is forty years young and still going strong playing one hell of show. Bringing all the elements of an arena rock show to blow the roof off the Bridgeway Hotel, no doubt the naysayers can say whatever they like but there were a lot of things to be impressed about.
They played all the songs you would expect from their distinguished career, front man Michael Sweet engages the crowd and was full of gratitude for their support and to top that off they literally walked off stage at the end and headed to the merch stand to meet the fans, sign autographs and pose for photos. Not too many international bands give back to their fans like Stryper did last night.
Stryper looked and sounded great charging out of the blocks with rampaging openers In God We Trust and Revelation. As Sweet acknowledged it was a short flight here and that it was ‘an honour and a privilege’ to be playing songs from their fourteen albums spanning forty years. More Than A Man and Surrender were great as Sweet took a moment to reflect on the big hair, tight pants, lip stick and glitter but made it clear they weren’t a glam band.
As Stryper worked their way through the back catalogue with the likes of Calling On You, Sorry, All For One and Always There For You Sweet did point out that their new songs are as good as their old songs playing Divider that went down a treat. Stryper played their songs with precision and there was nothing that looked out of place. For the younger under eighteens in the crowd this would have been another fantastic lesson in rock appreciation. Soldiers Under Command and To Hell With The Devil finished the main set in epic fashion.
The crowd cheered and chanted for more and the band obliged for a couple more with the encore highlight being Sing-Along Song. The important take home message came from Danny from Silverback Touring as the band left the stage encouraging the crowd to keep supporting these tours by buying tickets in advance and through purchasing band merchandise, particularly if we want Stryper to return to celebrate their fortieth anniversary celebrations next year. Great night and a great opportunity for the fans to mix with the band after the show.
Live Review By Rob Lyon