Vie’s Verses – How Vince Neil Ruined This Year’s M3 Festival
Let me preface this post by stating that I am a Vince Neil fan as well as a fan of Motley Crue. The reason I am so critical of Vince (and all of the Crue for that matter) is because I expect only the best from my favorite hard rockers. If you are not going to give your fans only the best, why even bother?
With that in mind, let’s examine this year’s M3 Festival at a 30,000 foot view. From the time Jetboy went on at high noon until the time Kix got off the stage at 6:00 PM, everything had run like a well-oiled machine. I had timed the final acts perfectly. Vince Neil would come on at 6:15 and play until 7:15. Nelson was on the second stage from 7:00 – 7:40. Cinderella was scheduled to play from 7:40 – 8:40, Warrant from 8:40 – 9:40 (on the second stage) and then the Scorpions would close things out.
I had everything timed perfectly, which is necessary when planning how to see all the performers at such a fast moving festival. I would watch Vince until 6:55, run up the hill to see Nelson, get back in time for Cinderella, mad dash it up the hill for Warrant, and be back for The Scorpions. It was possible that I would miss one song of each performer (except Cinderella, because there was no way that I was leaving their set early), but that would be all right.
As I mentioned, the festival was running like clockwork and every band came out at their scheduled time. No band was even one minute late. And then it came time for Vince Neil to take the stage. At 6:15 I sat in my seat and waited for the announcer to scream Vince’s name. At 6:20, I was still waiting to hear that announcement. By 6:25, I thought it was a little odd that Vince had not taken the stage yet. By 6:35, I was thinking, “What the hell?” Finally, at 6:35, Vince took the stage. And when he did, it was a joke. The smoke from the smoke machines (the only act to use one – come on Vince, 1983 was almost 30 years ago) overwhelmed the stage and no one could be seen, not even Vince when he finally came out. In typical Vince fashion he performed old Crue songs, singing every third or fourth word and holding the microphone out to the crowd to sing most of the lyrics.
I’m sorry Vince I thought you were there to perform for us, my bad. As mentioned, I left Vince to see Nelson (I wasn’t the only one – several people tweeted that they were doing the same thing) and was glad to have done so. Nelson came on right at 7 and performed to exactly 7:40. They were exceptional in their timing, just like every other band on the bill. Vince’s performance ended at almost 7:30. So now, while the second stage was still on schedule, the main stage was screwed. After Nelson, I went down to see Cinderella, but thanks to fat Vince being late and messing up the schedule, Cinderella was not able to come on at 7:40 sharp. It was closer to 8 by the time they got on. When they got off it was after 9 and I had to run up to see Warrant, but I had missed most of their set. If Vince Neil could have taken the stage in a timely manner, this problem would not have occurred.
Instead I missed most of Warrant, heading back to see the Scorpions who did not come on stage until after 10 due to the schedule being pushed back. Is Vince so arrogant that he thinks it’s ok to single handedly screw up the precise timing of a festival? Every other performer came out on time and was cognizant of the other acts. Not Vince, he gave them all the proverbial middle finger and pretty much gave it to the fans too. Thanks Vince. I’ll remember that next time you come around in concert. I’ll be late too, by not buying tickets.
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Hard Rock Hideout 
I guess what disappointed me most was all the Crue songs. I understand doing 1 or even 2 of your band’s songs, but when you are performing as a SOLO artist, you should perform your SOLO material.
I didn’t see the whole set…did he even play his latest single (“Tattoos and Tequila”)? Not while I was watching. I would have loved to hear “You’re Invited (But Your Friend Can’t Come)” and some other songs from his first 2 solo records, and expected to hear AT LEAST T&T. I’ve seen Vince before and figured he would do a mostly Motley show, but T&T at the LEAST. Frustrating doesn’t even begin to describe it.
But I agree with Frank, these things never start on time. I wasn’t as upset about that as others were. It’s to be expected.
Maybe Vince Neil had a to go to the bathroom? I know I went very often due to my thirst for beer at M3. Plus, the humidity was quite heavy, thick and evil, so sometimes that can upset one’s stomach… maybe Vince had an upset tummy?
I might be in the “minority” when I say this… I really enjoyed seeing Vince Neil at M3, I sang along to all of his songs with a bunch of fellow lawn creatures… it really did feel like 1987 again. Plus, Vince Neil just seemed very happy to be onstage at M3, the guy looked really psyched and appeared to be having ultra fun.
Still, everyone in attendance at M3 will have a different opinion, which is cool with me.
Stone
Sheesh, I’ve been to hundreds of concerts. I can’t remember any of them starting on time. It’s rock and roll. I’d say you should be pissed at the organizers for putting them so close.
Now, Vince not singing all the words, that is ANNOYING. He has a reputation for doing that these days, I guess. It tells most of us that he either doesn’t give a sh*t, or he simply can’t sing anymore.
Either way, I’d still go see him. I mean, you have to. We’re talking about the guy who sang Knock ‘Em Dead Kid, and Don’t Go Away Mad, Livewire, Girls Girls Girls, etc. As much as it pains me to say, he gets a free pass.